What is the best cordless starter out there?

[Paul Taylor]

Well today at lunch I went out on my lunch hour to try and fly. Dang battery holder broke and I was not getting a good connection. I was able to get one flight. Then it turned in to flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, …… Now my tendonitis has flared up. Boy is my arm sore!
I have had it with my 2 D cells. I am going to get me a Hot Shot starter.
What is the best one out there? I think I am going to get two. One will be a short stubby one.

Where is that tube of Ben-Gay? Ouch….
 

[Bill Little]

I have always liked the McDaniels twist on starter battery.

For the "stubby" onje, I got two Great Planes that are sub C and very small, but they work great and have lasted for two seasons so far.

I used to use the spring loaded types, but after one snapped off the plug when the engine started and busted a $$$$$$$$$$$ Bolly, I have only used the twist on/off type.

As a back up, I made a 2 C cell nicad with a cord out of a Raido Shack Project box and connectors.  It has lasted over 10 years.

Bill <><

[Clay Schmidt]

Paul

This clip isn't cordless but it's the best I've found.  It's push and twist.  They stay on even on the shakey soft mounted 4 strokers the pattern guys use.

This Radio South unit is  popular also .  It'll tell you what is going on with your plug or battery, It'll fit in your shirt pocket, and comes with a charger and the good connector.  It's a little pricey at $75.00 but It'll eliminate the need for Bengay!

Clay

[Bill Adair]

Paul,

I'll second the McDaniels glow driver recommendations.

I made my own glow drivers for years, with those Headlock leads, Ni-Cad cells, and a short length of shrink wrap.

Electric car guys are a good source for free cells, as they discard them when they still have plenty of life for our use.

The head lock is also safer, because you can hang the wire lead over the wing, so the weight of the battery will pull it away from the prop if it slips off the plug.

Swap meets always seem to have chargers for a buck or two, from guys who have lost their glow drivers, or worn them out.

Bill Adair

[Chuck Feldman]

KAVAN   I have one so does Toby and Roy. Each starter is over three years old and we fly at least four times a week. Very nice hand held and a good size.

[peabody]

I'll second/third/etc. the McDaniels vote. Especially their metered units.
http://www.quicktechhobby.com/Airplane_Accessories/mcdaniels.htm
There is almost a science to making them last a long time, which I don't......mine sit in the van during the winter...I still get reasonable life from them....

[Steve Helmick]

I'm not 100% clear whether Mr. Rootbeard is after a "glow ignitor" or "electric starter"...answers seem to confirm that confusion.

I bought two DuBro glow ignitors (sub-C nicads) some years ago. I got the ones with the springs and metal cases, so I can replace those sub-C's when they go out. So far, no problems. Not many uses for a long one, so I'd suggest the short ones in almost all cases. I'm thinking that I'd like to get a second charger, so will probably get another DuBro ignitor to go with it...

For electric starters (propflippenautomachen), I've used a Sullivan for many years, but finally bought a Graupner planetary-geared unit with battery pack under. The Graupner is smaller and lighter. I've seen some cheap Asian electric starters that are not worth carrying home...not enough torque to spin over a .40.  Steve