Making your own starter box. Can it be done?

[mcvickj]

After seeing the ease of use of my friends starter box last weekend I am thinking about getting one.

He has the universal Ofna starter box that is on TowerHobbies site. The problem is that the box goes for like 60 bucks. The other problem is that we would need to change the configuration of the box to start the different cars our small group owns. For that kind of price I would think it should be able to start any 1/10th RC without having to go through the hassle of changing the setup.

It seems that a starter box is nothing more than a big rubber wheel attached to a motor and housed in a box. If I created a housing box of some kind and then stick the wheel on the side of the box with an open face design any car would be able to use it. Of course it would take a little practice lining up the flywheel with the rubber wheel.

Where would I go about finding some prices on the rubber wheel and the motor? I am also trying to decide on the power source. I could just use a really long cord and then plug it into the cigarette plug in my car.

I am sure I can't be the first person to think about making their own starter box but I can't seem to find anything on google.

Maybe I just need to stop being a cheapskate and invest in a nice box.

 

[RobH]

Some people might think you're kind of silly not wanting to spend $60 on a starter box. Not me. I'm right there with you on the money thing.

You ever hear of a bump start? It's like a starter box minus the box. You just take this motor with a wheel and "bump" the flywheel.

I was just thinking. What if you found a rubber wheel and attached it to the chuck of your corded drill? I say "corded" drill because some of these engines are so beefy and such compression that you need some real horse power to turn that fly wheel. You could then take the rubber wheel on a drill and bump start the 1/10 rc.

I know they make sanding drums for drills. I also know that the drum itself is rubber. Make you can find a drum big enough (2-3 inches in diameter) and turn your drill into a bump start. Those sanding drums can't cost that much.

A cordless drill would be a portable solution, but you'd need a 14v+ cordless drill to turn it over. After you buy the drill, you spent the money for the starter box. :x

-Rob

 

[Candyman]

How about one of those elecric starters they use on airplanes? It's light. Easy to use. You could just attach a rubber donut to the outside of the starter cone. Simple.

starter

Adapter

And there you have it...

 

[kwong2001]

...

 

[mcvickj]

Originally posted by Candyman
How about one of those elecric starters they use on airplanes? It's light. Easy to use. You could just attach a rubber donut to the outside of the starter cone. Simple.

starter

Adapter

And there you have it...

Thanks for the links. That is a good start. Now in theory I should be able to remove those clips and splice in some wire with a lighter plug adatper and away I go right?

Originally posted by kwong2001
that's a bump starter and trust me, they're a pain...

Why do you say this? Is it that much of PITA to hit the flywheel with a bump start?

 

[Candyman]

I figure you could easily adapt it for cigarette lighter use. You can get the stuff at Radio Shack. Piece of cake.

I would think the big pain with bump starting like this is that the starter may have a tendancy to fly all over the place if you don't hold it securely. I'm sure practice will really help...

 

[RobH]

damn, CandyMan those are some good links! :bow:

If you notice those starter motors have mounts on them. If bump starting is THAT much of a pain, build your box around it (I'm sure you could get some scrap wood or something for cheap.)

 

[Nitroaddict]

the problem arises with the fact that most of the options of building a starter box will end up cost u almost as much as just buying one. i paid 90.00 for mine. so 60 seems like a deal. i also have a cone starter for my airplanes, and boat, but that was like 60.00 so why not just get the box. the box i have is the new version of the ofna multibox, and it holds two batt packs, but can also be used with a car battery. i say suck it up and get a box. as i have nticed in this hobby, u think that everything is overpiced til u build it yourself, then u realize that the extra cost is more than worth the effort.

 

[Candyman]

NN, I can see what you say. I think the problem that mcvickj is having is that on any given day, he may have to start 2-3 cars with different engine configurations. Some may be horizontally mounted, some longitudinal (i.e RC10GT vs. NTC3). In order to tackle those you'd either need 2 boxes, or be able to change the box's configuration. Now a lot of boxed can be changed, but it takes a little time. Having a hand-held can tackle both types instantly.

And the setup I outlined above is only $25. Perhaps a little plywood to mount it on as a base and a few bucks for a cigarette adapter and he's in business...

