Starter coupler

[Xterra]

I have been thinking about getting this adapter for my Stratus

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=404402&Category_Code=2Starter_Adapters

What do you guys think? Is it a good idea? Any suggestions?

Your help is very much appreciate it.

[capebob]

The problem as I see it with MA's Pro Flex was the one-way bearings were not up to the task of starting 90 engines. The Pro Flex has been redesigned and hopefully early bearing failure is a thing of the past. I could be wrong, but it looks like there is only one bearing in the adapter you are proposing to use and if that's the case there is no way it would hold up to starting a 90.

Bob

[DavidH]

I agree with Bob. I don't believe that adapter will hold up on a 90. I used that adapter several years ago with 60 size engines. I messed a couple of them up then. The starting wand has to be perfectly straight when taking in out of the adapter after starting. If it is angled any, it will screw up the bearing in the adapter.

I would suggest a 6mm hex adapter and a hex starting wand with one way bearing.
The Pro Flex from MA has also been redesigned. It now has a brass bushing in the end to relieve the stress on the torrington bearings.

David

[Xterra]

I have been trying to find one Pro Flex but I just can not find it anywhere. Any ideas where I can get one?
Thanks once again

[DavidH]

MA should have them in stock. They had some of the new design Pro Flex start shafts at IRCHA SE a few weeks ago.
Try Ray's Heli Resources on the front page. Ray was selling them at the event.


David

[Xterra]

David,

Thank you very mcuh for your help, I really appreciate it.

[megotroulette]

if you want to go a lil cheaper than Ma(sorry ma :mrgreen: ) Thunder tiger sell them as well... but you will need a real real good dremel, dremel bit to drill a groove into the start shaft..

i wore a dremel bit totally away when i did it on my stratus

Cheers

[DavidH]

... but you will need a real real good dremel, dremel bit to drill a groove into the start shaft..


And why would you need to do that? I know more that several pilots that use the TT 6mm hex adapter on there MA helis. All they did was install them and tighten the set screws. I have a TT adaptor on one of my Tempest.

David

[megotroulette]

with putting a dent into the start shaft or crator... it lowers the chance by alot of it coming loose...

Cheers,

[WayneBrown]

that's what green locktite is for.
No need to crank the piss out of the screws, add a drop to the shaft, slide it on, and snug the screws.

[capebob]

that's what green locktite is for.
No need to crank the piss out of the screws, add a drop to the shaft, slide it on, and snug the screws.

One word of caution here. There is more that one kind green Loctite. The one you want to use is Loctite 680 retaining compound. Do not use Loctite 290 thread locker, also green, for this purpose it will not work. 290 is great stuff and I use it in place of blue because it holds our small parts more securely than blue and the parts are still easily removable.

Bob

[DavidH]

I never do anything to the start shaft to use hex adapters.

1st. Do not use pointed set screws in the hex adapter. Use flat tipped or cup tipped set screws only. The pointed set screws will not hold, and they only eat into the shaft.

2nd. Clean the inside of the hex adapter and the clutch shaft good with acetone or thinner. Then apply red or green loctite to both parts and mate them together.
Use blue loctite on the set screws and secure them.

I have been applying the hex adapters this way for several years. I have yet to have one come loose. It will only come off when I want it to come off. Then I have to apply heat to the hex adapter to get to release from the shaft. I can even take the set screws out and it will not come loose.

This method leaves no marks on the clutch shaft.

David

[megotroulette]

i find with putting loctite onto the start shaft you take the risk of having some excess loctite come off and dribble into the starter shaft bearing in the bearing block...

i find it easier to just put a dent onto the start shaft... we all have our own ways :)

Cheers,

[Peter]

yeah matt ,,, you're not called the" excess loctite king" for nothing !!!

[tempest]

Hi all

David i have got a tt coupler on my tempest but when i try to turn the coupler the engine doesn't turn Because the set-screw cant hold on. Can i drill a hole trough the coupler and smash a screw trough :hammer?

Andrew

[capebob]

Andrew,

A set-screw alone will not hold. You must use a retaining compound like Loctite 680 along with a flat or cupped bottom set screw. The retaining compound goes on the shaft and use regular blue Loctite on the screws. The other alternative is to grind a flat on the shaft.

[tempest]

Capebob

Yes i will do a Grind on the shaft :clappp

thanks for the Info :thumbsup2:

Andrew

[DavidH]

David i have got a tt coupler on my tempest but when i try to turn the coupler the engine doesn't turn Because the set-screw cant hold on.


All the TT hex adapters I have seen come with pointed set screws. Take those set screws and throw them away. Use a flat or cupped tip set screw. The pointed set screw will not hold on the shaft.
I do NOT suggest grinding a flat or drilling a dimple in the shaft.
I have always cleaned the start shaft and inside of the hex adapter with Acetone. I then take Red Locite (permanment) and smear it inside the hex adapter and onto the start shaft tip. Put the hex adapter on the start shaft. Then put blue loctite on the set screws and install them. Let the loctite cure 10-12 hours if possible.
It does not take much loctite to secure the hex to the start shaft. I have took the set screws out of my adapters at times. And still started the engine without the adapter moving. Only way I can remove the adapter from the start shaft is to use a small micro torch or soldering iron and heat it. This releases the loctite and allows it to be removed.

The reason I don't suggest grinding a flat or drilling a dimple in the shaft. If the heli is ever sold or you need to use a Pro Flex starting system. Then the clutch shaft would have to be replaced due to the flat on it.

David

[capebob]

Andrew,

I was not suggesting that you grind your shaft. I was only giving you the only other alternative. Like David said, you will need to replace the shaft if you ever want to use a Pro Flex adapter. Using permanent thread locker or retaining compound is a much better idea.

Bob

[megotroulette]

your a funny one aren't ya peter

[Curtis Burns]

Where can I get a 6mm start shaft w/ one way bearing?

Curt

[DavidH]

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=heli&Category_Code=1STARTER_EXTENSIONS

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=KSJ239

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=S1387

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=VAR64_50

Those 3 above I have seen being used. I have the one from HHI that is a clone of the KSJ one. Ron used to sell the HHI one, but I don't see it listed anymore.
Any of the 3 above will work fine.

David

[capebob]

There is one more that is worth considering and the one I use.


http://www4.mailordercentral.com/heliproz/prodinfo.asp?number=805390

It's about 1/2 the price of some of the others and seems to be very well built.

Bob

[tempest]

Yeah but i used something like the pro flex on a model car and it was breaking after 8 times using! I payed 30 Dollars for that crap :arggg: Motor is 2.5ccm. On a 15ccm engine LOL that pro flex will never work great when the same system brakes on a car so fast :!: How much does that pro flex cost? 50 dollars or more :roll: ? Are there other ways to start engines?

Andrew

[DavidH]

Well here in the USA. I see many Pro Flex Starter shafts being used by pilots. Even pilots that are not flying MA helis use the Pro Flex system. I used the Pro Flex for several years without a problem. The only reason I switched to the hex adapter system. Is the pilots I were flying with regularly were using hex system at the field I fly locally. So if my starter had a problem, it made it easier to bum a start.
The Pro Flex will work well on 15cc engines.

David