roto start vs. pull start

[rody]

Hi everyone. I just got back from a good bashing session with my Savage. My fun was stopped by only one thing....my roto start went out. I just opened it up and found I stripped two of the gears.

The roto start is kind of a mixed blessing. I appreciate not having to yank a cord when the engine is a bit tough to start, but my engine has been running well lately, and starts pretty easily. The roto start, on the other hand, has been kind of a pain. Last month the button started acting erratically, I got that fixed, and now the gear strips. Plus it's kind of a pain lugging the unit around, and keeping the battery charged up.

I'm thinking of popping in a pull start, just because of the pain the roto start is starting to be. Don't get me wrong, I like it when it's working well, but a pull start may be easier. What do you all think? What have your experiences been?

 

[Pope]

Pull start all the way take it from me roto starts break. A lot. Been through five I think. And they destroy one way bearings. If your motor is hard to start there is a problem and a roto start is doing more harm than good. If you do keep it rember to do it in quick pulses. Tap tap tap

 

[inb4lock]

I've never liked Roto-Start units, mostly due to the terrible quality of the hand-held starter. I ended up breaking about 3 before I started using a high speed cordless drill. Now I exclusively use pull-start units, as a properly tuned engine is never too hard to start, and I don't have to carry around the bulky starter or a drill.

 

[AllanQ]

Pull start FTW

 

[Fx]

Pullstarts pwn rotostarts. My engine starts on the first of second pull. I would keep a spare pullstart in your toolbox just in case the chord breaks. Pullstarts are a pain to repair.

 

[Shaun]

now that i've used both i would have to say i like the pull start better, i do admit the rotostart is handy but your day ends when the battery dies and lugging it everywere is a pain!!

 

[Mattholew]

I never had the Roto Start fail other than my OWB getting overly oiled from the crappy Trinity Monster Fuel causing it not to engage, but it is a pain to carry that huge hunk of a thing around with you and worry about charging it up along with all the other stuff that has to be charged. So I bought an Axial pull start and slapped her on the K5.9 and I like it MUCH better.

 

[rody]

That's kinda what I've been thinking too. OK, pull start it is. Thanks for the input.

 

[MikeK1981]

I want to convert my k5.9 just for the simple fact that I won't have to carry the roto-start around with me. Just having the glow igniter in my pocket when I'm away from my 1:1 truck is much easier than trying carry around the roto-start let alone a drill LOL!

 

[Mattholew]

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Exactamongo. That's why I made the swap. You can buy the Axial pull start for .28-.30 engines and it bolts right up to the 5.9 perfectly and will save you about $10.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPDV9&P=ML

 

[MikeK1981]

Good tip Mattholew!