Finally started the break in...

[SkyMaxx]

Well, after a long, long, looooooonnnnngggg time away from my home and buggy, I finally got two tanks through the RB Concepts 7 port Europa on my MBX-5. You want to know the real kicker...the sucker started right up after I solved my started box problem.

Starter box problem, you say? That's right. I ended up frying one motor. Replaced it and made an adjustment to the set-up on the box (at my LHS's suggestion). Even after all that and very well charged batteries, I couldn't quite get the engine to fire up. Oh it turned over fine. It even spluttered to life for a split second or two on a couple of occasions, but....

I remembered reading somewhere on this board about a rash of engines going th wrong way upon start up. That caused me to pause and carefully look at things.

So I started with the drivetrain...which direction did the engine need to be going for the buggy to move forward. Figured that out and looked at the direction the starter box was trying to drive the engine. Sure enough, the starter box was trying to kick it over in the wrong direction.

Now, you may be wondering how this could possibly occur. I'll tell you how. My LHS (a fairly reputable one and I do not hold them at fault on this) suggested that I might have to reverse the polarity on the starter box motor when I flip it around in the fashion that I did. Not knowing any better and trusting their knowledge of these things, I installed the new motor with polarity reversed. That's right, that little blunder cost me about two hours of recharge time on the battery packs.

Now, I look back to the fried motor from my original attempts at breaking this thing in. Guess what? That's right the motor's polarity was f'd up from the manufacturer. I fried the motor of the starter box by trying to start up a very tight big block in the reverse direction.

Believe me, the engine will go backwards. It just won't stay running. I will be getting a free replacement motor from the manufacturer of my starter box (good customer service on that one), but I suggest that everyone getting involved in buggies and the use of starter boxes take a little time to learn about the mechanics of these things. AND remember even good LHS can make mistakes.

 

[Molla]

that's happened to me as well. luckily, i'm still using the same motor. haha oh yeah, when i turned glow plug 1/4 turn and started, it started within couple seconds. this is my first buggy.

 

[El Pirata]

Oops. Does this mean you might be able to take her out for a spin today? You better bring her but I'll remind you when we mett at your place at noon.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

I was always scared when I first used a starter box. I went through all the motions to insure the engine would spin in the right direction as I thought it might cause damage. You guys kill me with the throw it on and go attitiude! I guess I am just over cautious when I know I don't know enough about it. Glad to hear it is all worked out. Also glad to hear a company standing by their starter box problem.

 

[lillightingboy21]

That has happened to myfriend it was funny though he messed up his motor but he was tring to blow it that day anyway because he bought a picco 26.......Nick

 

[Flamez]

I only have one question... Does a starter box work for all kind of nitro rc cars?onder: :help: Thanx if you can answer this for me and i will be glad if you do :help:

 

[nitro4joe]

Originally posted by Flamez
I only have one question... Does a starter box work for all kind of nitro rc cars?onder: :help: Thanx if you can answer this for me and i will be glad if you do :help:

Mine works on most but sometimes the flywheel in certain cars sits too far up that the rubber wheel on the starter box can't grab a hold of it. There are simple and inexpensive fixes for those though.

 

[SkyMaxx]

No, the starter box does not work for ALL RC cars. There are quite a few that a starter box would not help. Best to check with the maker of your RC to ensure that a starter box would work. Also, you could ask the question here by saying something along the lines of..."Could I use a starter box on my _______?" Fill in the blank with your RC name (T-Maxx, RS4, etc.)