Electric engine stop device? Do they exist?

skyflyer

skyflyer

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The boat has a pull to stop handle which via cable pulls a lever to release compression in the engine and stop it

For various reasons that I won't bore you with it needs to be replaced and moved which is presenting difficulty due to the bend radii required for its new location

Is there some form of electrical solenoid and push button device that I can fit instead? If so where do I purchase, what are they called and are there any pitfalls?

Thanks in anticipation for any advice or relevant experience
 
skyflyer said:
The boat has a pull to stop handle which via cable pulls a lever to release compression in the engine and stop it

For various reasons that I won't bore you with it needs to be replaced and moved which is presenting difficulty due to the bend radii required for its new location

Is there some form of electrical solenoid and push button device that I can fit instead? If so where do I purchase, what are they called and are there any pitfalls?

Thanks in anticipation for any advice or relevant experience
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Unlikely I would have though that your stop handle decompresses the engine. using the decompressor to stop an engine is not generally advised.
More likely I would have tough to have operated on the fuel system either by shutting the governor down or simply cutting the fuel supply.

There are two possible solutions for you that immediately come to mind.

One is a normally solenoid valve in the fuel supply which closes when energised via a simple push button....

The other is a normally closed solenoid valve which opens when energised .... by turning the "ignition" switch on.
When the ignition switch is turned off it closes! .... Just like the stop solenoid valve built in to the injection pump in my diesel car. It opens when I switch on. It closes and stops the engine when i switch off.

Id go with the first of those two options .....
 
Yes - lots of more modern engines now use a solenoid for this job (though personally I'd prefer a cable unless I had fitting problems like you do).

Unlike Vic fitting an electrically-operated valve in the fuel line (though it would work) I'd look for a suitable solenoid to pull your existing stop lever. A search for "engine stop solenoid" ought to find plenty of them, though they'll be expressed in terms of engine models rather than dimensions. Perhaps a newer version of your engine uses one, and it will fit on the same mounts with some minor mods? Otherwise go to parts suppliers like RS or Farnell to buy a general purpose solenoid with appropriate strength and throw.

Pete
 
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Admit I assumed it was a decompression lever but whatever it does do long as I can get a solenoid to do the same action then it should work!

Although a cable system has a certain theoretical mechanical reliability it is in reality already so stiff that slighter users have trouble shutting off the engine so a push button or key switch arrangement would be better for sure.

It has to be moved due to resiting a Raymarine wheel pilot to move the motor away from the binnacle compass which is un-compensatable due to strong magnets in the motor - a subject of many previous threads here!
 
Doubt you will be able to fit a solenoid to operate the fuel shutoff without altering the brackets etc. Most cable ones go to the pump and there is no room for a solenoid there. The solenoid on my Nanni operates a lever that is above the pump where there is space.

As suggested, look to see whether there is a solenoid operated version of your engine to see if you can adapt the parts, although you will probably need to wire it to a dedicated switch. Otherwise consider relocating the pull control to a different location where you can get a good run - does not have to be at the binnacle, although that is the most convenient. They are often in lockers or even inside the companionway.
 
TThe problem with an electric one is it needs to be mounted on the engine, or injection pump. the real problem will be getting the correct throw or pull length, so it sits on the run stop off, and the solenoid fully pulls in when in stop mode, without either straining the pump lever or not pulling it enough to stop the engine.

Also be aware they draw a high pulling current which is reduced to a holding amount when fully in. The pulling coil is not continuously rated, so will burn out if the core doesn't hit the end stop.

If there is a manufacturers version , buy that, though they are usually outrageously expensive.

the pic shows one way of mounting one on the outside of the pump to reach levers at the back. (Sabre 150)

Also consider

1 mounting the manual cable else where
2 a bell crank system and 2 cables
 
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If you can't find a purpose made one it may be that a door actuator for central
door locking would work. They only cost a few quid and may be strong enough. Just a thought.
 
Advantage of a manual engine stop is that even if somthing goes wrong with cable you can just go into engine compartment and operate the stop control.
Problem with an electric solenoid -switch off engine off is if you have some kind of electrical failure engine cannot start and run even if there is a possibility of live firing the starter with jump leads , borrowed battery or similar.
Remember diesel engine does not need electrics to run.
 
ffiill said:
Advantage of a manual engine stop is that even if somthing goes wrong with cable you can just go into engine compartment and operate the stop control.
Problem with an electric solenoid -switch off engine off is if you have some kind of electrical failure engine cannot start and run even if there is a possibility of live firing the starter with jump leads , borrowed battery or similar.
Remember diesel engine does not need electrics to run.
Click to expand...

An advantage of the first type I described ie normally open/ energised to stop is that it does nor require a power supply for the engine to run ( provided you can start it :( )
Youll find such a system on some Volvo Penta engines. Where they have a key switch the stop solenoid can be energised by turning the key to the "stop" position.


The mechanical system can always be retained for emergency use should the electrics fail while the engine is running.

Even my car has an emergency stop lever although I am not so sure that its mentioned in the owners manual.
 
VicS said:
An advantage of the first type I described ie normally open/ energised to stop is that it does nor require a power supply for the engine to run ( provided you can start it :( )
Click to expand...

Mine's like that, but it does need a power supply to stop it. About two or three times a year there'll be someone who will kick the key to off, despite the key being protected by a hefty roll bar, so that pressing the stop button doesn't work.

Very simple to flick the key back on and press the button, once you know what the cause is. :)
 
ffiill said:
Advantage of a manual engine stop is that even if somthing goes wrong with cable you can just go into engine compartment and operate the stop control.
Problem with an electric solenoid -switch off engine off is if you have some kind of electrical failure engine cannot start and run even if there is a possibility of live firing the starter with jump leads , borrowed battery or similar.
Remember diesel engine does not need electrics to run.
Click to expand...

Nah, the solenoid is just a remote cable. No difference in operation. If it fails the engine won't stop. Nothing to do with starting.
 
Go to your local bus scrapyard, ask to see a Trident fitted with a cummins 6CT, see solenoid, enjoy and remove. Fit to your boat. You will also require a small pony battery in concert with your original battery to energise it as it is 24v.

Some Dennis Darts fitted with Cummins 6BT also have solenoids pulling on a cable.


EDIT: Pic

1323745207740352.jpg
 
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nigelmercier said:
My Volvo Penta MD22 must have an electrical device, as it is operated by the key. I have no idea what it look like, or how it works!

[Later] I wonder if this was part of the original Prima engine, I'll have a look in the service manual.
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If you turn the key fully anticlockwise to the "S" and hold it there until the engine stops I think you will find that you have a fuel solenoid which closes when energised.



Violet wire going to the solenoid on the injector pump ??
 
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