disappointed in Skytec starters

[PerryB]

Let's see, he thinks he has a grounding problem and has a set of jumper cables.... shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Oh well, I'm sure the mixture and carb heat cables will do just fine.

[wireweinie]

Don't forget the primer lines. They're copper just like a cable is! lol

Web

[mike mcs repair]

Don't forget the primer lines. They're copper just like a cable is! lol

Web

I tried that! They glow red on start on a 185... but.....
Might not of been primer, but they were copper lines...

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[astjp2]

From my experience if you switch over to the NL your problems will go away. Knew all the guys at SkyTec when they were in Grandbury and they came here and me there several times. Inside knowledge is a good thing.

I would love to switch but I dont think our 141/135 cert will allow me to swap models.

[wireweinie]

I would love to switch but I dont think our 141/135 cert will allow me to swap models.

You just got to explain that one to me. Your ops specs do not allow you to use PMA'd or STC'd parts?

Web

[Kyle Wolfe]

Likely a school program? I ran one of those for seven years, not that big, but.....Students, and especially flight instructors are the WORST enemy of an airplane’s starter. And a few other parts.

Im not defending one starter over another, but has management at your school initiated a program to ENSURE everyone there knows how to start an aircraft engine?

Oh, I know....it’s not rocket science, right! But I can tell you that knowing how to start an engine WELL has prevented me from sleeping in bug infested swamps and with brown bears many times. Being “stuck” in Ekalaka, MTisnt near as bad, but....

Id highly recommend you create a short but pointed mandatory training for all, instructors especially, on how to start an aircraft engine. Sounds silly, I realize, but I guarantee it’ll pay for itself regardless of starter brand.

MTV

Mike, care to elaborate on how to start an engine “well”? I grew up around machines including airplanes, but all I’ve ever been told is to crank no more than 15 secs. Wait 1 minute. Try again. After 3 tries it’s time to trouble shoot.

Interested to hear what else I’ve missed!

[mike mcs repair]

Thread here where the guy replaced everything and it still didn't work. I asked about using a multimeter. Said he had one.
https://www.shortwingpipers.org/foru...6-Slow-starter

I shake my head at your saying ground cable needs to be same size gauge as the SHORT GROUND STRAP/CABLE from engine to fuselage(I don’t do engine to mount, to many loose connections in engine mount lugs) basic electricity!!! Big cable Like you say doesn’t hurt, but is NOT anything but extra weight. Look at the chart in 43.13 for length and size. The only way your interpretation would be VALID is if you were running a long ground cable all the way to battery like on a composite airframe. But you are NOT, we are using the fuselage usually to conduct most of the flow. I have used same size wire, mostly out of laziness and not having proper smaller size on hand..... but preferably a #8 is plenty as a grind from engine case to one of those SMALL 8-32 screws poking through firewall

Remember a wire is like a leaky soaker hose, longer it is the more it leaks on the way, so if it’s longer you need bigger...


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[Steve Pierce]

Glad I made you shake your head Mike.

[RaisedByWolves]

How did you make out? I have a cub that has been going through starters


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[astjp2]

Mike, care to elaborate on how to start an engine “well”? I grew up around machines including airplanes, but all I’ve ever been told is to crank no more than 15 secs. Wait 1 minute. Try again. After 3 tries it’s time to trouble shoot.

Interested to hear what else I’ve missed!

skytec has a placard that is supposed to be put in the cockpit, says no more than 30 second and so many minute wait.
I would like to know if I can use the nose piece and mount from a 24 volt starter and convert it to 12...for a home built.

[skywagon8a]

How did you make out? I have a cub that has been going through starters

What is the condition of the teeth on the ring gear? They take a beating (rust) when the plane lives outdoors.

[RaisedByWolves]

The ring gear is fine, the starter stops working. Quick tap of the hammer and it works again. Solenoid will click, tap starter. We are on the 6 month plan. Skytec NL. I have never had an issue with skytec for years. That changed when they got sold.


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[Steve Pierce]

They have had some solenoid issues, seen it on the Carbon Cubs quite a bit. Done several warrantee replacements on them due to starter failure but thaought it was indicative to the starter they were using. Always had excellent service out of the NL.