 

[Nitroaddict]

another option is to do what i do, by opening the box lid, u enable the box to bump start any model. we used my box to start my NTC3, my friends 1/8 buggy ofna lx pro, and an hpi rs4 one right after another - just by moving the lid. just an idea, not ideal, but it worked

 

[RobH]

I have to stand up for the penny pincher here. $60 could buy so many things for my R/C's:

Starter box (I do need one)
1/8 Off-Road Tuned pipe (the stocky has a monster ding)
Wing mount, kyosho wing, tires and a tuned pipe for my son's 1/10
AMA Insurance for I can race my 1/8 scale at the local track
2 gallons of nitro and 2 glow plugs.
Body and paints for my 1/8
good racing tires for my 1/8
1/3 of a good FM radio

Anyway, my point is that $60 is $60 when it comes to hop-ups, a starter box is way down on the list. If I had a "no pullstart" situation, I might check out that $25 bump start.

Sorry for the long post but it's Friday and this is more fun than work.

 

[Nitroaddict]

yes novice rob - i agree 100% on the friday liner. but like i said about the box, its still worth the cost. I would rather spend 60.00 and get a good quality box today, than spend 30.00 and build something that is only okay, takes all weekend to make, and isnt perfect.

 

[mcvickj]

All of you have made excellent points. Candyman has hit the head of the nail. We have a few different cars in the group and we like to get everyone going right away so we have more times for racing and less time for messing around. I have talked to the head person of the club and we are looking at using some club funds to get the bump starter for the group.

As far as my self and my two cars after looking at the cost of building my own starter box I think I am going to get a starter box. Both of my cars have a pull start as of right now but I have seen the light and nothing beats using a starter box. Down the road if things good smoothly I can get a new engine with no PS and leave this one as a backup. Or maybe get a roller and throw the engine in it for someone in the club who doesn't own their own car.

Now that I am shopping for a starter box does anyone have any preferences? I was poking around on eBay and it seems that the "used" starter boxes are going for the same price as the new ones I can get from TowerHobbies.

By looking at TowerHobbies it looks like I am going to be spending just under 100 bucks without shipping for an Ofna starter box, battery and charger. Plus going to the local Radio Shack for some banana plugs.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

I aggree, you can spend a whole lot on starter boxes. But, they are worth it for me. Nothing like 'em....

As far as suggested boxes go, its going to depend on the ride.

This is what I use for the following:

For my TC3:

PART NUMBER: 10246
PART NUMBER: 10247 RTR
Used For: 1/10 On/Off Road, 1/8 On/Off Road, Nitro TC3


For my Losi XXX-NT:

PART NUMBER: 10256
PART NUMBER: 10257 - w/Power Panel & Battery, RTR
Used For: 1/10 Off/On Road


For my 8th Scale buggy:

PART NUMBER: 10250
PART NUMBER: 10253 - w/Power Panel
Used For: 1/10 On/Off Road, 1/8 On/Off Road
This one is a WIDE deck which really is awesome for the buggies! And the motor is prob strong enough to put on your 1:1 lol

Hope this helps!

Oh, and last but not least, I bought the power panel for one of them and have only used it once. To me they dont work as well as having my own glo starter.

 

[mcvickj]

Thanks for the suggestions Christian. I was going to ask about the power panel. So all that does is replace your glow starter? If that is the case then I won't bother buying one of those. I have a nice recharable glow starter that I love.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Yeah it supposedly is supposed to give you an indication of whether or not the plug is good too. NOT! At least mine is not accurate.

There is ONE bad thing I will point out about the OFNA starters. The documentation SUCKS! But aside from that, I think the boxes are the best!

Good luck!

Which ride is this for again?

 

[mcvickj]

I own an RS4. I also have a NIB NTC3 on the way. It is going to be here Wednesday. I can't wait. Its the PS version. But I might consider getting a non PS engine and leaving the PS one for a roller a friend has laying around.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

The MultI start box (the all chrome one) works awesome on my TC3. Supposedly this is OFNA's on-road solution. Especially since it has a slot for the NTC3. Never had a problem starting my car. EVER!