UK Karting - Notice Board (Combined Forum) : Re: X30

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Re: X30
Posted by 'SimonS' on 26 May 2015 @ 09:50

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SimonSJoined: December 2004
Total Posts: 4
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The problem with the starter is that it is a commercial unit and in constant use in commercial applications where it doesn't give much trouble.

However we are using the starter in a different environment, where it is outside its commercial limits.

Karting is an extreme environment, we put a g meter on a kart and recorded up to 30 G vertical loads (short duration, so don't destroy the human, but hitting a kerb is a massive shock and teh rest is felt as 'vibration' and track surface) meanwhile the engines are running at between 15 to 17000 rpm.

There are ways to cure the starter problems, but they amount to a considerable increase in the cost or teh complexity.

Secondly, there is some evidence that a second problem lies in the bendix. If it doesn't disengage cleanly and the driver blips teh throttle, or worse drives away with the bendix engaged, then the engine is driving the starter at upwards of 100,000 rpm (look at the gearing involved). The bendix does need regular attention because it is exposed to a harsh environment.

Simply saying that the starter 'ought to be better' without appreciating that better might add another Ł100 to the cost, especially once the importers have added their cut to a unit that essentially can be bought for Ł35 on the internet is to miss out on the important bit. How much are you willing to pay for the improvement?

The new system is already much improved. The digital box cuts out the supply to the starter as soon as a voltage is generated by the alternator, meaning the bendix starts to retract as soon as the engine has fired once, whereas the old analogue box kept spinning for as long as a finger was on the button.

The Blues, with a decade of using the system, allow the use of a starter on the grid once in the day. (and anyone bringing an external starter to the grid has to let it be used by anyone, so the importer provides one.) And yes, people get upset when they have two starters go down on the grid during the day, especially if it's the final.

I can understand the politics that won't allow this solution to be used by other classes. (It's why the Blues, along with TKM are allowed to have a hole cut in the side pod, though the latest sidepods dont need it).

Building special starters that will survive a year without maintenance, it probably just isn't possible and certainly not at a price most of us want to pay.

Message Thread:

X30 by 'Nick59' (24 May 2015 @ 10:10)

Re: X30 by 'alanrr' (24 May 2015 @ 14:03)

Re: X30 by 'christkm' (24 May 2015 @ 14:22)

Re: X30 by 'PaulMRotax' (24 May 2015 @ 17:48)

Re: X30 by 'PortlandBill' (26 May 2015 @ 13:53)

Re: X30 by 'alanrr' (24 May 2015 @ 20:31)

Re: X30 by 'christkm' (24 May 2015 @ 20:40)

Re: X30 by 'PaulMRotax' (24 May 2015 @ 21:07)

Re: X30 by 'alanrr' (24 May 2015 @ 22:53)

Re: X30 by 'Nick59' (25 May 2015 @ 5:59)

Re: X30 by 'LisaBrown88' (25 May 2015 @ 12:25)

Re: X30 by 'darkknight' (25 May 2015 @ 19:45)

Re: X30 by 'alanrr' (25 May 2015 @ 20:42)

Re: X30 by 'nitch' (26 May 2015 @ 0:38)

Re: X30 by 'SimonS' << You are here!

Re: X30 by 'christkm' (26 May 2015 @ 10:22)

Re: X30 by 'alanrr' (26 May 2015 @ 11:06)

Re: X30 Starters by 'dynamax' (26 May 2015 @ 11:07)

Nitch's answer. Anyone else, don't read, it's long by 'alanrr' (26 May 2015 @ 10:49)

X30 by 'dynamax' (26 May 2015 @ 11:34)

Re: X30 by 'PortlandBill' (26 May 2015 @ 13:55)

Re: X30 by 'MaxRacewear' (26 May 2015 @ 18:17)

Re: Nitch's answer. Anyone else, don't read, it's by 'UniqueProfileName' (26 May 2015 @ 19:34)

Re: Nitch's answer. Anyone else, don't read, it's by 'alanrr' (26 May 2015 @ 20:22)

Re: Nitch's answer. Anyone else, don't read, it's by 'UniqueProfileName' (26 May 2015 @ 20:35)

Get yourself to SYKC by 'PhilipSharrocks' (27 May 2015 @ 21:48)

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