rcnats

My Feedback: (56)

OK guys, what are you using to start you're 1/2 A engines? "Regular" size starters are too big. A flying buddy mentioned using an old 05 car motor and a six cell nicad pack. I have a Cox TD .051 with a Tarno R/C carb but no way of starting it. Any help/ideas will be appreaciated. Thanks.

*rcnats*

MrMulligan

My Feedback: (314)

I used to use a regular Sullivan starter with the rubber starting cone reversed. I since bought a Miller 1/2A starter, about three years ago. I don't know whether they are still available. I got it through a link provided by S.M.A.L.L., a discussion email group dedicated to the care and feeding of engine powered planes .25 and below. A couple of years ago, on a very snowy day, I was placing an order at Norvel and they have a starter insert for the Sullivan starter. I bought one, it's yellow. Try the Sig website since they now distribute Norvel. Hope this helps. Reversing the regular insert eventually tears them up.

littlepiston

My Feedback: (12)

norvel is gots some bad***** ones ?

http://www.norvel.com/

neversink

I modified a Black & Decker Cordless Wizard. Works great with my .049 and .061 Norvels. The local B&D outlet store was selling the Wizards cheap. Took it apart, uncrimped the power leads to the motor, flipped the motor around to reverse polarity and running direction, reassembled, used pliers to jam the chuck/collet on tight, and slipped a length of thick wall poly tubing over the chuck for a starting cone.
Rich

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

2nd the norvel starter. Even with the cones reversed on the standard starters it would chew up the hole and rubber particles were flying everywhere. The norvel starter turns much faster and starts my .074 quick. But it IS pricey. Worth it to me since I'll be using it more now.
Edwin

BobHH

My Feedback: (18)

My Dad made mine out of a cheap R/C Car motor, PVC pipe, push button switch from radio shack, and turned the end on lathe. Been working for almost 10 years mostly on my LMH but also on pressure fed Cox TD's.

BobHH

TooLow

My Feedback: (5)

I got one of the starters from LMH that they make for their helis. It starts all my "pee-pee" motors up to .10's. Was in the ballpark of $39.00 .



so many toys--not enough time to play!

rcnats

My Feedback: (56)

Guys, the responses have been great ! I love the one with the B&D Whizard. Thanks RCU for an outstanding new forum!!!

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us020140

My Feedback: (28)

Just don't do what I did this week and use an electric starter on a flooded 1/2 a. I broke the rod and drove it through the piston.
Phil

rcnats

My Feedback: (56)

Yikes!! Sorry to hear that. Still have it for parts?

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us020140

My Feedback: (28)

I rebuilt it the same night, but what a waste!
Phil

rcnats

My Feedback: (56)

You da man! What plane was /is it on?

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us020140

My Feedback: (28)

Its on an ACE Whizard. The motor is an .049 Tee Dee and hauls it around like it weighs nothing. I love 1/2 a's!
Phil

dennis

My Feedback: (90)

I usually use my starter with 6 volts as that is fast enough to get the motor going and slow enough to feel the resistance of flooding. Also I usually prime the motor and usually a quick tap has it running. On all these llittle motors remember that the shim behind the thrust washer will wear out so watch and replace as necessary. Otherwise you'll be pushing the crankpin back into the backplate [Norvel]

PeterH

I know of three commercial starters: (1) Miller R/c makes a really nice one, very nicely made (2) Norvel peddles one, I've seen them on the LHS shelf but never handled or used it (3) Sullivan has just advertised one, I don't know if it's made of 'unobtanium' or whether it actually exists. Astro Flite used to sell one a zillion years ago, they work very well, but I can't imagine finding one unless an owner wants to peddle it off. I own two of these, the Miller and the Astro. Miller's the class act for product quality, but I've never used it - - the Astro works just great.

poorbs

My Feedback: (3)

Try this - it's cheap and easy to do, and it won't break rods and cranks if the engine floods. Get any starter cone for your existing starter and fill the larger open end with GE silicone rubber. It'll take a week or so to dry fully, but when it's hard, find the center and cut out a LITTLE piece for your nose cone to fit into. The smaller the center hole the better. If the engine seizes up, the starter cone will just spin around the nose cone on your engine. If you leave the smaller hole on the other side of the starter cone empty, you can use it for smaller spinners like on .10s or .15s.

FYI........................

Jeff Leavitt

Hi,

Just found this forum and it's super. I race 1/2a's in our clubs monthly 1/2a pylon races, been doing that for about three years. We have about twenty regular racers and everyone uses an electric starter of some sort. I've seen the 1/2a cones used on the larger starters with some success. Newer guys are buying the Norvel units, And probably the most (including myself) are using the Miller unit. IMHO the Miller is the best available that I have seen. A little bit spendy, but bullet proof. Good Flying!!!

Best Regards,

Jeff Leavitt

rcnats

My Feedback: (56)

Not to sound lost, but can you direct me where to find a Miller Starter ? Thanks.

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Jeff Leavitt

My Miller starter came from the lhs. I looked on the starter to see if there was an address label on it, but it is warn off sorry... You might try Sheldons Hobbies, I would bet they would have the unit. It's worth the look...... Rgds.....

Jeff......