Engine-based welder with auto-start feature

A method of providing and auto-start feature capability for an engine-based welding system having a programmable processor-based controller, comprising:

• when an engine of an engine-based welding system is running, a programmable processor-based controller of the engine-based welding system determining that a remote shutdown code has been accepted or that there has been no electrical load detected for a first specified time period;
• when the engine of the engine-based welding system is running, the programmable processor-based controller determining that a coolant temperature is above a minimum requirement temperature;
• the programmable processor-based controller shutting down the engine in response to determining that the coolant temperature is above the minimum requirement temperature and determining that no electrical load has been detected for the first specified time period;
• the programmable processor-based controller determining that the electrical load has been detected, in response to a single contact of a welding electrode to a workpiece, during a second specified time period after the engine has been shut down;
• and
• the programmable processor-based controller commanding restart of the engine in response to determining that the electrical load has been detected during the second specified time period.