Every project starts with a problem. For us, it was a lawn mower that wouldn't start and a snow blower that reeked of gas. But our frustration went deeper when we learned the facts: running a gas mower for one hour can emit the same pollution as driving a car for hundreds of miles.

We looked at our perfectly good equipment and asked, "Why create more waste by throwing this all away just because of a faulty, polluting engine?"

As engineers and environmental advocates, we knew there had to be a better way. So we created Prevoton. We design simple, robust conversion kits that let you replace the engine you hate with the clean, instant, push-but ton power you'll love. It's about less waste, less noise, and a healthier planet—right from your own garage.

Did you know that running a gas mower for one hour can emit the same pollution as driving a car for hundreds of miles? We were tired of the noise and the toxic fumes filling our neighborhoods. As product designers and environmental advocates, we knew there had to be a better way.

Prevoton is our answer. Instead of creating more waste by telling people to buy entirely new machines, we empower them to upgrade what they already own. Our kits help you build a cleaner future, right in your own garage.

The Carburetor: The Achilles' Heel of Every Small Gas Engine

At its core, a four-stroke engine is a robust piece of machinery. The pistons, the crankshaft, the valves—these are durable metal parts. The single greatest point of failure, and the source of 90% of user frustration, is a delicate, outdated, and surprisingly complex component: the carburetor.

The Fundamental Flaw: A Delicate Balancing Act

A carburetor's only job is to perfectly mix a fine mist of gasoline with air. To do this, it relies on a series of incredibly small channels, passages, and pin-sized holes called jets. Think of them like t iny, precision-drilled straws.

This delicate design is its downfall. It doesn't take much to throw this entire system into chaos. A single speck of dirt, a flake of rust, or a bit of gummy residue can clog a critical jet, leading to engine failure.

The Villain: Modern Ethanol-Blended Gasoline

For decades, this was a manageable problem. But the widespread introduction of modern gasoline containing ethanol has turned a manageable issue into a chronic nightmare for small engines.

Here’s why ethanol is so destructive to carburetors:

1. It Absorbs Water: Ethanol is "hygroscopic," meaning it actively attracts and absorbs water molecules from the air. This water gets pulled into your fuel tank and carburetor. Water causes corrosion (rust) and, because it's heavier than gas, it can settle in the bot tom of the carburetor bowl, gett ing sucked into the jets instead of fuel.

2. It's a Solvent: Ethanol is a powerful solvent. It can dissolve old rubber fuel lines, gaskets, and plastic components, creat ing t iny bits of debris that flow directly into the carburetor and clog the jets.

3. It Leaves Gummy Deposits: When ethanol-blended fuel evaporates, it leaves behind a sticky, varnish-like residue. Because small engines are often used intermittently (e.g., a mower sits all winter, a snow blower sits all summer), the fuel has plenty of time to evaporate in the carburetor bowl, leaving these deposits to clog everything up.

The Cascade of Frustration: The User's Experience

This technical failure translates into a predictable and infuriat ing user experience:

1. The "It Won't Start" Scenario: The most common problem. After sitt ing for a season, the main jet is clogged with varnish. The engine gets air, it gets a spark, but it gets no fuel. You can pull the start cord until your arm falls off, but it will not start.

2. The "Surging Engine": The engine starts but then revs up and down uncontrollably. This is a classic symptom of a partially clogged jet that is starving the engine of fuel, causing it to hunt for a stable RPM.

3. The "Choke Dance": The engine will only run if the choke is partially on. This is because the choke manually restricts air, forcing more fuel through the partially clogged passages. As soon as you turn the choke off, the engine dies.

4. The Messy, Costly "Fix": The solution is to either meticulously disassemble and clean the carburetor with harsh chemicals and special tools or, more commonly, pay a repair shop $100-$500 for a cleaning or a full replacement.

The Prevoton Solution: Eliminates the Problem Entirely

This is where your conversion business offers a permanent solution, not just a temporary fix.

An electric motor has no carburetor

By converting to electric, you are physically removing the single most unreliable, frustrating, and failure-prone component of the entire machine. You replace a complex, delicate mechanical system with a simple, reliable electrical one.

Your customers aren't just buying a quieter, cleaner machine. They are buying freedom from:

1. Worrying about stale fuel.

2. Buying and adding fuel stabilizer.

3. Running the engine dry before storage.

4. The annual "will it start?" anxiety.

The cost and hassle of carburetor repairs.

Emissions from Four-Stroke Engines

Carbon Monoxide (CO):

Four-stroke engines emit significant amounts of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be harmful when inhaled. CO can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and, in severe cases, even death.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):

These engines also emit nitrogen oxides, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog. NOx can irritate the respiratory system, exacerbate asthma, and reduce lung function.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

VOCs are emitted during fuel combustion and can react with NOx in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. Ozone at ground level is a harmful air pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.

Quantifying the Impact

1. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), operating a typical gas-powered lawn mower for one hour can produce as much smog-form ing pollution as driving a new car for approximately 300 miles.

2. This comparison highlights the disproportionate level of emissions from small engines relative to their size and usage.

Impact on Users

Health Risks:

1. Individuals using four-stroke engine equipment are directly exposed to exhaust emissions, which can lead to immediate health effects such as headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation.

2. Long-term exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues.

Noise Pollution:

While mufflers reduce some noise, four-stroke engines are still relatively loud, contributing to noise pollution. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss and increased stress levels.

Environmental Awareness:

Users may also be concerned about their environmental footprint, as emissions from small engines contribute to air pollution and climate change.

Conclusion

The emissions from four-stroke engines have a significant impact on both the environment and the health of individuals using them. Transitioning to electric equipment can eliminate these emissions, providing a cleaner, quieter, and healthier alternative for users and the community.