Abstract: A dethatcher includes a frame having front and rear ends and a handle extending from the frame rear end. Wheels are coupled to the frame, and a cutting reel is housed in the frame. An engine is included for powering the cutting reel. In one embodiment, a bottom of the engine is below a top of the cutting reel when the cutting reel is in use. In another embodiment, the cutting reel is located between the engine and the frame front end. Another dethatcher has sequentially from a rear end: a handle, an engine, a cutting reel powered by the engine, and a bagger for collecting debris from the cutting reel.

Abstract: A generator including an internal combustion engine having an exhaust outlet, a proximity sensor structured to detect a distance value indicative of a distance between the exhaust outlet and an object, and a controller. The controller includes a proximity circuit structured to receive the distance value from the proximity sensor and a shutdown circuit. The shutdown circuit is structured to receive the distance value from the proximity circuit, determine whether to initiate at least one of an alarm and a shutdown of the generator based on the distance value and a predetermined distance value minimum, and initiate at least one of the alarm and the shutdown of the generator based on determining that the distance value is less than the predetermined distance value minimum.

Abstract: A battery for equipment having a charging system providing a charging voltage is provided. The battery includes a primary power supply, a secondary power supply, and a battery management system configured to at least one of (a) selectively increase the charging voltage to a boosted voltage and (b) selectively decrease the charging voltage to a bucked voltage, and provide at least one of the boosted voltage and the bucked voltage to the primary power supply.

Abstract: A method of exercising a generator includes detecting a temperature of the generator, if the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, activating a starter motor and starting an engine of the generator, and performing a first exercise test, and if the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, activating the starter motor without starting the engine of the generator, and performing a second exercise test.

Abstract: A generator management system is provided. The generator management system includes a generator and including an engine, a controller communicably coupled and operatively coupled to the generator to control operation of the generator. The controller includes a load sensing circuit structured to receive a load value of the engine, a fuel level sensing circuit structured to receive a fuel level value of a fuel source supplying fuel to the engine, and an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit structured to receive the load value of the engine from the load sensing circuit, receive the fuel level value from the fuel level sensing circuit, evaluate the load value and the fuel value to determine a remaining runtime of the generator, and control the generator to selectively supply power to a subset of one or more load sources based on the remaining runtime of the generator and a desired runtime of the generator.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying electric power to a plurality of priority loads from either a utility power source or a secondary power source, such as a generator. A control unit monitors the power draw by each of a plurality of priority loads and base loads during the supply of electric power from the utility power source. When the supply of power from the utility power source is interrupted, the control unit determines the number of the priority loads that can be powered by the secondary power source based on the monitored power draw of the priority and base loads prior to power interruption. The secondary power source is activated and the determined number of priority loads is immediately connected to the secondary power source without delay. When the utility power source returns, the system and method transfers utility power back to all of the priority and base loads.

Abstract: A battery adapter assembly for engine-powered outdoor power equipment including a battery pack, an adapter, a receiver, and a starting motor. The battery pack includes multiple battery cells, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal and is removable and replaceable. The adapter is structured to selectively connect to the battery pack and electrically connect to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery pack. The receiver is structured to selectively receive and electrically connect to the adapter to transfer power from the battery pack to the receiver. The starting motor is structured to start an internal combustion engine and selectively receives power supplied by the battery pack. The adapter is structured to connect to and transfer power from multiple battery packs having different voltages.

Abstract: A portable generator includes a CO sensor module to sense CO levels in the environment surrounding the portable generator. The CO sensor module senses high levels of CO and sends a signal to shut down the engine on the portable generator. The CO sensor module alerts the user by emitting an LED light whether the CO sensor module is functioning properly, improperly or if high CO levels are detected. The CO sensor module is removable from a control panel of the portable generator to be replaced or maintained by the user per a replacement or maintenance schedule.

Abstract: A starter motor that includes an integrated solid state switching device. The solid state switching device is mounted within the outer housing of the starter motor such that the entire starter motor can be installed as a single unit. In one embodiment, the solid state switching device includes a MOSFET positioned on the low side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device opens and closes to control the flow of current through the starter motor. In another embodiment, the solid state switching device is positioned on the high side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device can include a speed sensing circuit to prevent operation of the starter motor when the internal combustion engine is operation, a crank limiting circuit that limits the amount of time the starter motor can operate without starting the internal combustion engine and/or a thermal limiting circuit to prevent operation during overheating of the starter motor.

Abstract: A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval.

