Remote starter switch

[Andy_Revill]

G'Day from Down Under,

I have a 32' yacht with a Volvo MD2B and starting from cold requires an act of gymnastics. I have to turn the keyed starter switch in the cockpit while trying to flip the decompression levers on the engine with my foot - which i can just do but it's not ideal. A while ago I remember seeing a wiring diagram in PBO for a remote starter switch, which could be fitted somewhere near the engine. Unfortunately I now can't find the diagram in any of my back copies. I was wondering if anyone happens to have a copy and can give me the issue number so I can get it from the library, or if anyone can point me to another source of a wiring diagram.

Thanks in advance for any help from a sunny Tasmania - can't wait for the Volvo 60s to arrive!

Andy

 

[Peter_the_Grate]

Since it's probably safer to remain in the cockpit whilst you start the engine - you might need to do so in a hurry, have you thought about using a "remote" on the decompression levers? How about a cable-based system somewhat like and old fashioned manual choke as used on cars, rigged next to the keyswitch? Pull the "choke"/decompressor knob, turn the key to run the engine up to speed and then push the knob back in to release the decompression levers.

 

[BarryD]

Forgive my desness but how about just getting a bigger battery that can spin the engine over with the decompression levers not opened? Or have I misunderstood what these levers do?

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: message to down under

Give Dr Brian Walpole my regards - another tasmanian sailing devil

 

[claymore]

Starting from Cold?

Whats this starting from cold business all about - I thought it was always hot down there?

 

[chrisc]

if you have to depress valve lifters to start engine spinning,
you either need :- a new battery , to tighten the belt ,or maybe
a new belt.

 

[summerwind]

G'Day Cobber

What you need is a spring loaded switch, probably waterproof, mounted in a place where you can easily reach both it and the decompression lever.

Wire the switch in line between your engine-on switch, which will provide the power, and the solenoid connector on the starter motor. This will already be wired to your current starter switch.

When you push your new button, having lifted the decompression lever, current will flow from the engine services supply, through your new switch to the engine starter motor solenoid. The solenoid will make the main switch allowing power from the battery through to the starter motor. Once the engine is spinning - you know the rest.

Anyone who thinks that bigger batteries, new alternator belts etc. will start a Volvo hasn't owned one.

Best wishes

 

[bedouin]

Re: You forgot a bit...

Don't forget having to keep checking that the funny little cold-start button is still latched down - or worse having to hold it down by hand while turning the engine over.

 

[chrisc]

well I certainly have had a MD2 ,first season it was a sod to start .
took starter to bits tweaked it all a bit -realy good belt ,and never
ever decompressed for next 4 years.

 

[Andy_Revill]

Thanks Re: Remote starter switch

Hi everyone,

thanks for the replies. Just a comment on some of the issues raised:

unfortunately it's not always as hot here as people believe - we are in the Southern Ocean! Fortunately my little cold start button behaves itself. As for a choke style system on the levers - I did try initially to rig something up where moving one lever would move both, but there was too much play between the levers and it wasn't very successful. In terms of trying a bigger battery/tighter belts etc. and starting without decompressing, my understanding from talking to some people here who know much more about these things than I do (Diesel engineers) is that this is a good way to slowly burn out the coils on your starter motor. So thanks to Summerwind, I'll try the remote switch and keep decompressing.

Thanks again from Tassie for your suggestions and I'll pass on the regards to Brian Walpole - I have a friend who co-owns a Dragon with him.

Happy sailing!
Andy

 

[Guest]

That’s an ease thing to do. Take an extension wire from each terminal on the existing switch to another switch of the same size. Fix new switch where ever you want it and then it will not matter which switch you use as ether will make the circuit.