Which way is on ?

[woodfarmer]

I have a petrol chainsaw. The ignition rocker switch is marked O and I . it could be binary 0 and 1 though

So which way is on/run I/1 depressed or raised ?

I don't find icons at all intuitive. I once had a Volvo which had a picture of a butterfly which was always illuminated whenever I switched on the ignition switch. It wasn't until a year or two after I sold it I learned it was for the sidelight warning switch. Odd as they are always on in a Volvo.

 

[swb58]

'I' position is run, I think :wink: That would be with the switch depressed towards the symbol.

You've obviously tried to start it in both positions and it hasn't given you any clues, don't you just love two stroke engines

 

[Mike.S]

Whatever is marked, the symbols are used to represent the binary numbers 0 and 1. One is 'on' (if switch depressed, in your example) and zero is 'off'. You often see similar markings on electrical products (e.g. my kettle, switch on electric sockets) and is, I believe, a universally recognised method i.e. manufacturers don't need to use different languages to state on/off.

IIRC, it's based on electronics which, despite the amazing things they can do, are simple: a circuit is either on (charged) or off. As our numbering system (binary and decimal) starts with a zero this is the starting position i.e. no current or 'off', hence when the switch marked zero is depressed it's off............you get the picture but better stop before my geekiness is fully exposed

 

[deema]

There will also be an anti kick back bar on top if the saw, make sure this us pulled forward towards where you hold the saw or it won't start.

 

[Glynne]

I have a Husqvarna chain saw and they recommend starting the saw with the brake on. In fact the engine will run quite happily with the brake on and from a safety perspective is not a bad idea if you have to put the saw down.

 

[RogerP]

Don't see why the need to marked both sides of a switch,

Just the "ON" position needs marking - it's fairly obvious what the other side is. :roll:

 

[Woodmonkey]

Yes the "anti kick back bar" is called a chain break and it's best practice to start the saw with it on

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

also, if you're having trouble starting it, the single most common problem (apart from the switch being in the off position) is that it has old unleaded petrol in the tank or you've filled it with old unleaded petrol. Few people realise that modern non leaded fuel actually goes off. Each year always mix up a fresh batch from the pumps with your 2 stroke oil. I find it lasts the summer but not a whole year.

 

[KevM]

also, if you're having trouble starting it, the single most common problem (apart from the switch being in the off position) is that it has old unleaded petrol in the tank or you've filled it with old unleaded petrol. Few people realise that modern non leaded fuel actually goes off. Each year always mix up a fresh batch from the pumps with your 2 stroke oil. I find it lasts the summer but not a whole year.

Spot on - I always run my chainsaw until the tank is dry when I know it won't be used for a spell. You can buy fuel additives that inhibit the fuel going off (varnishing?) useful for infrequently used kit.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Don't see why the need to marked both sides of a switch,

Just the "ON" position needs marking - it's fairly obvious what the other side is. :roll:

:lol: Or just the "off"?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Mike S the manufacturers use a common language, it's just one that the rest of us don't understand. :lol:



Makes more sense now!

 

[woodfarmer]

Whatever is marked, the symbols are used to represent the binary numbers 0 and 1. One is 'on' (if switch depressed, in your example) and zero is 'off'. You often see similar markings on electrical products (e.g. my kettle, switch on electric sockets) and is, I believe, a universally recognised method i.e. manufacturers don't need to use different languages to state on/off.

IIRC, it's based on electronics which, despite the amazing things they can do, are simple: a circuit is either on (charged) or off. As our numbering system (binary and decimal) starts with a zero this is the starting position i.e. no current or 'off', hence when the switch marked zero is depressed it's off............you get the picture but better stop before my geekiness is fully exposed

Are you sure that the depressed one is the active one. and that O for on is off when depressed?

In the uk a light switch is on when the toggle is down. In France it is the other way around. IE the top is depressed.

 

[woodfarmer]

Don't see why the need to marked both sides of a switch,

Just the "ON" position needs marking - it's fairly obvious what the other side is. :roll:

:lol: Or just the "off"?

There is no on or off just a I/O or 0/1 and I am not sure what they mean, or whether they are active depressed or up.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

One last point to bear from my own experience. I have a stihl strimmer where the label for the 1/0 was on the wrong way round. So the only way to be certain is to take the plug out of the cylinder head, stick it into the suppressor cap and position it so its touching the metal of the cylinder head. Be somewhere darkish and pull the starter a few times. You should see the blue arc across the electrodes of the spark plug if the switch is on. If the switch is in the off position, the plug will be inert.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Bob - or try the thing each way and see what setting it starts on?

 

[woodfarmer]

Here is the switch.. Which way is on or off.

 

[paulm]

Here is the switch.. Which way is on or off.

That's off I reckon.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

that's off....but...it may be on the wrong way (happened to me see above) so do the spark plug test and you'll know

 

[Mike.S]

Whatever is marked, the symbols are used to represent the binary numbers 0 and 1. One is 'on' (if switch depressed, in your example) and zero is 'off'. You often see similar markings on electrical products (e.g. my kettle, switch on electric sockets) and is, I believe, a universally recognised method i.e. manufacturers don't need to use different languages to state on/off.

IIRC, it's based on electronics which, despite the amazing things they can do, are simple: a circuit is either on (charged) or off. As our numbering system (binary and decimal) starts with a zero this is the starting position i.e. no current or 'off', hence when the switch marked zero is depressed it's off............you get the picture but better stop before my geekiness is fully exposed

Are you sure that the depressed one is the active one. and that O for on is off when depressed?

In the uk a light switch is on when the toggle is down. In France it is the other way around. IE the top is depressed.

I'm sure that the intention is that when a switch is depressed it should be the active one and that 1 is on and 0 is off. However, that does not allow for error - e.g. a short or wiring it t'other way :lol:

As regards the french v UK light switches, the best analogy is probably to look at your chainsaw from the handle end and then the chain end - the on switch will be perceived to have moved from top to bottom (or vice versa) but the important bits (the switch wiring) won't have changed in relation to the switch.

 

[dickm]

Neither of my saws is marked that way - an old Dolmar and a less old Stihl. AND, the Dolmar is on when the metal toggle switch (it's THAT old) is up, whereas the Stihl is on when the rotary switch is down. Which is no problem starting, as both are clearly marked, but..... if you need to stop the saw in a hurry, you can bet you first try to flick the switch the wrong way