2020 - Volume #44, Issue #6, Page #33
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Used 12-Volt Coil Keeps Tiller Running
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“I cleaned out the tiller and changed oil, but there was no spark. The coil was bad,” says Podoll. “My Kohler dealer said a replacement coil would cost $100 and take 3 weeks to arrive. I looked around the shop and realized I had everything I needed to get it going again.”
A 12-volt coil with bracket had been salvaged from a 1989 motor home. To supply the coil with power, Podoll replaced the condenser and used a 12-volt cordless Milwaukee tool battery.
“I had noticed previously that the charger for Milwaukee Tool batteries was very similar to a standard 2-prong plug,” says Podoll. “All I had to do was grind down the one oversized prong.”
The modified plug gave him 2 contact points for the battery. After mounting the coil to the motor and replacing the condenser, he strapped the battery in place and wired the coil and battery together.
“Starting the old Kohler engine is much easier, taking only one pull, “ says Podoll. “I think you could use any old 12-volt coil on many engines. However, the Milwaukee is the only battery I’ve found with the 2 prong charger.”
Podoll did have some concern about the spark plug running too hot with the power source. “I ran 2 tanks of fuel through the tiller and checked the plug, and it looked normal,” he says. “The battery life is more than an hour. When it drops power, I have an excuse to take a break.”
He notes that working on the original coil would have required pulling the flywheel. “This external coil was way cheaper and will be easy to work on,” says Podoll.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Roger Podoll, W8772 State Rd. 21, Wautoma, Wis. 54982 (ph 920 295-2357).
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