Clockwork Starter

[springy]

spotted on ebay 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lister-TS-TR-Recoil-starter-motor-Marine-stationary-engine-Industrial/264196240432?hash=item3d8352b430:g:5VIAAOSwVbhcZTtG:rk:26:pf:0

 

springy

[Boater Sam]

Excellent idea but very expensive. Not much use in a narrowboat with an engine such as a BMC or small Japanese as there is usually not enough room for the winder.

[roland elsdon]

Had one for years on Thaxted. Meant either of us could start boat and move singlehanded. Prior to that is Mrs E wanted to move the boat i had to hand start if for her. Would love another.

note it says it may not work

do not buy it and try and repair 

 

[NB Esk]

These were fitted to generators at a hastily set up camp in Northern Ireland back in the early seventies, they always started.  There's a small viewing window to see if they're wound or not, the winding key fitted into that right angled boss at the rear and the small lever engaged the gear with the flywheel.  Never had one in bits but was told the spring took the form of spring steel washers that were dished in form, these were arranged along the centre housing and faced each other, giving an incredibly strong force.

 

 

[BEngo]

Bloody dangerous things if you are not careful to ensure they are only wound up just before they are needed. If wound up they need to be fitted to an engine to unwind them as releasing the spring without an engine usually results in destructive auto dismantling.  They cannot safely be dismantled if wound up, so if faulty and wound up they are best encased in concrete.

N

[billh]

We have a much bigger version of one of those. It's off a Ruston 6YC that powered a  Sykes water pump. It's the size of a 7inch  CAV electric starter  with a winder mechanism on the back and I have no intention of trying to dismantle it.

[roland elsdon]

Ours you pressed a tiny button on the side then wound the square with a half inch drive, then pulled the lever down with the engine compressors off.  We always wound the handle first cos starting was first time no rrrrrrrr ing