Starter

[Stuart Bishop]

Hi as im now going into bigger engines i need a starter as i have a z62 & starting it from cold is not fun arm like pop eye now
so if anyone can let me know what they use & where to buy one.
cheers
Stuart

[Bob Thompson1894]

Sullivan Dynatron can be used with 2 batteries on 24 volts, starts anything, but there are new, geared starters which seem to do the job.

[paul hughes]

I think the best starter is the classic prawn cocktail

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

one upon a time, i thought i could not start these engines as well, after a short instruction coarse from Glen, of Glens Models, (GREAT guy) my(then) 13 yr old son was starting them with ease, even now, with dodgy shoulders, i will still start one with relative ease, whats it installed in? Phil Clarke has a method for models with dainty undercart, mines more for a solid undercart

[Simon Willey]

If you do want a starter that will start your 62 then the Just engines geared one with a 4000ma 4 cell lipo attached underneath will start it no problem. I have one and its on its 4th season now and still as good as new.

Simon

[Ken Bones]

Get an easy start system, saves lugging all the Batteries etc about, It works really well on the 62.

Bonzey

[Stuart Bishop]

I have a Sullivan Dynatron been using it on a 4s lipo ill try a bigger pack then see if that does it.
i did get a info sheet & speak to Glenn i under stand you have to get the prop in just the right place.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

whats it going in?

[Stuart Bishop]

Its in a topmodel tcap 232

[Bob Thompson1894]

Stuart- if you want to use the Sullivan, go 24 volts, (two 12 volt gel batteries is fine) that will be man enough for it, but use for a maximum of 30 seconds at a time, or you could damage it.

[Dave Hayfield]

I've not yet found a Zen 62 that does not start easily if the prop is set in the correct position, if it's not you can flick it over all day in vain. Make sure that all three magnets on the flywheel are in a position to pass the coil at speed when turning the prop. This usually means setting the prop at about the two oclock position when you feel compression. A starter will end up ruining your spinner or putting a groove at the hub of your prop if you don't use a spinner. Also, don't be frightened of it, use a decent glove and follow through on your swing (or was that golf?)

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Bob, isnt the purpose of petrol to get rid of lugging daft great battery setups round?

RIGHT, its a rigid undercart, if it had been wobbly retracts in the wing, i would have said ask Phil, but, here goes,

loosen the 2 screws on the magneto, slip a piece of note paper between the flywheel, and the magneto, revolve until the magnets snap the gap shut, trapping the paper, tighten the screws. remove the paper,

turning the propdriver, NOT the prop, turn the crank until the start of compression is felt, put the prop on, at the 12.00 position, ( i used to say place the prop on at 12.00, but i was asked why at that particular time--seriously ) set all the needles to the book, and get the model ready for an engine run,

put the choke on, wind it through a few times, now then, its hit the prop time, now, this is not a hit it with a jack hammer, its a methodical slapping of the prop, about half way down the blade, think of it as slapping a face, its the same motion, do it with some authority, (practise on the wife or girlfriend, or both, ) do this, and with choke on it will fire, slap it once more, then take the choke off, now, i can do this entire thing in 5 slaps, its doable, try it, and dont forget, wear a glove, they are handy to keep all your fingers in one place when you lose them only joking, if my then 13 yr old could do it, anyone can, folks just seem to want to batter the hell out of a 62, i used too, i dont now,

[Bob Thompson1894]

Bob, isnt the purpose of petrol to get rid of lugging daft great battery setups round?

RIGHT, its a rigid undercart, if it had been wobbly retracts in the wing, i would have said ask Phil, but, here goes,

loosen the 2 screws on the magneto, slip a piece of note paper between the flywheel, and the magneto, revolve until the magnets snap the gap shut, trapping the paper, tighten the screws. remove the paper,

turning the propdriver, NOT the prop, turn the crank until the start of compression is felt, put the prop on, at the 12.00 position, ( i used to say place the prop on at 12.00, but i was asked why at that particular time--seriously ) set all the needles to the book, and get the model ready for an engine run,

put the choke on, wind it through a few times, now then, its hit the prop time, now, this is not a hit it with a jack hammer, its a methodical slapping of the prop, about half way down the blade, think of it as slapping a face, its the same motion, do it with some authority, (practise on the wife or girlfriend, or both, ) do this, and with choke on it will fire, slap it once more, then take the choke off, now, i can do this entire thing in 5 slaps, its doable, try it, and dont forget, wear a glove, they are handy to keep all your fingers in one place when you lose them only joking, if my then 13 yr old could do it, anyone can, folks just seem to want to batter the hell out of a 62, i used too, i dont now,

I agree Alan, but the question was not how to start a 62, but what starter would work. One of our guys cant start by hand, his shoulder is just too badly damaged, so he uses the 2 batteries (just gel cells) to start his. As for rapped knuckles, most Zenoahs are pussycats, but I have a 38 which insists on rapping my knuckles before it will start...

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

it is indeed the question Bob, but i hope he at least tries to set it up as stated, it may save him some money, and trips to the car to get all the extra gear

[Stuart Bishop]

As Alan said in his post about the paper & the prop that's the info i got from Glenn did all this & yes take plane to field with min tools & a can of petrol would be nice, one weekend this is what i did 2 hours later & 3 people with aching arms we gave up ,
once the engine has had its first flight of the day you can start it no problem, i had a dewalt 18v drill i put the cup from an old starter worked well now the old battry has gone in it was looking for something else just to do the first start

[Bob Thompson1894]

Paul- I prefer the Bruschetti........

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

sounds like you may have rubber diaphram problems, remove the cover on the carb, inspect it for rips, is it dry? do you have the prop at the 12.00 position? its all down to not thumping it, but using a gentle, but firm slapping motion, i wish i was nearer, i would have a go, but Glens method is sound, it may just be the carb, best of luck with it, how old is it? the one the lad was running had over 250 logged flights, it never missed a beat, in fact, at new, it was pulling against a spring balance at 21 lb, when we demoed the plane to the new owner, it was pulling 23!!

and i orefer a good ardeenes pattie, with good crusty bread Bob&Paul

[paul needham]

If you want to use a starter then the Miller reduction unit is worth a look, they have only just started a website in the last few weeks.
http://millerrcproducts.com/index.html

[Ken Bones]

Easy start unit I say!
Starts real easy with no effort!

Bonzey

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Today, i went to a mates to start a 62 that had lain dormant for years, about 10, used the method i gave here, it was firing on choke in 4 flicks, started it in under 10, started first swing after that, that 12.00 prop is a must, and the correct techinque with the swing, you can belt it all day, it wont go, but get the momentum right when the mags going over the magnets, and it will go, one thing, on the second run, we flooded it, took out the plug, dryed it out, and the next flick it was running, but it did not want to know when it was flooded, keep an eye on your carb, if it starts dropping petrol out, then clean the plug, take the choke off, and give it a go