There are a few companies out there that make automatic generator starters.
They are universal enough to interface to most any diesel, propane, or
gasoline engine as long as there is a way to monitor the running condition of
the motor. I had to do a bit of improvising and interfacing to my little 20kw
diesel that had no remote starting or stopping controls. My controller is
built into the power control center. It can be seen at:
http://www.pic101.com/genset

Somewhere I saw a stand alone unit that ran on a pic. Try googling for it.
Rick

"Peter L. Peres" wrote:

> > I want to start my diesel pump out in the field.
>
> That would have no alternator I think. Using a thermocouple placed in the
> exhaust manifold will work within 5 or 6 seconds. You do not wait for
> this. You preheat for X seconds, you crank for Y seconds, then you check
> the thermocouple for Z seconds. If it has not caught within that time,
> start again.
>
> > I want to start my little four cylinder gas engine generator.
>
> That would definitely have an ignition and thus pulses you can pick off
> one of the spark plug wires (capacitively). You crank, stop cranking, wait
> 5-6 secs, check for pulses. No pulses, crank again.
>
> Peter
>
> --

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