For what it?s worth, as a representative of the factory, I am hoping to answer some of the questions on this thread, propose some solutions and generally clear-up any misconceptions about Sky-Tec starters. In order of the posts on this thread:
1) Scott, obviously with only 500 hours on your Sky-Tec 122-12HT starter, you should be getting the same performance you were getting when it was new. The HT is a very rugged starter and should give you great performance past your engine TBO. Your mention of using a Gel Cell battery does concern me a little as they do not generally put out the same level of power as an ?equivalent? RG battery but since you?ve been through the Sky-Tec trouble shooting guide and still suspect it may be the starter, please give me the opportunity to evaluate the starter for you here at the shop (go to
http://www.skytecair.com/Obtain_RA.htm or call me at the number below).
2) Cubdrvr, your experience of ?not hearing many good points about the Sky-Tec? also concerns me. Sky-Tec has more than 25,000 starters out there and in a typical week, I may see only a dozen or so of those coming back to the factory for overhaul or repair. We just got back from Sun ?N Fun and the folks stopping by the Sky-Tec booth were overwhelmingly complimentary of our starters and their performance in the field.
3) Cubus Maximus. Well, I can?t claim our starters don?t die. They do. But most give up the ghost well past engine TBO.
4) bill willcutts. I will not say anything bad about the B&C product. I flew behind one for years on my Starduster Too and it performed perfectly. Bill makes a good starter. However, I must clarify the misperception in your saying ?I understand that skytech uses quite a few internal parts that are plastic and wear quicker over time.? Sky-Tec uses three parts internally that are reinforced plastic and despite the fact that (as I mentioned previously) we have 25,000 starters out in the field. Of those that have returned for overhaul and service since the inception of the company (or warranty work) we have NEVER ? EVER seen one of our starters fail due to the plastic parts. I cannot say the same for the METAL parts. So yes, we use glass-reinforced plastic resin components for added strength and weight savings but they are each used in places that do not receive force/loads demanding anything else. And again, there have been ZERO Sky-Tec starter failures due to the use of the composite components.
5) AKCub. Please do call us. We LOVE to talk to customers, prospects and the general flying public whenever we can and we welcome your calls ? 800-476-7896. We?re all plane owners and pilots and I for one love to share whatever information you may find useful in your own flying pursuits and aircraft ownership.
6) Icecub As you noted, Spruce sells the B&C starter for around $580. Sky-Tec?s typically fetch about $450 from Spruce. We believe you can realize even more savings if or when your starter should need repair or overhaul but most importantly, we believe the Sky-Tec starter is not only equivalent to but superior to the B&C and we hope to prove it ?out there in the field? too.
7) PA12driver. Ouch. That hurts. If you really do have a box of Sky-Tec starters, I would appreciate you sending them to us here at the factory. I would be happy to overhaul whatever I can and get them out to other Cub owners as factory yellow tag overhauled units. Sorry we couldn?t keep you.
8 ) SuperCub MD ?the Skytec is that it is not designed to break away in case of a violent kickback? is simply not true. The current generation of Sky-Tec?s is designed to do just that ? break away in the case of a kickback (the mount is designed to break). However, due to improvements in metallurgy, we?re seeing more ?bends? and fewer ?breaks?. Our future generation of starters (first model shipping by OSH) will have a sheer-pin to enable it to break ?cleanly? internally and save most/all moving parts in the event of a kickback.
9) PA12Driver Hmmm, ?Major improvement is that there is no end bell to stick out past the nose bowl, allowing the closure of the "whole". This is where the elements (dirt, water) get to the starter!? sounds like you were using our PM/LS starter. We typically recommend our HT starter to Supercub pilots since it too is completely sealed against the elements and has no ?nose? on it to interfere with your Cub nose bowl. Too bad we couldn?t help you before your switch. But as I said, I think you?ll find the B&C a good product too.
10) Supercub. ?my starter is acting up a little? ? and since it?s a Sky-Tec, please CALL ME! Let?s get it right or if it?s not the starter, figure out what is not right. That?s what I do. Rich 800-476-7896! Let?s define ?acting up? and get your starter back to ?acting down?. : )
11) Crash ?the one in the PA-14 seems to hang engaged for a second after the engine starts then kicks out? That?s completely normal on the permanent magnet starters (LS and PM) ? they?ll stay engaged while they run down and they?re designed to do so. The HT?s won?t hang but for less than a second before they ?pull in?.
12) Steve ?Is there a Bendix in the other style like the old heavy starters? I know the old bendix won't disengage until 1000-1500 rpm.? Whoa ? no Bendix on Sky-Tec starters (that?s the key). No maintenance. No Bendix failures. A couple seconds of engagement past key release (or start button) is normal as I mentioned.
13) Cubdriver ?I have about 700 hours on a Sky Tech with no problems. It still spins the prop real fast, just like the day it was installed.? WHEW! I was hoping we could find a few posts more representative of 99% of the customers I speak to on a daily basis. Thanks (your check?s in the mail ; )
14) AKCub ?Has anyone with Skytech starter problems tried lubing the drive shaft to fix them?? NOOOOOOO! Please do not. Sky-Tec starters are maintenance free. The best way to keep them lubed is to USE THEM. Plain and simple. Won?t hurt it if you do lube it. Just don?t let too much ?gunk? (technical term) get in there when you do.
Well, hopefully I addressed everyone?s concerns on this thread and only put a few of you to sleep with the length of my post. In the future (now that I?m ?online? with Supercub.org), I?ll try to keep it to quick answers to individual posts. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a note or a call!
