Would anyone care to tackle this subject? Ads/Cons?

Starter Box, Best thing since Sliced bread

I agree starter box!

Yep, in my opinion, this is the basic thing that separates the casual/basher user from the serious hobbyist/racer... for monsters, fine, rotostart, since they do not have an exposed flywheel, but for racing vehicles such as buggies, a starter box is absolutely essential...the benefits?

1) Sealed back plate (more reliable tuning and running from your engine and one less point of failure).
2) One starter box, all your 1/8th buggies (you can even get one that can be fully adjusted to use with 1/8th on road/off road, 1/10th etc., all in one starter box)
3) Faster more efficient, effortless starting.
4) All race spec engines are supplied with sealed backplates, if you wanted a really nice engine, you'd have to search for a compatible rotostart backplate/pullstart, and compromise the engine's efficiency by changing the sealed backplate.

The downsides

1) High initial investment
2) Heavy when batteries loaded.

HTH...

A MEN Starter box hands up and down.

JK

foxy has said it all. A starter box is the way to go

oh and i guess a larger engine can fit on your car without a pullstart, no?

I sold a lot of my r/c car stuff a couple years ago, including my starter box (getting $ for heli). I recently got back into 1/8 buggies and am using a buggy with a pull-start. I will probably end up getting a starter box, but I am currently enjoying having one less thing remember to bring to the track, and to lug around. Using a pull-start is really not a big hassle; with the tuning right it starts up easily.

Is it possible to fit a bigger non-pullstart engine than the maximum size pullstart?

Well, I've no experience with pullstarts tbh, it was the very first thing to 'go' on my Hyper 7, way back when...however, I would suggest that the fact that most good engines are rear exhaust, means that there is space behind the engine meant for the manifold/header, meaning that there is also enough room for a pullstart. Further thinking that you can fit ANY big block engine into most buggies, I would say that you shouldn't have a problem to put as big an engine as you want, with or without pullstart. Like I say, the header will take up space back there anyway...why? What specifically are you thinking?

There are quite a few rear exhaust engines with pull starters but most are sports engines. I do not know of any what I call full race engines with a pull starter.

Correct me if I am wrong but the only monster truck with out accuse to the flywheel for a starter box is a Savage. I know the Revo can use a starter box.

I'm sure you're right, the only MT I have any experience with is the Savage (and that only cos I bought one last saturday just for a laugh )...thanks for the correction...

oo, i forgot that most engines have rear exhuast. I only had experience with side exhuast, thanks for the tip.

Would you say that its simpler to start your engine in a cold day with a starter box than pullstart?

Hot/cold, it's all about the glow plug and engine tune...no easier or harder in hot or cold weather, as long as you have the right plug and a good tune, either is fine. It's always easier to start with a starter box than a pull start or a rotostart, in any weather.

If you have a big change in climate from one race day to the next (throwing of the tuning), it can be a bear to get it initially started with a pull-start to re-tune. A starter box would make these times much easer. Once the summer weather gets relatively stable, and tuning will not change drastically, using a pull-start is only a marginal p.i.t.a.

Case in point. I just picked up my turmoil and my new starter box is not in yet so I am breaking it in using the included roto start. What a P IN THE A!!!

with a starter box you just push down on the car and it is started. I need an third hand to use the roto start with this rich engine.

oh. Is a starter box very big? what would you say the common dimentions are?

I just sold my 1/10 scale box and orderd a ofna chrome top 12 volt box. the smaller boxes are about 6 inches wide and 18 inches long and 4 1/2 inches tall. I have had better luck useing a 12 volt gel cell battery, my fist box was a duratrax with two 550 motors. I tryed to use two 6 cell packs and it just sucks. The 12 volt is only about $18.00 and only needs to be charged every few weeks. I had a box with jumper to hook up to my truck too. That is also a Pain.

ooh christ. thats huge, what do they put in there? Is it just a huge battery with a motor?

its not really that big or heavy. Its nothing at all really if you go racing. Basically its a metal box, with a battery in it, and a motor with a big rubber wheel attached to it by some means that spins the cars flywheel. Ive got one with a single huge-o motor with tons or torque, and no belts. Ive also got a gell cell that has lasted forever.
Its got some plugs on the side where i can plug in my charger to charge the battery. Ive also got a little power panel on the front, and a glow starter that runs off the battery. For the record im actually using a 1/10 scale starterbox, its smaller and lighter.

and thats my starter box in a nutshell.

and it better then a pullstart.

and a roto start.




the end

If you are runnig a buggy you are going to want a box with a decent motor. Like I said I like the large 12 volt motors But there are couple of guys that I have spoke with that have the ofna box with two 750 motors that they are very happy with.

With a starter box your pull coard will never break and you will never have trouble with a one way bearing

very nice. Are there 1.5-volt outputs on the power panel? I think i'd be nice to have a glow starter with it as well. Then its less batteries to worry about.

yes.

would you say its still worth the money for bashing purposes?