Electric starters

[pro350hydro]

Lee and I both showed up to the Pro Nationals in Depue in 2005 with electric starters from Kart-O-Rama and everybody laughed and said we were cheating. Now it seems every major pro team within the USTS has them.

However, I recently broke the top off my VRP crankshaft and Steve Litzell is convinced it is from the starter banging on the nut. The starter is basically acting as an impact wrench which keeps tighting the nut and eventually over torques the nut and fatigues the metal to a breaking point.

Just thought I would throw this out for all you to chew on

Mike Sattler

[deverhart1]

The starter won't turn an antique as both cylinders fire at the same time. It is an opposed twin not an alternate firing twin. The starter just doesn't have enough oomph and it also really tries to twist out of your hands. Mike Gibson tried to make it work last year and it was a wash out
David Everhart S52

[pro350hydro]

Maybe you need an antique starter?????

The starter won't turn an antique as both cylinders fire at the same time. It is an opposed twin not an alternate firing twin. The starter just doesn't have enough oomph and it also really tries to twist out of your hands. Mike Gibson tried to make it work last year and it was a wash out
David Everhart S52

My 350cc VRP is also an opposed twin and the started works fine on it even when it is fresh and tight as a ******.

I must have a "special starter". Maybe that's why it broke my crank

Mike Sattler
R-15

[Larry Mac]

Lee and I both showed up to the Pro Nationals in Depue in 2005 with electric starters from Kart-O-Rama and everybody laughed and said we were cheating. Now it seems every major pro team within the USTS has them.

However, I recently broke the top off my VRP crankshaft and Steve Litzell is convinced it is from the starter banging on the nut. The starter is basically acting as an impact wrench which keeps tighting the nut and eventually over torques the nut and fatigues the metal to a breaking point.

Just thought I would throw this out for all you to chew on

Mike Sattler

This is something Kevin and me has been talking about, what keeps the nut from getting tighter and stripping the threads or breaking the crank like what happened to you. I could see something made into the rope plate working better than the crank nut.
Larry Mac

[pro350hydro]

This is something Kevin and me has been talking about, what keeps the nut from getting tighter and stripping the threads or breaking the crank like what happened to you. I could see something made into the rope plate working better than the crank nut.
Larry Mac

Larry,

I totally agree about making something to turn the rope plate instead of on the crankshaft nut and am already designing one to work on my motor. Then the crank would not know weather it was a rope or starter spinning the crankshaft. It might be harder on key ways but who knows. A well built motor should start easily anyway right?

Mike Sattler

[Steve Johnson]

Just what I was feared of

Always a downside.

[Dave M]

Good Ideas

In Mod the cost of a crank is pretty low, as they are everywhere at Marinas ready to be swpet away (D and FE). In Pro the ceanks are pretty pricey, so yes, that might be worth looking into. I would much rather strip a welded nut onto the roping plate than the actual crank nut. Lots cheaper.

Those starters sure are cool though. We used one on my 350CCH and it works like a charm. If it can turn over the 700CCH class it can turn over any Mod motor around.

[sadiemydog1]

Starter

Ordered one this morning. My old body is just not strong enough to rope the 44 mods anymore. Can still do it but pay the price the next day.
Art Kampen

[Bob Rusnak]

Opposed engine

The starter won't turn an antique as both cylinders fire at the same time. It is an opposed twin not an alternate firing twin. The starter just doesn't have enough oomph and it also really tries to twist out of your hands. Mike Gibson tried to make it work last year and it was a wash out
David Everhart S52

The 700 Konig is an opposed engine and needs a real strong person to rope it. The electric starter turns these with no problem. Maybe the timming was advanced too much with the antique. So far we have not had any problems with the crankshafts or nuts. It is not a impact wrench so it does not over torque the nut. The flywheel nut comes off with not too much effort when needed. I guess there are all types of oponions and ideas on this. Anyway we will continue to use it as it has saved several from not making a heat. Just my oponion.....Bob

[Al Peffley]

Have the Pit Guy Pull Straight Up!

I had a little scoring damage to the metal edge of my rope pulley top hole (for the crankshaft nut) because a pit guy helper using the starter on my pro motor two seasons ago did not pull stright up when the motor started; no other problems in two years... I would not recommend eliminating the rope pulley capability because your battery could malfunction (low charge or quit) at a race site when you need it the most.

Al

[Dave M]

Fyi

Kart O Rama's website has the started listed in three options. One of the options is Outboard race engines 350CC - 700CC I think. At any rate, no need to worry about it being short shaft, it is an option to click when you order. Placed mine today.

[pro350hydro]

This is what you want

http://estore.websitepros.com/768505/Detail.bok?no=45

Then when it says starter type, select raceboat.

And whip out your plastic!

[Dave M]

Bingo

http://estore.websitepros.com/768505/Detail.bok?no=45

Then when it says starter type, select raceboat.

And whip out your plastic!

This is what I purchased. In addition, I would recomend you purchasing the charger from YUSA. Being my dad is in the battery business, we do use their industrial chargers and they seem to work without a lot of trouble. So for under 400 smackers you can get set up with the starter and never break another knuckle.

Or in the 13M's case, dad's forhead when the 44 bites. I never saw so many worried faces on the beach when my 44 bit him and the rope handle got dad right in the forhead and bloodied it. The look of pure terror on folks face, and the 13M's, was funny. I think Shaun did not whether to run or try again... hehehe, he tired again, fired it off and then ran !! Before dad could recover from the initial shock... smart move 13M..

[Larry Mac]

Well guys I just got a Coleman Super Mini starter and I'm a little disappointed in it right now. I put it on a 44 Mod Merc to test out and it didn't turn it over. I checked the battery and it said 12.05 volts on the meter. I put a charger on it and brought it up to 13 volts. I tried it again and it did turned the motor over for about 30 seconds. It wouldn't turn it over again. I checked the battery and it was still above 12 volts. The battery is a GTX9-BS rated at 11 amp hours at 120 cold cranking amps. I am looking at a better battery , what do you guys think?
Larry Mac

[David_L6]

I think you need to build motors with less compression... About 75 lbs per cylinder should be just about right. That'll give the starter a better chance of turning over your motors and give the rest of us a better chance of keeping Kevin in site.