Abstract: An enclosed pressure washer system includes an engine having a horizontal output shaft, an exhaust system having a muffler and an exhaust outlet port in the muffler, a fan rotatably coupled to the horizontal output shaft, a starting system structured to start the engine, and a pump rotatably coupled to the engine via a non-metallic connector. The starting system includes a flywheel, a battery, and a starting device structured to start the engine. The pump includes an inlet which water enters from an inlet conduit and an outlet which pressurized water exits to an outlet conduit. The pressure washer system further includes an enclosure structured to house the engine, muffler, and pump and a sound absorbing case which surrounds the engine, pump, and the muffler and allows the exit of exhaust gas. The pump, flywheel, and fan are positioned on a side of the engine proximate the horizontal output shaft.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, an electric motor, a worm coupled to and rotated by the electric motor, a worm gear coupled to and configured to be rotated by the worm, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel including a flywheel cup having flywheel protrusions, a clutch driven by the worm gear and configured to engage the one or more flywheel protrusions such that the crankshaft is rotated, and an energy storage device electrically coupled to the electric motor. The clutch is configured to disengage from the flywheel protrusions when the rotational speed of the crankshaft exceeds the rotational speed of the worm gear. When the electric motor is activated, the electric motor rotates the worm rotating the worm gear, which causes the clutch to engage the flywheel protrusions, transferring worm gear rotation to the flywheel and the crankshaft to rotate the engine for starting.

Abstract: An outdoor power equipment includes multiple motors and a controller module. The motors include a first motor and a second motor. The first motor is structured to operate a first component of the outdoor power equipment and the second motor is structured to operate a second component of the outdoor power equipment. The controller module includes multiple motor controllers structured to communicate via a network communication bus with each other and operate the first motor and the second motor to operate the first component and the second component based on the communication via the network communication bus.

Abstract: A transfer switch and load controller that can be plugged into an existing utility meter socket and electrically positioned between the meter socket and a distribution panel to allow switching between utility power and standby power. The plug-in transfer switch functions to transfer the power supplied to a home between the utility power source and the generator power source upon loss of power from the utility power source. The transfer switch components are contained in an enclosed housing of a meter socket adapter that is mounted directly to the meter socket of a meter housing. The meter socket adapter is prewired to a standby generator such that the standby generator can be connected to a home power system by plugging the meter socket adapter into the meter socket.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system including an engine, a shutdown circuit coupled to the engine to shut down the engine, a controller in communication with the shutdown circuit, and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor in communication with the controller. The controller communicates with the shutdown circuit to shut down the engine at a predetermined CO threshold concentration when the CO sensor provides the controller with signals that are representative of a CO level proximate the engine that indicate a trend of building CO levels over a set time interval.

Abstract: An on-demand generator starting system and method is disclosed. The generator starting system is included as part of a standby or portable generator that includes one or more outlets that provide electrical power to an electrical device. The operating system includes a generator controller that monitors for a request for power from the electrical device connected to the outlet. When the control circuit of the generator controller determines that electric power is required from the generator, the control circuit initiates operation of the internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine starts, the control circuit operates a relay to provide power from the generator to the outlet of the generator. When the electrical device is no longer operating, the control circuit of the generator controller terminates operation of the internal combustion engine of the generator. In this manner, the generator operates only when the electrical device is requesting electrical power.

Abstract: A pressure washer structured to output a pressurized fluid including an engine having a throttle plate structured to move between a closed position and a wide-open position, a pump driven by the engine and having an inlet and an outlet that discharges fluid, a spray gun having a spray gun inlet fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pump and a nozzle structured to discharge the fluid and having selectable nozzle orifices, and an electronic governor system structured to control a speed of the engine. The electronic governor system includes a carburetor, a motor coupled to the throttle plate to move the throttle plate between the closed and wide-open position, and a controller coupled to the motor to control the motor to control the speed of the engine in response to a selection of at least one of the one or more selectable nozzle orifices.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a water pump, a spray gun fluidly coupled to an outlet of the water pump, an electric motor coupled to the water pump to drive the water pump, a battery module configured to provide battery electricity, an electrical plug configured to receive grid electricity from a power outlet, and a power management system electrically connected to the battery module, the electrical plug, and the electric motor. The power management system is configured to selectively provide battery electricity from the battery module and grid electricity from the electrical plug to the electric motor to drive the water pump.

Abstract: An air-cooled internal combustion engine including a crankshaft rotating about a crankshaft axis, a first cylinder having a first cylinder head, a second cylinder having a second cylinder head, and a blower assembly. The blower assembly includes a blower housing, a first fan, and a second fan. The first fan is positioned proximate the first cylinder and the second fan is positioned proximate the second cylinder.