I need to replace my starter battery and I'm thinking of getting a motorcycle battery (some people at my flying field are using them).
Is there any advantage of using the motorcycle battery. Would I be able to use my 12volt charger?
Thanks.

The motorcycle battery will have more amps, and last longer. You really don't need it for an electric starter, but they are nice to have if you charge things alot at the field.

It depends on the amperage rating of the new battery (More amps. = more charging time)
The advantege is related to the same issue, more amperage, more punch and it will last longer.

I would ask you, how many times do you use the starter in the field?
If you have some engines harder to start, then it will be a good choice, but if your engines start easily and you fly 4 or 5 times a day, then IMHO there is no need to go with a larger a bigger battery.

I use a lawn mower battery. Like Brent says, it helps when you have a lot of things to charge. But if you are running planes under 90 size you really don't need a battery that large for your starter. I got mine to help turn over 140-160 size engines.

Ken

For my starter I use two NIMH Packs for rc cars wired in series and then just rubber band it under the starter. It is really nice because it makes is portable and you don't have a bunch of wires hanging off everywhere possibly getting caught in the prop or something like that.

Who's Brent?

JK, I got used to that a long time ago.

Sorry, my fingers typed that. I meant Brett of course!!!!!!!

Ken

I have .46 engines and they start relatively easy....I don't usually fly for more than 4 flights...I have a field charger but I didn't use it even once last season. In this case I just might stick to the hobby battery, if I'm not mistaken the motorcycle batteries are like $30+ the hobby one is below $20...

The lawn mower battery costs $19!!!!

But you're probably better off with the smaller batteries concerning your situation.

Ken

Will I be able to use my 12volt charger?

I might give it a try if it lasts longer.

as always, thank you guys for your help!!!

It depends on what 12v charger you have. It will probably charge it, but it may take a month or two to get it charged!!! For a battery like a lawn mower battery I use my automotive battery charger to charge it up.

Ken

RcKEn,

Thanks a lot. I will make a trip to my local hobby shop to pick up a new battery.

Thanks again.

Sometime ago I read a thread where posters explained the better and the worst of taking a lot of stuff to the field, in my very personal appreciation I like to go very "light" which means to go to the field with only the very necessary stuff. Then I stopped from taking to the field a very big tool box that I used to carry, instead of it I only use my oldie hobbico wood box which has been with me for about 20 years or so, in its drawer there are a couple of screwdrivers, two sets of Allen wrenches, a tach, a heat measurer device, my glow igniter, a wrench to tight or remove the prop nut, some clevises, bolts and nuts and that is it.
I have a heavy duty starter with a Hobbico battery:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LW8234&P=E

I still have an old 7 amp. Battery which is inside the tool box and powers the panel which in turn powers the fuel pump. ( I occasionally use a wired glow igniter)
I transport my transmitter in a JR transmitter's case and I like to go to the field with a cooler with different kind of drinks.
When ever I have crashed a plane I have never done any repair at the field, so there is no reason (for me) to take any glue (even that it know that it is very needed for others in many occasions) or additional tool.
So if I were to buy a new battery I would go for the lightest one.

Regards.

If you have a wholesale tools store check there first. I bought one of the hobbystlye 12V batteries for only $9.99. I've had it since August and its been dependable as can be so far.

Hi!
I think must of us who has been into this hobby 10-40 years use some kind of motor cykle battery in our field box to power both our electric starter , fuel pump and glow driver.
When I started 34 years ago I used a 12v , 7A lead battery but this is rather too small and now I prefer a slightly larger one on 10-12A.

For pylon racing I have converted to using a 14,8V, 2200mAh Lipo battery and it puts out much more power compared to the lead acid battery I used before (12V, 10A). It's also much lighter and smaller in size. Small automatic glow driver fits on top. (old racing box to the right)

Since I don't want to buy another charger that would be big enough to charge a motorcycle battery..I will stick to the hobby type of batteries...

Just went ahead and bought one at the hobby shop. Hobbico for $19.99....

Have been using one of those for the last 7 years. Great for starting and charging out at the field.

I got the tower battery and charger several years back for like $20 and I charge it 2 or 3 times a year...and I have used the charger to charge up my 50cc scooter battery, took about the same amount of time for the tower battery around 5 hours or so...but I generally fly smaller engined stuff,,,it has started a .65 4-stroke and a .40 2 stroke many times... but mostly .049-.15...if I fly mainly larger stuff, I would go lawnmower cheaper battery as opposed to motorcycle battery,,sometimes you can find them on the bay for $30-40, but the local auto parts store probably has a mower batt for $20....Rog

I use a 7 Amp hobby shop battery, but when I know it's down on power and I have not charged it, I'll grab the battery for my Electric start home generator, which sits disconnected until needed. It's a lawn mower battery. the only difference is that it can be spilled, because I bought the lead-acid instead of the sealled gel-cell.

Jack

The Hobbico battery is really great for the portable starter on smaller engines.

I'm still working on the right combination for my larger (1.20) glow engines.