Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Looks like this can be done pretty inexpensively....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jrh4ohiF8Q

This would be an awesome mod!

jrtrebor wrote:
That rocks!. I put a TinyTach and a fuel shutoff on my CubCadet this weekend. I can't wait for some time to do the rotation mod. I've tested screwdriver motors and they seem to work pretty well, but don't run on 12V. I need to do a little more searching perhaps for a 12V based solution. I'd use a little 12V UPS battery and keep it charged from the blower's 12V system.

How are those motors at keeping water out? Are they sealed at all?

I haven't had any problems with moisture. And both of them have been covered in ice and snow when using the blower. They are pretty well sealed. There were one or two places that I put a dab of silicone on just to be safe, and I coated the plugs and sockets with dielectric grease. But that was it. I also do spray a coat of Fluid Film all over the entire blower including the motors. One good thing is that you know they were designed to go through warm up and cool down cycles. Being out in a car all the time and then being warmed up by the car's heater. Of course using them in this application on a blower is quite a bit different. There is really no load on them at all, which is good. Because if they were to get hot, or pretty warm when they are being used. I would be a little concerned about condensation forming inside. They have plastic housing which is good as well. Trapped warm air inside and a freezing cold steel housing would not be good. Next spring I may consider drilling a small drain hole in the bottom of the housing just as a precaution. I'll put that on my already long list of things I'm going to do to the blower when the season ends : )

I found a website for robots that has a big assortment of gearmotors. http://www.robotcombat.com/marketplace_gearmotors.html
I like the AME 218 series. Looks good. Electric window worm gear arrangement.

Anyone else do this? There was a write-up on the net with a harbor freight cordless drill and light, but I can't find it.

I found the write-up I was looking for! I have to try this!

Copy & paste to view:

http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/glove-winner-snow-blower-mods/