A controller for a vehicle is configured to execute a lubricating oil degradation degree acquisition process that calculates a degradation degree of a lubricating oil that lubricates an internal combustion engine, a battery degradation degree acquisition process that calculates a degradation degree of a battery, and an oil change time calculation process that calculates an oil change time for the lubricating oil from the degradation degree of the lubricating oil and the degradation degree of the battery. The oil change time calculation process includes calculating the oil change time so as to become earlier as the degradation degree of the battery increases.

Engine systems which are easier starting and more resistant to degradation and discharge of their batteries are desirable in a wide range of equipment markets. The present engine systems utilize a selection module which selective switches from a first state when the battery is adequately charged to a second state which enables the use of auxiliary components such as special starting stators and regulators which can power the engine control module even when the battery is too discharged to power the engine control module directly.

An engine starter apparatus includes a starter motor, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the starter motor, a light source integrated with the starter motor, and a controller operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the light source. The controller is configured to illuminate the light source in a first color in response to the temperature of the starter motor exceeding a first temperature threshold. The controller is configured to illuminate the light source further in a second color in response to the temperature of the starter motor exceeding a second temperature threshold. The second temperature threshold is greater than the first temperature threshold. The first and second color are different. The second temperature threshold corresponds to a life limit of the starter motor. Illumination of the light source indicates an overheated starter motor, which may warrant a replacement of the starter motor.

An ignition system for outdoor power equipment driven by a petrol or gasoline engine may include a safety interlock system, a starter motor, a starter solenoid having an activation coil, and a solenoid monitor. The ignition system may be configured to selectively apply power to start the engine based on application of a start attempt. The safety interlock system may be operable to actuate the starter solenoid via the activation coil to apply current to the starter motor for starting the engine during the start attempt. The solenoid monitor may be configured to determine a status of the activation coil and starter solenoid contacts and provide a fault indication based on the status determined.

A starter system for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle includes a starter (12), a voltage source (14) for supplying the starter (12) with electrical energy in a start operating state and a down converter (22). The down converter (22) provides a start operating voltage for the starter (12) in the start operating state by down-converting a supply voltage provided by the voltage source (14).

A controller for a vehicle is configured to execute a lubricating oil degradation degree acquisition process that calculates a degradation degree of a lubricating oil that lubricates an internal combustion engine, a battery degradation degree acquisition process that calculates a degradation degree of a battery, and an oil change time calculation process that calculates an oil change time for the lubricating oil from the degradation degree of the lubricating oil and the degradation degree of the battery. The oil change time calculation process includes calculating the oil change time so as to become earlier as the degradation degree of the battery increases.

An ignition system for outdoor power equipment driven by a petrol or gasoline engine may include a safety interlock system, a starter motor, a starter solenoid having an activation coil, and a solenoid monitor. The ignition system may be configured to selectively apply power to start the engine based on application of a start attempt. The safety interlock system may be operable to actuate the starter solenoid via the activation coil to apply current to the starter motor for starting the engine during the start attempt. The solenoid monitor may be configured to determine a status of the activation coil and starter solenoid contacts and provide a fault indication based on the status determined.

A management device for an energy storage device, includes a processing unit that manages the energy storage device. When the management device for the energy storage device has lost power due to a voltage drop of the energy storage device, the processing unit determines whether cause of the power loss is an external short circuit between external terminals of the energy storage device or an engine start, and the processing unit executes a response operation according to the occurrence of the external short circuit in the case of the external short circuit, and does not execute the response operation in the case of the engine start.

A starter system for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle includes a starter (12), a voltage source (14) for supplying the starter (12) with electrical energy in a start operating state and a down converter (22). The down converter (22) provides a start operating voltage for the starter (12) in the start operating state by down-converting a supply voltage provided by the voltage source (14).

An ignition control apparatus, e.g., for an internal combustion engine, includes a rotational speed calculation unit that calculates a rotational speed of an alternating current generator. A rotor of the alternating current generator is driven to rotate in synchronization with reciprocating motion of a piston of the internal combustion engine. An ignition timing determination unit determines an ignition timing of the internal combustion engine based on the rotational speed calculated by the rotational speed calculation unit. An ignition control unit supplies electric power to an ignition coil such that the internal combustion engine is ignited at the timing determined by the ignition timing determination unit.