[skywagon8a]

Who makes their solenoids? Cole Hersee in South Boston has been making high quality solenoids for decades. I kept having trouble with the Cessna supplied starter solenoid in my 185. Switched to a Cole Hrsee, no more troubles. Perhaps they make a suitable model?

[RaisedByWolves]

Apparently Skytec is experiencing some issues with legacy starters but are working on it. We are on the 6 month plan currently. I will add that it does prop nice with the surefly electronic mag, even on the ice. The starter will click. That's all. Ring gear is good, solenoid is new, new copper starter cable from the starter to the solenoid, good engine ground. The entire starting system was replaced a few months ago. Got rid of the aluminum cable.

[astjp2]

968 hours since new barely cranks, installed in March of last year. All that grease is since last 100 hr, just never seems to stop oozing

[skywagon8a]

968 hours since new barely cranks, installed in March of last year. All that grease is since last 100 hr, just never seems to stop oozing

Where is the grease coming from? Has it been over greased getting into the electric motor? Perhaps it just needs a good internal cleaning. Grease and electricity do not work well together.

[astjp2]

Factory new so whatever they put inside them

[skywagon8a]

I would take it apart to try to find the issue. Particularly with that amount of time on it.

[Steve Pierce]

How much voltage at the starter?

[DENNY]

Mike, care to elaborate on how to start an engine “well”? I grew up around machines including airplanes, but all I’ve ever been told is to crank no more than 15 secs. Wait 1 minute. Try again. After 3 tries it’s time to trouble shoot.

Interested to hear what else I’ve missed!

Kyle
You should be able to prop a 0320/0360/0470 by hand so if you have to crank it than more 4 -6 blades with the starter it is time to trouble shoot, or learn how to properly start it as Mike suggested. Both my cub and 180 usually start on the second blade unless I screwed up.
DENNY

[wireweinie]

How much voltage at the starter?

Yes, and while cranking.

Web

[cubflier]

If you have a min/max feature on your multimeter it is handy when diagnosing starter circuit issues on any vehicle.

Jerry

[astjp2]

Talked with Western Skyways about warranty on one with 318 hours on it. They said that they will add it to their pile, they have a bunch of warranty ones. so its not just me from what it sounds like.

[astjp2]

Western skyways warrantied the starter.

[astjp2]

Found this,

https://www.diamondaviators.net/foru...pic.php?t=5345

[astjp2]

Well I got 280 hours on the starter before the solenoid failed...Mechanically

[aviatoraf]

Good thread, I learned a lot. Enough to troubleshoot and fix the issue with my starter.

Turns out the engine-case-to-airframe ground cable has a crimp-on connector (to the engine case) which was barely loose … but loose enough to introduce resistance and keep the starter from engaging. I used the largest pair of vice grips I have to clamp down on the crimp and tighten it up. Now, the starter works as it should.

Now, my question to you guys: what is the proper tool to crimp that heavy of a gauge of crimp connector? I am fairly certain that the vice grips didn’t crimp as well as it should be crimped.

[sixmile]

i love skytec starters never a problem gotta figure out how to start your plane

[wireweinie]

Now, my question to you guys: what is the proper tool to crimp that heavy of a gauge of crimp connector? I am fairly certain that the vice grips didn’t crimp as well as it should be crimped.

Here is a pic of mine. It's just a no-name knock off version but if you do a search on line you'll find a lot of choices. One detail to watch for is if the crimper is made for insulated or un insulated terminals. Choose the correct one for you as the jaws are different.

Web

[Steve Pierce]

[aviatoraf]

Thanks guys. Looks like this one will work:

https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Termina...g+crimp&sr=8-5

[hotrod180]

If you think you'll only need it for this one crimp,
and don't really want to buy one,
NAPA or a similar auto parts place might be able to crimp it for you.

[astjp2]

i love skytec starters never a problem gotta figure out how to start your plane

we have 13 injected Lycomings and one carb one. Students suck at starting, constantly flood starting and half throttle…

[frequent_flyer]

we have 13 injected Lycomings and one carb one. Students suck at starting, constantly flood starting and half throttle…

If student suck at starting injected Lycomings perhaps the problem is the instructors. I never had a problem starting mine.