If you only need to manually start and stop a motor, as well as provide the necessary protection, would something like this be suitable:
http://web1.automationdirect.com/ad...tor_Starters/45mm_Frame_Width/BM3RHB-013 I can't figure out if this is a totally stand alone device which integrates motor protection, or a device which must be mated to a contactor. It is pretty clear that the above device _may_ be mated to a contactor, and that one could create a full manual starter with proper overload protection for quite a bit less than $300.
-Jon
