Ken6PPC

My geared Magnum starter won't turn over my new OS 1.60FX (ringed). (Well, technically, it was used when I got it, but it is new to me.) Anyway, I flip-started it to confirm that it runs fine, but I would prefer to be able to use an electric starter.

I thought my Magnum would work, but I guess I need something with more muscle. It works great on my Saito 1.25, but that was my largest engine, until my last two purcahses. I hate to go to one of the REALLY big starters, which costs >$200. One guy at the field told me that he just uses a Magnum running on 24VDC for everything, and he just replaces it every year or so.

Perhaps my starter is getting weak. How long do starters normally last?

What do you guys use for a larger engine like this?

Thanks in advance. ...Ken

dant-RCU

My Feedback: (3)

Ken:

I use a Magnum geared starter with two 7-cell 3600man NiMH car packs in series. Big Engines it starts are a Moki 1.8, Saito 1.80, Fuji 32cc gas (magneto) and a Saito R325 radial. Have been using this starter for 4 years with no problems. I haven't noticed any fall off of starting ability but I did replace the battery packs last fall. Other club members have grabbed it to start a variety of different engines. I haven't had to go up to 12volts - yet.

Works for me.

Dan

gunfighterII

This should handle your 160, I always use a motorcycle battery to start rather than going thru the field box.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFT88&P=0

vicarh

My Feedback: (1)

Dan,

If you are using 2 seven cell packs in series you are producing 16.8 volts. Each cell has 1.2 volts x 14 cells... I have a similar setup (2 - 7 cell packs) connected to a Kavan geared which starts a Saito 150 without a problem. People at my field have borrowed it to start all sorts of engines and everyone comments on the power...

Flyboy Dave

My Feedback: (21)

.....the best thing I found for starting power is more amperage. Get a garden tractor battery
for about 35 bucks....and a heavy duty starter.

FBD.

Don M.

My Feedback: (5)

Just curious why you would prefer to lug all that gear around to start an engine that will fire up 98% of the time with just a backward nudge of the spinner ?

Hobbsy

My Feedback: (102)

I use a Sullivan Dynatron and a 300 amp garden tractor battery with an ACE Power Panel.

AMB

the only time I use that little 7 amp battery is for my half A starter, the magnum and cermark get the tractor battery too you need the amps on the larger engines martin

blw

My Feedback: (3)

Dynatron with a 325 amp garden-tractor battery. Just bought a new Hobbico Accu Glow power panel.

Flyboy Dave

My Feedback: (21)

....2-3 years ago, I got one of those geared down starters. I still haven't used it. The
garden tractor battery still starts them all. The best thing about the big battery is, not
only does it start my stuff all weekend....

....it starts everyone else too.

FBD. [8D]

Ken6PPC

You guys have convinced me. I bought a garden tractor battery at Wal-Mart last night. If my Magnum starter won't work on the 1.60 with that power souce, I'll buy a Dynatron. Probably should have bought one of those a long time ago!

Thanks for the help! ...Ken

Flyboy Dave

My Feedback: (21)

....that Dynatron starter looks good....[sm=thumbup.gif]

FBD.

asmund

I have had two "El Cheapo" starters, one for 60 size and one for up to 120 size. They both are dead now and I got tired of crappy starters and bought the Dynatron from Sullivan. Had I bought it in the beginning instead of those cheapos I would have saved some cash. Well well, I like to get things for cheap, but starters is not the right place to save a few bucks I have found[:@]

Rcpilot

My Feedback: (78)

I've been using the same starter for 9yrs. It's the only starter I ever bought in this hobby and it's still going strong. It will crank a Saito 180 - Moki 2.10 - MDS 2.18 - and a Ryobi 31cc conversion gasser.

What is it?

It's the old planetary geared hobbico starter. The black one. I've tore into it a couple times over the years and replaced the grease. I use wheel and axle bearing grease in it. Not packed full of that thick grease, just enough to lube the gears and bushings on the main shaft.

If I hooked it up to a high amperage battery--I'd bet money it will turn over a 40cc gasser. I've just been using it on my field box 7amp batteries all this time.

Most of the time, I just use a chicken stick. Probably 95% of the time.

I only use the starter on engines with a Cline regulator or a magneto ignition.