Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Wiring a B&S Engine, twin cylinder engine, briggs and stratton

Question
QUESTION: Hi!

I have a B&S Vertical twin ELS engine and need to know how to wire the engine with a push button (momentary) vs a keystart.  The engine info is included below.  The harness has blue, black, grey and red wires.  Thanks in advance, I would really appreciate any help you can provide me.  Please assume I don't know anything.  I am very comfortable with dc wiring, but never wired an engine/starter/charging system before and don't want to do it wrong.

Briggs and Stratton 26hp twin cylinder engine,
INTEK Model  #446777  TYPE #0244E1  CODE 040513YG.
Vertical Shaft

Thanks in advance!
Bryan

ANSWER: Sorry but I could use some more info. What is this unit going in.  Are you repowering or rigging something new. Do you have a solenoid already, does the engine have a fuel shutoff solenoid.
This is easy to solve with a few more details.
I will do the legwork on the wiring if I don't get a reply in a day or so.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Paul,

It is going to power a hovercraft.  I will not be using a key starter, but a momentary push button and kill switch.  Sorry for the ignorant question, but is the starter solenoid typically mounted on the engine for a briggs, or will I need to add it.  The engine has a 16 amp charging system, I am assuming that the inverter and regulator are on the engine, but I am going to trace the wires later today and will be able to confirm.

Thanks,
Bryan

Answer
It does have a regulator. It does not have a solenoid. You will need to purchase a 3 post solenoid, 2 big posts and 1 little post, at your local NAPA store. You will need 2 battery cables 1 to go from the battery to the solenoid and 1 to go from the solenoid to the starter. The big problem we have is that the grey wire is for the fuel shutoff solenoid this wire needs to have switched power. You cannot wire this straight to the battery or the battery will go dead when parked. The black wire is the kill wire and it will need to also have a switch.
Bottom line... You are going to have to have a key switch. Actually in a hover craft ,where weight is an issue, a key switch will weigh way less than all the other junk needed to make this unit have a push button switch.
If you can tell me where the blue wire goes I can give you a aftermarket part number for a switch.