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582 Electric Start problems

in General Tech Discussion 11 years ago
Hi all

wonder if anyone can help with this problem:

I have a weight shift trike with a 582 Blue top and an electric starter - which is mounted at a 90 degree angle into the starter housing of the engine (at the front (opposite from the prop). I believe it is a particular USA-made starter.

When weather is cold and/or damp I often have slow starter-turning problems on the first start of the day. Once the engine has been run for a while or flown, the starter, curiously, starts normally.

The on board battery had 12.4 volts initially (on a multimeter check). I also tried jump-starting from a 12 volt car battery (with and without engine running) and the same slow turning was experienced. Also tried with a borrowed 12 volt booster start battery (new and fully charged - same slow turning problem). My car battery also showed 12.4 volts and turns the starter motor over just fine - so the jump start should have worked.

Hand starting is OK - but not my preferred option!

Obliged if anyone has some tips or hints.

Many thanks.

Roland
UK

  • Re: 582 Electric Start problems

    by » 11 years ago

    How old is the starter and what size wire do you have and how far away from the battery is the starter?

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell

      
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  • Re: 582 Electric Start problems

    by » 11 years ago

    Hi Roger

    the starter is original (I think) so about 18 years old. It was refurbished about 5 to 6 years ago after the starter ring on the crankshaft end of the engine got chewed up and the starter was sent away for repair. New starter ring and refurbed starter fitted.

    The wires from the battery (negative and positive) are about 1/4 inch / 5mm (quite thick and as per the factory fit).
    Battery is about 4 to 5 feet from the starter - battery is in the nose under the pilots feet in the factory fit location. Battery Earth cable goes to the engine through the trike keel tube under the pilots seat. Battery is, if I remember, a 12 amp hour type. I have been told that I ought to fit a 15 amp hour type to provide more grunt. However, that doesn't explain the fact that it does turn the engine over happily most times or when it has been flown.

    Starter is earthed to the crankcase directly through the fact that it is mounted onto the engine casing, with a 1/4 inch power lead from the solenoid to the motor. Solenoid was replaced last year when it caused a fault in the circuit (no circuit).

    Battery is always left on a maintenance charger unit so that it is kept topped up when we are not using it.

    Thanks

    Roland
      
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  • Re: 582 Electric Start problems

    by » 11 years ago

    Roland,

    Those GPL sidewinder starters are usually pretty dependable. Only trouble I've ever encountered are worn or stuck brushes. One way to to determine whether it is the starter or the wiring is to use a spare battery and jumper cables and hook them directly to the starter, bypassing all the installed wiring, and see if it rotates properly.

    You can check the brushes yourself. Just pull the starter off, (remove two bolts and it comes right out of the bell housing) Then you can remove the starter end cap and check the brushes for wear and movement. It is a bit tricky to get the rotor back in but it isn't rocket science.

    Could be burnt solenoid contacts. No repair possible there but solenoids are cheap and can be bought at any auto supply store. Doesn't have to be Rotax solenoid; If it will start a car, it will start your 582.

    Bill.
      
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  • Re: 582 Electric Start problems

    by » 11 years ago

    Thanks Bill, I'll give that a try.

    Cheers

    Roland :)
      
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  • Re: 582 Electric Start problems

    by » 11 years ago

    Roland,

    I had a very similar problem with my 582 starter back in the early 90's. I finally figured it out. When the bushings were installed the flat copper braided wires running to them had been twisted so that they weren't flat to the inside of the housing and were touching the stator. That meant some of the current was going to the stator instead of the bushings causing a very sluggish start. By the time I found it one wire was worn almost through and both bushings required replacement.

    Good luck,

    Alan
    Thank you said by: Roland McKie
      
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