RE: WILL AN ELECTRIC STARTER START A GAS ENGINE?
Yes.
I use a Magnum geared starter with 2 7-cell 3800mah NiMH car packs wired in series. Starts Zenoah G20, Fugi BT32, DA50, Moki 2.10, Saito R325 Radial with no problems. Lightweight, portable, totally self-contained with no car/motorcycle/tractor/etc battery to lug; no battery acid to spill, no cables with clips/plugs to mess with and get mixed up in props. Can fast charge at the field if necessary (seems like lots of other club members like to use it also). Have been using this setup for 5 years and have only upgraded the battery packs once (this year).
Works for me.
Dan