Orphaned Engine

On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:05:36 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:


The thing starts on the first flip because it has an efficient
ignition system, one that automatically adjusts itself to the load and
a 20A. electrical system. But no starter, please. As it is, it
weighs about twenty pounds less than any engine offered by anyone
else.


the local vw powered Druine D3 turbulent has a starter.
there is a light weight ring gear added to the front of the engine. it
is a lightweight one welded to a disc that bolts in behind the prop.
the ring gear is from a japanese car, I forget which one.
the starter mounts in a simple bracket that bolts in place of the car
engine fuel pump. the starter turns over the 1600cc engine quite
easily.
the starter motor is a replacement for a large bmw motorcycle.
the overall weight of the setup isnt much.
it has been quite reliable so far.
Stealth Pilot


But of course, it's not a dune-buggy engine. And the Instant Experts
will stand in line to damn it with faint praise for that fact alone
even while it flys circles around them and is still going strong when
they're doing their second valve job of the year.

In my opinion, this is the perfect engine for an aerodynamically clean
single-seater, like Bruce Kings little beauty. Had fate dealt me a
different hand, that's what it would be going into. It would also be
a good match for a KR-1, the early Jodel, Druine, the Teenie Two and
similar designs.

Kill the parent, you got orphans. And that applies to engines, too.

-R.S.Hoover

Adding a starter is a trivial chore but on a properly assembled engine
there is no need to do so unless the engine is mounted on a pylon,
geared, or the prop is otherwise remove from easy access. With a
suitable ignition system the engine starts as easily as a lawn-mower
and will continue to run so long as their is fuel and air, unless it
is shut off..

Some conversions, such as the Aero-vee, use an ignition system having
a single, fixed firing point. The engine will not start unless
rotated at about 300rpm, making a starter motor a necessity. Others
use a belted or geared drive having such a high ratio that hand-
propping is impractical..

When all elements of an electrical starting system are included, the
weight can be as much as forty pounds more than for a hand-propped
engine.

On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:03:32 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

Adding a starter is a trivial chore but on a properly assembled engine
there is no need to do so unless the engine is mounted on a pylon,
geared, or the prop is otherwise remove from easy access. With a
suitable ignition system the engine starts as easily as a lawn-mower
and will continue to run so long as their is fuel and air, unless it
is shut off..

Some conversions, such as the Aero-vee, use an ignition system having
a single, fixed firing point. The engine will not start unless
rotated at about 300rpm, making a starter motor a necessity. Others
use a belted or geared drive having such a high ratio that hand-
propping is impractical..

When all elements of an electrical starting system are included, the
weight can be as much as forty pounds more than for a hand-propped
engine.

But to run a starter, no electrical "system" is required. Just a
battery capable of cranking the engine over a few times. Recharge it
when you park the plane.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

But to run a starter, no electrical "system" is required. Just a
battery capable of cranking the engine over a few times. Recharge it
when you park the plane.
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Well, let's see now. You've still got the battery onboard so that
means a battery box & cables. Then the cables need some kind of
control... even a knife switch will do but you gotta have one...
unless you're planning on just rubbing the cable against the battery
post. From the switch at least one of the cables has to run to the
starter motor which of course has to be held in position so as to mate
with the ring-gear, which you still need too.

So it looks alike you've still got everything in the average
electrical 'system' except the dynamo & regulator/rectifier. And if
you're using the coaxially installed jobbie I've described in previous
articles you've just saved yourself the grand sum of 7.36 pounds,
ending up with 90% of an electrical system that can't produce any
electricity.

With logic like that I'd be ashamed to sign my posts too :-)

-R.S.Hoover