Eclipse Aviation Engine Starter

Description

General

The Series "6" Starter is of the concentric, inertia type. Although particularly adaptable to engines of the radial type, it is equally suitable for starting those of the "V" type, as well as those with cylinders in line and will perform efficiently on engines up to and including 1300 cubic inch displacement.

Operation depends upon the storage of energy in a flywheel which is brought up to a high speed by manual operation of the hand crank. The high speed is attained through multiple gearing. The stored energy is then disbursed at the will of the operator in cranking the engine. Included in the mechanism is a torque-overload release, which prevents abnormal stresses in the mechanism, should the engine back-kick while cranking.

Detailed

The drive from the flywheel to the engine passes through the following stages :—From the flywheel, through spur-gearing, to a counter-shaft, which is in turn spur-geared to an internal gear having an integral sun pinion, to a final planetary drive. The planetary gears are mounted in a cage built into the end of a barrel assembly and mesh with a stationary internal gear. The barrel assembly rotates at engine crank shaft speed.

The drive then passes through the torque-overload release, which is in the form of a multiple disc clutch under adjustable spring pressure, to an internally threaded nut member within which is threaded a longitudinally slidable screw shaft splined to the starter driving jaw at its outer end.

Operating Rod

The starter is meshed by means of an operating rod extending from the starter, at the protruding end of which is keyed a lever with two arms at right angles. This provides for connecting an operating linkage running either to the side of the fuselage, or to the cockpit, or both, as is desired. This lever may be adjusted to any ninety degree position required.

Although it has been found that a flexible wire may be used, our recommendation is that a stiff rod be provided to manually operate the starter engagement, inasmuch as, should the engine fail to start, it may be necessary to withdraw the starter jaw from engagement with the engine jaw, the accomplishment of which necessitates pushing the rod inward. In most cases the starter jaw will withdraw automatically, but if perchance it should not the above operation may be resorted to. When the engine fires, the disengagement is automatic.

Operation

To start the engine, put the hand crank in place. Inspect the operating rod and make certain that the rod is in the disengaged position, assuring that the jaws are demeshed. Revolve the crank handle in proper direction of rotation. Best results are obtained by starting the cranking operation rather slowly without exerting any great force until an appreciable speed is attained, then exerting greater pressure on the crank handle as the speed increases.

Efficient starting results are obtained at a maximum crank handle speed of 75 to 80 rpm. When maximum speed is reached remove the crank handle and with the spark advance lever fully advanced, turn on the ignition switch and pull the operating rod. It will be found that the use of a booster magneto is in most cases not necessary but if used will naturally facilitate starting, particularly in cold weather.

When the engine starts, no further attention to the starter is necessary, the disengagement being automatic. If, however, the engine fails to start, push on the operating rod to insure disengagement of the drive and repeat the operations outlined above.

Maintenance

This starter should operate for thousands of starts without any attention whatsoever.

DO NOT LUBRICATE. All starters are properly and sufficiently lubricated at the factory. The addition of further lubricant will undoubtedly be injurious, as successful operation depends upon the free rotation of parts and improper lubrication will be detrimental.

Should any trouble be experienced with the mechanism we wish to emphasize that it is our preference that the starter be removed from the engine and returned to our factory for necessary attention and prompt service will be rendered. If, perchance, the starter may have been disassembled, it is highly important that it be entirely cleaned before reassembling. After cleaning, oil the flywheel bearings with a slight amount of a good grade of light oil, also placing a slight amount of light bearing grease between the two ball bearing assemblies, but not actually on the bearings themselves. All other parts should be covered with No. 32 Gredag. It is extremely important that no other lubricant than that specified be used.

- - -