AC/DC inverter for a tractor?

[blackrams]

Usually the 120 portion of those is pretty small. Is it possible to convert/swap the starter with a 12v one? I have never heard of a 120v starter, but I have never used a snow blower either. I always had to use shovels when I was a kid.

Well, I was told 120 V.

Not sure about swapping to a 12V auto style but, I'll ask my small engine mechanic.

 

[blackrams]

27", 8 horse Craftsman

 

[Garandman]

That is probably the widely used Tecumseh Snow King. A 12 V starter will cost $40-90. Though the 8hp has a compression release and isn’t too hard to pull start if the engine is in good tune.

Think I’d run some wires out the way snowmobiles do, to hook up jumper cables.

 

[Dave M7040]

An option is to use Anderson plugs between your battery and inverter.
Install the inverter on your blower.
Now you just plug and unplug battery power to your inverter and dont use up precious space on your tractor.
Anderson Plug | eBay

The few spec's I could find for 120 volt electric starters indicated a 15 amp intermittent load which would need a good sized inverter.

Consider the suggestion to change to a 12 volt starter. Your blower with the 120 volt starter will not have provision to charge a battery but if you use the Anderson plug on your blower starter and on your big tractor battery, you have easy electric start, and are not maintaining two batteries.

Dave M7040

 

[blackrams]

An option is to use Anderson plugs between your battery and inverter.
Install the inverter on your blower.
Now you just plug and unplug battery power to your inverter and dont use up precious space on your tractor.
Anderson Plug | eBay

The few spec's I could find for 120 volt electric starters indicated a 15 amp intermittent load which would need a good sized inverter.

Consider the suggestion to change to a 12 volt starter. Your blower with the 120 volt starter will not have provision to charge a battery but if you use the Anderson plug on your blower starter and on your big tractor battery, you have easy electric start, and are not maintaining two batteries.

Dave M7040

Appreciate all the suggestions, will check out all options. :drink:

Rams

 

[Xfaxman]

This is what I rigged up with Anderson plugs. It slid into the front receiver hitch on the tractor that I had then:

This came first:

 

[sd455dan]

27", 8 horse Craftsman

I have a 10 hp Tecumseh MTD/Yardman track drive snow blower with the 120VAC starter and also have a 2000 watt HF inverter I use on my tractor for a 3/4 hp pole saw.- it works fine for that.

If I get a chance I will give starting the snow blower with the inverter a try today... This might be handy extra feature for me to if it works:thumbsup:


I think a 2000 watt rated, not peak watt inverter does work

Will still mount the inverter to tractor and try again- to make sure it is not output overloaded.

 

[sd455dan]

2nd update:

Works perfectly with a 2000 / 4000 watt peak inverter and enough 12vdc to the inverter




Shot of the 12vdc amp draw while cranking with snowblower ignition off:


Looks to be pulling about 100 amps DC current -sorry about the clarity

Need to install real cables for the battery connection



(tractor) cat approves- but thinks it is time to go for a ride

 

[blackrams]

2nd update:

Works perfectly with a 2000 / 4000 watt peak inverter and enough 12vdc to the inverter



(tractor) cat approves- but thinks it is time to go for a ride

View attachment 529786

Appreciate the effort and information. BTW, I wouldn't mess with that cat if I were you. :laughing:

 

[handirifle]

Don't forget to install a inline fuse (or breaker) rated for the line size. If the starter dead shorted you could easily ruin the inverter otherwise. If it will be hard wired, I would also include a cutoff switch for removal or maintenance.

I am installing a 2000w inverter in my 5th wheel, and using 3/0 wire and 200amp inline fuse. A 2/0 wire would handle the load, but a 2000w inverter could draw nearly 200amps. A LOT more in surge mode.