One of the toughest decisions you’ll ever make when buying a log splitter is deciding whether you need a gas-powered machine or an electric-type splitter?
With a gas log splitter, you’ll have more power and can cut more logs than an electric motor model. Meanwhile, electric motors save you from worrying about fuel consumption plus, you can use your splitter indoors.
But what if you can upgrade a gas-type splitter to an electric log splitter? Let’s explore how to transform a gas splitter into an electric-powered log splitter using a simple conversion kit.
But before we learn how to upgrade, let’s first check out the many reasons why homeowners are converting their gas splitters to electric splitters.
Can You Change a Gas Motor Log Splitter to Electric?
Yes, you can replace your gas-powered log splitter with electric motor power and we’ll show you how in a step-by-step tutorial. But take note that there are some limitations to this conversion and one of these is the tool’s power.
The most common issue that most users have with electric motors is power. They think that electric-type log splitters are not as powerful and not as efficient as gas motor splitting machines and thus are not worth the effort.
There is a higher HP rating, torque, amp draw, and huge RPM difference between a gas and an electric wood splitting machine. With a gas splitter, splitting kindling is faster.
Indeed, electric motor splitters as not as powerful as their gas engine countertypes but there are many other reasons to consider these machines:
You’re using clean power
You’re using clean electrical energy to cut wood. No fumes, no fuels leaking, and no air pollution when using electric motor log splitters. An old used gas splitter is more likely to produce more toxic fumes.
You can use your log splitter indoors
Because no fumes and hazardous odors are coming from the engine, you can use your splitter inside your garage, tool shed, or inside your kitchen.
These log splitters are safer
Less power means you may only cut softer types of wood. However, you’re safer and less likely to suffer from an accident with a less powerful splitting machine than a high-powered one.
These log splitters require less maintenance
An electric motor/electric motor shaft requires less maintenance than a gas engine. You don’t need to mind fuel lines, the air inside the fuel lines, fuel valves, etc. You won’t have to deal with changing the oil, adding oil, and other gas motor maintenance issues when you have an electric engine or small electric splitter.
How to Change Your Gas-Powered Splitter to an Electric Splitter?
There are so many reasons to switch from a gas engine to electric-type splitting equipment so let’s find out how. Here are the things you need for the conversion:
- 1 gas power to electric power conversion kit – use gas to electric conversion kit from a reliable supplier. Refer to the kit’s user’s manual for detailed installation instructions. You can purchase this from a tractor supply online or a local tractor supply store.
- Wrenches (19 mm, 7/8 inch, 7/16 inch, and ½ inch) – you need these wrenches to remove the pressure and intake hoses and to connect these to the appropriate elbows.
- Container for the hydraulic pumps’ fluid – you can use a small pan or a shallow container to take care of any fluid spills and messes as you remove the hoses.
Instructions
1. Remove pressure in the log splitter.
You need to remove all pressure in the log splitting machine hydraulic components before you change. You can do this by turning off the machine and moving the Operator Lever forward and backward several times.
2. Place the container under the splitter’s hydraulic pump/hydraulic valve.
You’ll notice that while you cycle the lever back and forth, the hydraulic liquid will spill out of the components. This is the best time to place a wide pan underneath the machine to catch these hydraulics drippings. Don’t remove this pan until you’ve completed the conversion.
3. Remove the pressure hose and intake hose
Take your 19 mm wrench and remove the pressure hose from the elbow. Afterward, remove the intake hose from the elbow using a 7/8 – inch wrench. Don’t forget to hold the hose end high so it remains above the tank and avoids leaks.
4. For electric start models: remove the terminals connected to the battery
If you have an electric start machine, remove the terminals from your battery. Take the clamp out using two 7/16-inch wrenches. When the clamp is out, take the engine and pump out.
In some cases, the splitter’s engine will use the slotted holes found on the mount while the motor will use the round holes.
5. Carefully remove the gas engine
At this point, the engine is free to move. Take it out of the splitter but carefully keep it because you can still use this to change from an electric splitting machine to a gas-powered splitter.
6. Place the electric motor and pump in the correct position
You may now place the electric motor and the pump on the frame mount. Use the new bolts and washers to secure the motor. Remove all the plastic protectors from the elbow threads.
7. Attach the hoses
Attach the intake hose to the intake elbow and the pressure hose to the elbow
Conclusion
You can change a gas-powered model to an electric motor machine using a conversion kit. However, you may need to compensate for the splitter’s power as an electric splitter is known for having weaker driving power compared to a gas engine/gas unit.
Clearly, an electric splitter’s advantages outweigh its disadvantages. But make sure to check your log splitter engine’s power rating, capacity, and other features before you make the switch.
