gregoryshock

I've been looking for a new starter and battery combination. (I don't really need to buy both together) My old starter has always had trouble turning over my cold ABC, ABN, ABL Engines. I know this problem is not caused by after run oil. And I'm sure that I don't have too much fuel in the Engine. It just seems that after the Engines cool down over night, the next morning the Starter Can't seem to turn them over. When the Engines are warm, like right after a flight, they turn over easier. My starter is a Hobbico Starter that said it's designed to start up to a 90 size Engine, but I've even had trouble getting it to turn over a cold .40 ABC Engine. I suspect that it could be the Battery's I am using. I've always bought a 12 volt Motorcycle battery. I've even used some 12 volt gel cells. I was wondering if any of you could recommend me a starter and battery combination.

Note: I always break my engines in before installing them into my models.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Your starter is fine what you need is more voltage and virtually any of the current day 18 volt drill batterys work fantastic.

John

Minnreefer

I would agree with John, if nothing else, try the starter hooked up directly to the battery. If you are using a panel, the small wires, that connect it to the battery rob a lot of power. I currently use a large 4cell lipo battery on my starter, but I have the lipo charger, etc.

Jon

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Here are some of my starters and 18 volts is the minimum I would use these days with any starter. You can use the drill batterys as simple as just crimping on two female blade connectors on the long wire and using that way or there are many ways to attach the battery. I have ever just cut a balsa block and used RTV to glue it on.

John

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Here are some of my starters and 18 volts is the minimum I would use these days with any starter. You can use the drill batterys as simple as just crimping on two female blade connectors on the long wire and using that way or there are many ways to attach the battery. I have ever just cut a balsa block and used RTV to glue it on.

John

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

I have a 3s lipo on my standard Sulivan starter, turns over my YS 120 no problem

gregoryshock

Do you have pictures of your starter and battery?

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

I do now

p.s.
this start is 20+ years old and sill works great

Charlie P.

I have two I like.  An old Sullivan Hi-Torq that, with a 7A lawnmower battery in my flight box does all my glow needs, and with a Size 27 wet cell deep-cycle marine battey does my 26cc and 34cc engines just fine.  ;-)

I also have a planetary geared Pacific Aeromodel cordless that is great up to .90 glow and, more often than not, will start my 26cc as well.  



http://www.pacaeromodel.com/Review/Starter/Starter.htm

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

I run 4S thru my Sullivan and kick over Nelson and Jett engines with no problemo

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Another vote for 4S lipo.

RiverLarry

Yep 3S any OS 2s maid Saito 100 / 150 / 180 / dle 20 Sullivan !!!! ( yellow ) HT ///// S W Giant Scale master starter $ 89.95 4 S lipo Dle 55 and Dle 111 no problem 363 307 3404 My .02 R/L

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Over a year ago, maybe two? John posted about the packs he was using when he went to 18 volts on his starters. The pack is bought at Harbor Freight, part number 67029, the battery at that time was $10.00 and for $5.00 more you even got a fast charger. The charger gives you a full charge in 3 to 5 hours and should not be left on much longer. It took my old charger and gave it the zing I needed. With a fresh charge it will roll over the DLE 30cc gas engines. I run YS for the most part and it doesn't slow down on any of them. When it is in need of replacement I will take a look at there 24 volts. When on sale you can even get the battery, charger and the drill as a set for $20.00.

gregoryshock

Many of you are talking about upgrading to a higher voltage battery.  As far as I can tell my starter is only designed to be used with a 12 volt battery.  Wouldn't a higher Voltage Battery Burn the Starter out?  I'm guessing that most of you are using heavier duty starters.  Here is a link to my starter.  Tell me what you think.  

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL396&P=7

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

I use that same pack in a couple of my electric planes,, the thought of going out and buying a pack just for my starter that I use on my last glow power Float plane just didn't make sense, The lipo charges up in less than an hour when needed and will last a whole weekend of float flying.

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

Greg,
I am using 4s on the same starter too.
You will love how it runs one over and only need to charge a few times a year.

One thing I do is unplug the battery from the starter when I'm done for the day. That prevents any slow draw taking them below safe limits if I'm not flying for a while.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I have the same starter as you. The starter can handle the voltage as long as you don't keep rolling the starter for a long time. If you keep rolling an engine over that isn't going to start you can fuse the little compressed flat metal under the starter handle. If you really like to lean on it for a very long time you can over heat it. I have seen guys rolling over an engine that wasn't going to start until the cows come home and even with only 12 volts they can cook the starter. The starter is only on power for a few seconds if done correctly. I roll over my YS engines for about 10 or 20 rotations to pump up the tank pressure, then I connect the glow driver and start the engine. With 18 volts it doesn't even warm up the starters case. If all you use is glow then the 18 volts is just fine. If it's a worry then just buy a new 12 volt lawn mower battery. If the voltage was a big problem then I wouldn't be doing it. I can't afford a new one either. If I burn one out I will just call John and borrow one of his!!

Ed_Moorman

My Feedback: (1)

I'm with Graybeard. You shouldn't grind and grind on your engine with the starter. It's not good for the engine, it's not good for the started motor and it's not good for the battery. Prime the engine first. Open the carb, cover the exhaust or the carb and flip the prop 2-3 times. This should get some fuel up to the carb. Now you can throttle back to idle, attach the glow driver and use the starter. If the engine doesn't fire, something's wrong. Check driver battery, plug & fuel.

I use a 4-cell LiPo with a geared starter. Works great.

gregoryshock

I am not saying that I am ready to make a switch.  But I am curious what LiPo Batteries you guys are using?  Cell Number, Volt Number, mAh number, and is the pack balanced or unbalanced type, a smart or dumb pack?

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

4S4200mah with balance.

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

3s 1800mah 30c, balanced with a CellPro Charger,

gregoryshock

Could you guys provide a link to where you bought your Lipo Battery?

@ Gray Beard  what is Harbor Freight's website?

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

HK, cheapest place around if you can wait a while.

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

ValueHobby.com

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I get my lipo packs from Hobby King too. Harbor Freight?? I have two of them close by so I drive there. Just Google it.