hi all

just curious, which starting method do you prefer to use and why?

i prefer to use the ol' "smart stick" (as i call it) and the regular rechargable glow start, theres less things to trip over and no pesky wires or leads to get tangled in the prop, i keep a small toolbox back in the pits area with my wrenches and stuff but other than that i just have the glow start and smart stick in my pocket. but mainly because my MDS .40 is still new and happily starts with a couple of flicks

i do the same as you. just less to deal with

starter with self contained battery (safer, no wires to snag in prop)
self contained glowplug battery (safer, no wires to snag in prop)
no panel or HEAVY battery and no wires

roughly the same costs
easier to use normally

offers the flexibility to start airplanes wherever they are
often start planes in taxiways, out near runway, wherever it's safe and more convenient than carrying them back

NiCds in starter pack easier to deal with than the heavier lead cell and pack has more voltage as well

I use the flight box with 12 volt cord starter, Battery Glow starter, 12 volt fuel pump.

Mostly cause I got the whole setup for less than 30 bucks used.

I also have a large sig flight box with 3 drawers and lots of storage that stays in the truck. I usually have the tools that we all need.

Del

I still hand start a lot but ALWAYS wear a leather gardening glove.

Why, well by turning the engine over by hand then flicking without the plug on you get a 'feel' for the engine and can pick up on a problem.

But lazy days wil see me with the leccy starter although I always turn over by hand at least once.

I have a starter that is connected to my box. You can get them with the batt. already connected with no wires. I mainly use the starter becuase its easier and faster. Some of my engines will not start with a chicken stick. (well they might on good days but it takes forever so I just hit it with the starter.) You will probably find out that once you get into bigger engines that it will be harder to start with the chicken sticks. Well thats what I have seen anyway. And in the cold weather its even harder!


rc-plane

I use a regular glow starter and a electric starter than connects to a battery. Really, if dont see whats that dangerous about these wires. You have the field box behind you, so theres no reason to have the wires anywhere close to the prop. Now if i also had a glow plug with wires, I could see the issue, with one set of wires on each side of the prop. That could cause trouble.

I've got the same setup as Rock. Works just as well as a power panel but theres no wires to get tangled up and caught in anything. ...And, well... I'm to lazy to use a chicken stick.

I agree with da Rock.
I always use a self contained started and glow igniter. If my starter dies, however, I've no trouble using a "smart stick" as you call it. You might get a better result from your poll if you edited it to include these.

Field box and battery for starter and pump. Seperate selfcontained glow source. I feed my engines fuel, not fingers.

All self contained and in one bin that easily rolls up to the plane on the ground. Glow starter is seperate from the plane too.

Electric starter, never had an issue with the cord getting in the way.
Self contained glow starter.
In the event that I have to go out on the field to start an engine I will hand flip it (chicken stick)

O yea I forgot to mention that I use the self contained glow starter

I do not use an electric starter very often for the same reason. You can feel the engine through the prop and pick up possible issues before they become catastrophic.

They use to crank cars by hand, but not for the last 70 or so years.

I don't use either method you listed here. I use an electric starter....rechargeable glow stick, sure... but I use a car jump start battery...
Why? Cause its easy..and I've seen planes that just wouldn't start with a chicken stick, fire up with the RPM a starter provides

[sm=lol.gif]
Too funny...



I use a field box with the starter connected to the power panel. Why the concern about the wires? I'm in FRONT of the plane with it tied down and the box is behind me. The starter is stretched so that the wires are not even close to the prop.

I use a battery powered glow plug igniter but if it is drained I have one that is connected to a battery. I place the battery behind the wing so those wires are not close to the prop either.

I have a 'chicken stick' in the box but have not used it.

I use the glow driver that's in the power panel and hand start 99.99999% of the time. My starters mostly stay in the box that only goes to the pond when I'm running boats. I certainly could use the starters for planes, I've got 3 of them, but I've found them to be mostly unnecessary for plane engines. Using the power panel glow driver allows me to adjust the output, which results in more consistent hand starting. While I've heard the concern about wires getting in the way, all you need to do is route the glow connector wire under, then over the wing to keep it away from the prop or anything else.

I use a "Chicken Stick" or start it by hand. Personally... I hate messing up my Nose Cones! [:@] I do have a Electric Starter, however I hardly use it.


Luftwaffe Oberst
Radio Aero Modelers Club
AMA District II
Pulaski, NY

At the field I always get a grin of watchin the guys just beat the crap out of the prop whack whack...
Yea electic all the way it will never cut your finger....
If the every thing is warmed up and runnin good yea I backflip no fire .. hit it with electric no need for me to show off
This the way I see it BTW this is for the beginner to read not to offen you old people.
Rich

I very rarely use an electric starter to start my engines (even the bigger engines. i.e. 120+size). I prefer to start using a chicken stick to flip start the engine. When done properly it's as easy, or easier, to start the engine with a stick than the electric starter. I cringe every time I see somebody pull out the electric starter and start cranking the engine until it starts. When this is done it can cause excess wear on an engine. Remember, these engines get their lubrication from the fuel in them. When an engine is cranked over dry there is no lube leaving metal to metal contact as the engine turns over. While it may only be a few seconds before fuel is pumped in those few seconds add up over the lifetime of the engine and can cause excess wear, reducing the lifespan of the engine. If an electric starter needs to be used at least take the time to prime the engine before cranking it with the starter, this way there is lubrication inside the engine. To prime the engine open the throttle wide open (make sure the glow starter if NOT on the engine), cover the exhaust outlet, and turn the engine over slowly and watch the fuel being pulled to the carb. Once the fuel is in the carb turn the engine over 2-4 more times to pull the fuel into the engine. This will prime the engine and lubricate it for starting.

Ken

If an engine doesn't start within 4 or 5 flips, something isn't right. Could be a bad plug, not enough glow power, failure to prime, or flooded, etc. Whatever the cause, continuing to flip over and over is pointless. If mine doesn't start within a few flips, I stop and figure out what's wrong.

But while we're on the subject of grins, I always feel sorry for people who grind a dry engine with the starter for 30 or 40 seconds because nobody ever taught them they should prime it before applying the starter.
Don't be so sure. Some people think that the prevalence of electric starters have caused people to become sloppy around the prop, leading to increased injuries once the engine is running.

LOL you guys are so sweet.
I also prime with prop for fuel then the looks I get when I then squirt prime fuel into carb.. but that’s just me. That YS 120 just comes to life it’s great. No grindin on the starter as you say. They just have that look when the starter just touches the spinner an it’s alive. BTW the primer bottle is only on cold first starts help get that after run out. Yea I use oil too. Just a black sheep here.
Iam not against anyone hand start with flipin I just see to many that can not an waste a lot of flyin time at the field. I let them go on for a awhile until ready for help then I hit it with my starter and it’s always THANKS..
Rich

I don't find not using a starter to take any longer than using one. It may occasionally take an extra 20 seconds or so, but nothing that would shorten flying time. I always have my electric starter with me just in case.

For the first start of the day, I usually just plug the exhaust with my finger, grab the prop and turn it over slowly (without the glow driver powered up.. use one from Radio South that has a button to activate the thing and LED's showing glow activity) until I see fuel flow through the fuel line. I then flip it a few times to get the prime, then hit it with the electric starter. My OS 1.20 AX's always start right up. I suppose I could use the chicken stick because that's how fast it will start, but I don't.

However, once warmed up and flown once, I usually just tap the prop hard enough in the reverse direction to get it to hit the reverse compression stroke with the chicken stick and it starts right up in the forward direction. That was a little trick that my instructor taught me. Works every time. No fingers lost.

DS.