What is a Startwell Mechanical Starter?
It is a manually operated engine starter powered by high energy disc springs.
On which engines can Startwell Starters be used?
Currently it can be used on any direct injection diesel engine between 0.5 and 18 litre capacity (2 litre per cylinder, maximum of 6 cylinders), with sufficient space to accommodate the starter. We are constantly increasing the range of applications that our starters can be used on.
Can Startwell Starters be used on indirect injection engines?
Yes, but for smaller capacity engines, and certainly as a backup starter where heater plugs can be used for a starting aid.
What if the engine is direct injection with eight cylinders, but the overall capacity is below 6.5 litres?
This is fine and the Startwell Starter will be able to start the engine.
How many revolutions of the flywheel will I get with the Startwell Starter?
That depends on the size of the engine. As a rule of thumb, a six litre multi-cylinder engine will turn through 1.5 to 2.5 revolutions and a small single or multi-cylinder engine with capacity of 0.7 to 1.5 litres will turn through 5 to 8 revolutions.
How does an engine start with so few revolutions?
On a small engine the Startwell Starter rotates the engine through almost the same number of revolutions as an average electric starter (i.e. for approximately 3 seconds), but at a much higher speed, approximately three times as fast as a conventional electric starter. On larger engines it rotates the engine approximately twice as fast as an electric starter, allowing much less time for the heat to dissipate through the cylinder walls during a compression stroke, thus the engine cylinder rapidly reaches ignition point.
How long does it take to start an engine with the Startwell Starter?
Average time to wind and trip is 10 seconds.
What is the life of a Startwell Starter?
In normal usage you can expect a minimum of 5000 cycles, i.e. between three to five years of regular use. After this period some parts may require replacement. As a stand-by secondary starter,(e.g. on generators, lifeboats) the starter life may be two to three times the normal cycle.
How do I start at lower temperatures?
If the Startwell Starter is used as a standby starter on a boat, then use the same electrical method such as thermal glow plug or sump heater. The battery may not have sufficient power to start the engine but may have enough for the starting aids.
If the starter is used as a primary starter then use a reputable ether assisted starting aid such as “Start Pilot” or “Easy Starting”.
Could the ether assisted starting aid be damaging to the engine?
A large amount of research has been undertaken by the engine manufacturers and most of them recommend a starting aid in certain conditions. It is, however, inadvisable to use excessive amounts of starting aid to make starting easy.
Can the Startwell Starter replace non electric starters, such as hydraulic or air starting systems?
Yes, If the engine capacity falls within the Startwell Starter’s capability it can replace these alternative devices, saving both space and cost.
Can it replace electric starters with various mounting flanges and pinions?
Yes, the Startwell Starter range covers all the SAE mounting flange configurations and various module and fellow stub pinions.
How can I energize an alternator, as the Startwell Starter requires no battery?
This is a problem faced by all non electric starting systems. The easiest solution is to use a small (or second hand) battery to excite the alternator which requires very little current.
How long can the Startwell Starter be left fully charged?
For up to one year there should be no noticeable energy loss. The starter should not be left charged up where it is used as a secondary standby system.
What happens if the Startwell Starter becomes flooded?
Even if the Starter is completely immersed in water for a short period of time (e.g. if the engine compartment in a boat becomes flooded), there will be no detrimental effect.