stuartasutherland Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I have one and it is impressive although could probably do with the rope being shorter (or the engine starting starting faster). I find it is fine when in the back but starting on the ground and holding the frame, it needs a fast pull instead of a long slow one. So what is the tech behind it? Can't find anything on tinternet about how it works. Ta Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo200500 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I think they work by you winding up a coil spring which in turn spins the engine over. Supposed to be easier than pulling directly against engine compression! Or something like that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 This is the only thing I could find- ' based on the mechanical arrangement of special springs ' Cheers, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpapa Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 With a conventional pull start you just spin the engine. With this arrangement you spin the engine for the full pull. With the flash starter you pull the cord which winds up a spring. At the end of the pull the spring energy is released which spins the engine quickly for a short period, allowing it to start. If you wanted a shorter pull you would have to sacrifice the easy pull for a stiffer pull as you have to put the same amount of energy in over a shorted pull. Not sure if the above is correct, but its my best guess, makes sense, and is how I would do it! I hope to get my Zenith Polini Thor 200 soon so I can try thte flash starter for my self. They seem to be having engine delivery issues though. I've been waiting 7 weeks now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartasutherland Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 While you are waiting for yours - you can have a look at mine [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]With a conventional pull start you just spin the engine. With this arrangement you spin the engine for the full pull.With the flash starter you pull the cord which winds up a spring. At the end of the pull the spring energy is released which spins the engine quickly for a short period, allowing it to start. If you wanted a shorter pull you would have to sacrifice the easy pull for a stiffer pull as you have to put the same amount of energy in over a shorted pull. Not sure if the above is correct, but its my best guess, makes sense, and is how I would do it! I hope to get my Zenith Polini Thor 200 soon so I can try thte flash starter for my self. They seem to be having engine delivery issues though. I've been waiting 7 weeks now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo200500 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Some moist fields there Stu!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartasutherland Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 Some moist fields there Stu!! Yup, it's been a shocking year for weather. I work with farmers and they are really struggling this year. I tried a few of my usual fields, 2 were flooded and 1 was up a steep hill with was iced up. So I had to try the stubble field. It was dry and the stubble didn't affect me - good old powered launch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpapa Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Nice Vid. Looks like a nice area to fly. Can't wait to get my Zenith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custom-vince Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]Yes it's a double spring. When the engine is new the flash starter needs a long pull. After its run in nicely the pull gets shorter and easier. Like wise the standard starter would get hydro compression locked and rip the handle out your hands. But once run in you could start it with short sharp jabs. In flight with the flash starter, I have pulled the cord out with my right hand using the handle and with my left hand tweaked the last bit of starter cord to release spring and vroom. I prefer the flash starter for it does start the engine better as the spring rotates the engine faster than you can by pulling the cord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo200500 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Or you could always take it apart Stu, and see what explodes across the garage floor...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartasutherland Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 Might just try and go a while before taking anything apart. According to the exploded diagram of the Thor 200, there appears to be about a zillion parts. Or you could always take it apart Stu, and see what explodes across the garage floor...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo200500 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Best way to learn about things.....take them apart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I got the motor inthe video Vince posted above, I have fitted a peice of rubber pipe on to starter cord to extend it out, making it very easy to reach when the motor in on my back, I reach up and take hold of the handle with my right hand and just extend my arm, starts straight up, I dont find I have to pull the starter fast at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 That still looks like new Dave do you ever fly it??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 That still looks like new Dave do you ever fly it??? Look after your kit mate and it will look after you Treat it better than the wife lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ama99fkusakti Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Anybodies know how to repair flash starter?my flash starter cannot recoil again,maybe pull to long?any solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terppuli Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Happened to me too, the pull cord didn't get pulled back in. But since the engine was running I took my knife and simply cut the cord off to avoid it being pulled into the propeller. And after an hours flight I returned home and performed an autopsy. The outer end of the cord rewind spring had pulled straight. The end of that spring had been annealed too soft by the manufacturer originally, that part was very easy to bend by fingers alone. So, I snapped that part off and bent in a new hook, the spring steel appeared to be very soft and could easily take a bending without breaking. Removing the starter is easy, just remove four bolts, and off it comes. Then to remove the pull start wheel, just remove the center bolt and carefully lift the cover off. The system only consists of few parts and it is easy to fix. Happy Landings, Tero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paramotor Reviews Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 The rebuild seems pretty straight forward. Mine's been rebuilt before I notice upon disassembly. Four bolts to remove. One inside and it all comes apart. Got the rebuild kit for PAWS on Poliniparts.com . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.