Sullivan Starter Q

[sargan]

I just managed to pick myself up (via eBay) a new Sullivan Deluxe Hi-Tork starter, for less than 1/2 price.
It does not have a starter wand ... just the aluminium pulley & rubber cup.
2 questions ...
# Do I need to get the ‘pukka’ Sullivan starter wand , or are there 3rd party equivalents .. and are they easy to change.
# What is best way of powering ... get some NiMh or LiPo packs and fix to starter, or simply attach to a large Lead Acid battery ?

Never used a starter ... part of my first time Heli user kit.

[Pitman]

Definately get a lipo and fix it to the starter. If you need to take your starter to the flight line, you dont want to be lugging around a heavy lead acid battery. Also, if you can afford it, get the propper Sulivan wand, it does seem to last longer! Remember, the aluminium pulley is screwed onto the shaft, so it will not just pull off!

[sargan]

Definately get a lipo and fix it to the starter. If you need to take your starter to the flight line, you dont want to be lugging around a heavy lead acid battery. Also, if you can afford it, get the propper Sulivan wand, it does seem to last longer! Remember, the aluminium pulley is screwed onto the shaft, so it will not just pull off!

What combination of LiPo do I need for this ? assume it would be a 3S pack, what current ?

.... seen some photos of battery pack holders, wothwhile or diy something up ?

[Downdraft]

What combination of LiPo do I need for this ? assume it would be a 3S pack, what current ?

.... seen some photos of battery pack holders, wothwhile or diy something up ?

Lipo needs to be around 2600mha and 4s.

Ill pop some pics on in a while of a home made battery mount.

[Pitman]

What combination of LiPo do I need for this ? assume it would be a 3S pack, what current ?

.... seen some photos of battery pack holders, wothwhile or diy something up ?

Shaun uses an outrage 5S 3300mAh battery. No bracket required, just some velcro to hold the battery to the starter, and a velcro strap for security:

[chris jones2.4]

ive used 6s on my sulli before, works lovely but it will break ya wrists if you arent careful

[Downdraft]

ive used 6s on my sulli before, works lovely but it will break ya wrists if you arent careful

All good, I use a 6s on mine as well but this is a Hi Tork not a Dynatron and I think I'm correct when I say they are only suitable for upto 14 volts, so 4s is the maximum you can use on it safely knowing it won't pop.

[Pitman]

All good, I use a 6s on mine as well but this is a Hi Tork not a Dynatron and I think I'm correct when I say they are only suitable for upto 14 volts, so 4s is the maximum you can use on it safely knowing it won't pop.

Correct, the Dynatron is 24 volt, the 'standard' Sulivan is only 12 ~ 14 v

[Pitman]

ive used 6s on my sulli before, works lovely but it will break ya wrists if you arent careful

You guys must be real wimps down in South Devon!

Seriously though, you just have to be careful if your engine is flooded.

[chris jones2.4]

You guys must be real wimps down in South Devon!

Seriously though, you just have to be careful if your engine is flooded.

i have a pumped engine, so often its a plug out job

also i tried holding the shaft to see how powerful it really was

[Red3]

run mine on a 4s with a k&s starter shaft

[sargan]

Shaun uses an outrage 5S 3300mAh battery. No bracket required, just some velcro to hold the battery to the starter, and a velcro strap for security:

wouldn't 5S put it well over voltage ? ........ >20V

I assumed 3S as even that is >12V

Not arguing facts, just keen tio increase my understanding.

[sargan]

run mine on a 4s with a k&s starter shaft

can you give a link to the starter shaft you use ?

The Sullivan one seems so expensive.


Do you have a special bracket for the 4S pack ?

[sargan]

Lipo needs to be around 2600mha and 4s.

Ill pop some pics on in a while of a home made battery mount.

Thx in advance for pics

[Pitman]

The Sulivan Dynatron (which I showed in the photo, to show how to mount the lipo) is rated at 24v, so 5 cells is fine. The 'normal' Sulivan high torque starter is only a 12v one, hence the suggestions above to use a 3 cell battery. Also, remember to not hold the starter on for long periods of time - the switch is two parallel contacts, which can be damaged by overheating, and can weld themselves together.