I have a never been run RCV60SP that did not come with a Starter adapter. I have made one with a piece of hex stock (the correct metric dimension), should I "round" the edges or leave it "square"? Also, my dealer could only get me an APC 14x13.5 2 blade prop, will this work ok?

Thanks,
Jason

AMA #365756

Hi Jason

Sorry for the delay in replying, I was away at a show in the USA.

In answer to your queries, please do not round off the edge of the hex stock. Also, please ensure that you use a starter motor, NOT a drill to start the engine. A drill does not turn fast enough once the engine starts and this can damage the engine.

With regard to the propeller, the smallest APC we have tested and recommend is a 14x14, but a 14x13.5 would probably work okay.

I hope this helps. If you have any queries, don't hesitate to contact me.

Best regards
Laurenne

I am asking behalf of a club member who has a 120 and had problems starting over the weekend.

Twice the starter hex rod became detached from the starter as the engine fired, the first time it got kicked by the prop 15 feet or so forward. The second time it kicked backward and hit the guy trying to start it! it also took 2 inches off both ends of the APC prop. It was suggested by those assembled he might try a Helicopter style starter that has a one way bearing in it and also a ball end (which would allow the the starter to be angled away from the engine) granted the bearing would have to be flipped to cope with the clockwise direction.

After reading your comment above re rounding edges I'd be interested for some advice to pass on before someone gets seriously injured

Thanks

JTW

Hello JT,

Thank you for raising this question for your friend. Could you please clarify a couple of areas for me….is it the hex rod only, that is becoming detached or the whole starter (Adaptor including hex rod).
Also, what type of starter is your friend using i.e. Sullivan High torque and has the rubber cap been removed from the starter pulley? If you could please let me have the answers to these, I will try and establish what the problem is.

Many thanks

Angela
RCV engines - UK

Hi Angela

yes it does sound like one of theose ' Hello doctor I have this friend who has a rash' stories..... is simply he doesn't have internet access and I thought I see if anyone else were having similar problems.

from what I can recall it is a chromed hex rod attached to a fairly heft 'slug' of metal 2-3inches long which is then press fitted into the rubber cup. He started by using his own starter which plainly wasn't up to the job, then borrowed a Sullivan Dynatron which did turn it over with ease.

thanks

John

Hello John,

No problem about asking questions for your friend. You are absolutely spot on with your description of the adaptor. Glad to see he has a Sullivan starter, the RCV120SP engines are very high torque and need a good starter. I will assume it was the whole Starter adaptor that was flying out.......
With most starters there is a rubber cup, for use with the RCV Starter Adaptor this cup must be removed or, if you try and fit the starter into the cup alone it is likely to throw out in any direction! For this reason our instructions specifically advise the removel of this rubber cup which is quite an any easy operation....just remove the rubber cup out of the starter pulley, remove the nut behind it, then remove the starter pulley. Secure the Starter Adaptor with the two screws provided. Please ask you friend to ensure this operation is carried out, if not already done so. If he needs any further assistence on how to do this then please let me know and I will send you something direct.

I hope this information will help.
Have fun

Angela
RCV Engines - UK

Hi John,
I have two SP90's that I have been breaking in. I at first tried to use some type of starter, but now I use a drill just to turn the engine over to loosen it up after not having been run. I don't have any fire to the plug at this time. Then I open up the carb and make sure it has plenty of fuel and then cloce it down to less than a quarter open. I then put fire to it and hand flip it with a chicken stick or a gloved hand. I don't use a starter anymore. My engines will start by hand flipping. I don't need a special starter set up. That's my 2 cents on the subject.
Take care,
Bob

I have an RCV120 and can't getthe thing started for the life of me.
I have a hobbico 180Torquemaster with the correct starting hex, but I don't think it's going fast enough, can this be started simply using a chicken stick ?
And Ideas ?

Hi

If this is a new engine, you may be experiencing problems starting it as it maybe tight and not run in. If possible it may help initial starting if the engine was warmed up by using a hot air gun applied to the cylinder head. Once run in the engine should start using a chicken stick.

I hope this helps, however if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Best regards
Stephanie

Stephanie,
Thanks...I'll try preheating it as it is in-fact very tight.
+Sean