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vtsteam:
Simplicity and cost, Matt.

A diesel fuel rack closure would require an electronic actuator strong enough and with enough throw to close the fuel rack, plus a sensor, logic and likely a low voltage DC power supply.

To perform the same function that a bit of solder and a spring would.

A fusible link would also be able to handle generator overload and/or catastrophic failure. A fusible link would also be more robust, being simple and mechanical, and easy to check for condition.

Anyway, different folks, different boats, as I used to say! :)

vtsteam:
ps. how does the electronic version open the rack to start? And if normally open, and needs power to close, what happens when the engine shuts down and voltage drops? Does it open again before the crank is stationary? On my 600 RPM engine with 24" flywheels and huge inertia, you'd be off and running again as soon as it passed TDC.

Can't use logic here because the circuit is dead. Can't use it to begin with when trying to start because it's also dead, so you need a mechanical lock or latch (likely more materials than the fusible link system was altogether), or a battery. Battery must be kept charged and maintained on an emergency generator, etc. etc.

There are solutions to every electromechanical problem, including this one. but I like simple robust mechanical solutions, rather than electronics, wherever possible.

mattinker:
I suspected as much! I can see a small electric motor driving allthread with a nut on it as an actuator, wall wart power and a thermostatic switch! This is a safety device so it only needs resetting after a potential overheating.
That wouldn't be the same challenge but it wouldn't be expensive either.

Regards, Matthew.

vtsteam:
Well, playing devil's advocate here because I like solving how-to puzzles, you might be able to latch an electromechanical system with a big capacitor that bleeds down slowly enough after the engine is stationary, without needing a battery. And using a counter balance spring maybe a solenoid might be strong enough and have enough throw. Either that, or the solenoid throws a latch to stop. Anyway, it's do-able if someone wants to think it through.

PekkaNF:
I would be happy if I could keep the motor as simple as possible. Another thing is that I don't want to complicate generator/mains side. I would hate to have wallwarts or such on generator that is going to get the handling portable emergency/construction site generator is getting.

My engine is fairly similar than this one but this one has whole lot more features e.r. clutter:

This has at 2:50 shut off solenoid. very similar than on my oil burner on furnace. I would need a provision for manual override.

I didn't though of the mechanical over temperature shutdown, but I can imagine it's doable. Fusible links? Bowden cable?

Pekka

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