My 7 Amp gel cell starter battery has served me very well for many years but is just about belly-up...time for a new one.
I know some pilots, especially those with gas engines, use lawn mower size batteries but that's a bit large and heavy to lug around.

I've seen motorcycle size batteries (4 to 6 Amp) and was wondering if one of those would be better than a gel cell. More cranking power??

I have about 15 engines ranging in size from .075 glow to 35cc gas and everything in between so it's not that I need the added CCA every time except for the few gassers (which the gel cell would turn over, not very fast but adequate to start).

I have a Hobbico heavy duty 180 12 volt starter using a G-Force 3s 30C 1300 mAh LIPO battery and if needed 4s 14.8 LIPO from ValueHobbies.com. It will start my Zenoah 38 & 26 and DLE 30 & 35 RA. Been using it for 3 years.

Rich

Thanks for the reply Rich, especially the pointer to Valley View. A club mate suggested a similar idea just this afternoon...and I sure like the folks at V V.
G42

Value Hobbies . Com has some very good prices on their stuff. I use their life receiver batteries, in all my planes. Check out their covering, 1 roll is big enough for most giant scale planes. I recovered my RC Guys Giant Decathlon and GP Giant Ugly Stick . Look through the site, you will see what I mean.

Rich

definitely need more than 12 volts with a Hobbico...... I tried two fully charged 4amp 12volt wet cell cycle batteries in parallel and both my Hobbico starters (one brand new, one older) would barely turn a Magnum .46XLS over when not hot......to me,..... that makes Hobbico starters pretty much useless. after experiencing that, I haven't even considered trying them on my .60's and that's what I bought the starters for.

As I said the heavy duty hobbico 180 will start my Zenoah 26 & 38 gas engines and Dle 35ra. I use a lipo battery 3 cell and 4 cell. You are saying yours will not start your glow engines?? Time for the trash.

Rich

Most people at my field use LiPo batteries for their starter. Often times these are batteries retired from flight use but still good enough for a starter. These batteries far outperform even new Pb based batteries that just don't have the current capacity that a good LiPo does. Yes, LiFe batteries would also work. I've used a Hobbico 180 for years and find it to be every bit as good as any Sullivan starter I've ever used or owned. The standard Hobbico starter is a wimp though. With the Horizon takeover, are any of the Hobbico starters even still available?

Edit: I see all the Hobbico starters as "discontinued" now so they become a non-issue probably never to be seen again.

yes. I bought two 4amp wet cell cycle batteries from Fleet Farm, charged them up and tried them in series and in parallel. as I said, both starters are "Torque Master Deluxe 90" starters. one is brand-spankin' new, that I bought unused, other and the other is older but in perfectly good condition that was given to me by a retired commercial pilot, that I know does not abuse his equipment and all it was used on was a Super Tiger .40 engine in a Kadet. neither one of them would crank a magnum .46XLS over unless I got the starter running and bumped them to the engine. from a dead stop, neither one would make it past the compression without just about coming to a dead stop....they both just barely get over the compression stroke with fully charged batteries wired in series or parallel....as I said, I tried both ways I can easily hold the starter from spinning with my hand by gripping the drum,......useless. I had both apart, checked the switch contact points, which were both perfectly clean and showed no reason not to work right. I made sure the alligator clips were clean and dug into the posts good and that the posts were clean (both batteries are brand new, so the posts were clean. finally,... I wired the chord directly to the posts, using the bolts supplied with the batteries and it did not help at all. I did this with both starters.
the only thing I can say is that I have to try a higher amperage battery(s) next, but sure thought the Batteries I bought would be enough. there is no minimum amperage listed in the directions other than the 12 volt requirement, which both batteries are.
I hate to think I have to lug around a bigger heavier battery for them. the two batteries I have fit in my box nicely and aren't bad for a short haul. as far as i'm concerned right now,...these starters are garbage and Hobbico ripped me off for one of them.

Shortening the power cord by mounting the battery to the starter also helps by reducing voltage drop.<br />I mounted a battery box to an old H9 starter and fitted a 25500 mAh 4S A123 pack, spins a 20cc like a toy!<br />Pete

As Pete says another alternative to a Lipo pack is the A123 systems Life pack as that one too can supply the required current with little voltage drop.<br />Also the wiring on all starters leave something to be improved on. If the wiring was shortened or 12 gauge silicone covered battery wire used ; that would help. Most starters use about 18 gauge wire.....too small.

Went into Harbor Freight (the Men's toy store) just to look around while the wife was shopping next door. Found an 18V NiCad drill battery and charger for about $20 thanks to my 20% off "super coupon". Works great! When that goes will consider a LIPO pack.

Thanks to all for the replies (above).

Now just need to start looking for a replacement for my Hobbico 90 starter. It has served me well for many years...even starts my DLE 35RA easily but it is aging.

A123 cells also have an advantage in that they can be left sitting without much concern over charge level, unlike a high C rated lipo.
Pete