Had a push button to connect starter to battery, and lead from battery to the ignition, then positive ground to the frame.
I used a key start and solenoid from a craftsman lawn tractor. Starts and runs like a champ!
The issue is it's a positive ground, and I'm not sure how to hook up the generator. if I touch the wire that goes from the generator to the voltage regulator to the amp meter, to the negative post it sparks with the engine not running, implying it's closing the circuit from the postive ground to the negative terminal. I don't think that should be happening, but I'm not sure.
Red - negative battery terminal into key switch.
White - hot to activate the solenoid which activates the starter
Blue - hot which goes from red(battery) to the distributor to provide spark
With the engine running, the lead from the amp meter to the connected to the red makes the amp meter jump to +12 or so, but drains the battery when it's not.
When connected to the blue wire, the amp meter jumps to +12 or so, doesn't drain the battery with it off, but makes the tractor run indefinitely when the key is off.
I feel like there needs to be a 3rd lead from the key that will be connected to red and blue with the key on, but disconnected from red and blue when the key is off, that way no battery drain, and no running forever, but when I tested with my multimeter there were no other connections on the key when it was live.
Here's what I got so far, far from finished but at least I'm off to a good start. I'd love some advice if anyone's done this before.
I used a key start and solenoid from a craftsman lawn tractor. Starts and runs like a champ!
The issue is it's a positive ground, and I'm not sure how to hook up the generator. if I touch the wire that goes from the generator to the voltage regulator to the amp meter, to the negative post it sparks with the engine not running, implying it's closing the circuit from the postive ground to the negative terminal. I don't think that should be happening, but I'm not sure.
Red - negative battery terminal into key switch.
White - hot to activate the solenoid which activates the starter
Blue - hot which goes from red(battery) to the distributor to provide spark
With the engine running, the lead from the amp meter to the connected to the red makes the amp meter jump to +12 or so, but drains the battery when it's not.
When connected to the blue wire, the amp meter jumps to +12 or so, doesn't drain the battery with it off, but makes the tractor run indefinitely when the key is off.
I feel like there needs to be a 3rd lead from the key that will be connected to red and blue with the key on, but disconnected from red and blue when the key is off, that way no battery drain, and no running forever, but when I tested with my multimeter there were no other connections on the key when it was live.
Here's what I got so far, far from finished but at least I'm off to a good start. I'd love some advice if anyone's done this before.