Copybell--
The ONLY time my engine failed to start on the first compression stroke was when the head temperature was below 50 degrees. It fired on the second or third stroke then(just before I had one) and ran but it was protesting. I tried WD-40, but found the volitiles must hang up in the air cleaner. It's a pain to have to pull the cleaner to start EVERY morning....this is a little more than a hobby, here.
The ether goes well through the air cleaner and I've never heard a knock UNLESS I release the valve too soon. THREE fires of the injector before a compression stroke must dampen the ether some and reduce it's ability to stretch parts. It chugs to full rpm in three seconds or so without fail, period.
I have one breaker that runs about 300 watts of lights that I flip within a few seconds of startup. Just a little load helps the exhaust clear up faster and it settle down to work. Four more breakers, in the main building, lead to recepticals that various loads are plugged into by short cords taken from the main breaker panel. (I *can* expain what I did if anyone wants to know)
I usually let the engine run for three minutes or so then put the heaviest load it's going to take all day on it. That's the chest freezer that pegs the Kill-a-Watt when it first starts up. It needs all the help it can get to start, but drops down to the 375 watt range once going. Then I add in the computer room which has a small camper fridge to the circuit and can hear the Lister change tone again....a little louder and more work-like. The next two circuits are light-weights and don't add anything to the engine tone until I start a drill press or small compressor. I don't see exhaust smoke until after the (cheaper built than normal) ST head starts to buzz with overload.
Quinn-- Propane would probably work, but as long as the ether is so dependable and easy I'll keep using it. I DO want to do a propane injector system on mine. I have gas piped to within a couple feet already.
I find my desire to experiment declines with temperatures and the realization of my dependance on reliability.
We need a report on the glow plug....the actual effort to turn the crank is NOT the problem with cold starting, just the firing of the fuel in a cold chamber. I bet ten seconds of glow plug will light it off like its in Bombay in July!