I have a skytec 149NL on my Cherokee, and I got stuck 700nm from home this weekend when it wouldn't start.

At first I thought my battery was dead because all I'd get was a click. I took it out of the plane and brought it somewhere to charge, and then back in the plane, for another click.

At this point I'm thinking that battery was toast so I had the mx shop on the field sell me a very expensive new G35. Installed that battery and... click.

Turns out the starter was throwing out the gear but not turning. I'm not sure if it's a dead spot in the commutator or bad brushes or what. I went through a couple of cycles of having it throw out the gear and then using the prop to turn the starter through a little bit as the gear retracted, and eventually I coaxed it into starting.

Ian, go to the Skytec website and using their troubleshooting guide, see if following it you would still have changed the battery or identified the starter issue.

I do not have it in front of me so cannot determine if I would have diagnosed it properly. Perhaps the fact that the prop never turned is one factor. Add in a good battery voltage and perhaps you could have ruled out the battery as a problem.

I have researched those as well when designing (following directions I mean...) my starting system. They all use the solenoid though, that I can see. However they do not use the Indicator "I" post. We don't need to they tell me laughing under their breath, followed by how much they love Vans. :) So I ask again so I am not missing something, or so I may learn something: What did you mean "no solenoid?" :confused:

Thanks again for your time.

Bob - take a look at "Diagram A" at the top of the column - they have a MASTER solenoid, but no STARTER solenoid - they use the solenoid on the starter itself to manage that load. And yes, the big, fat wire is hot all the way from the firewall to the front of the Lycoming anytime the master is on. Personally, I still use a starter solenoid on the firewall, but that is mostly becasue that is how we have always done it.

Regarding the 'vans wiring' referred to in the skytec document:

With the conventional starter wiring and permanent magnet starters it is possible that when the key and main starter relay/contactor releases, the spinning starter will generate sufficient electrical energy in back emf to hold the starter solenoid engaged and therefore the pinion with the flywheel.

If the starter is held engaged too long and the engine drives the starter to sufficient speed it may take a short time to disengage at low engine speeds. It is conceivable that the pinion may remain engaged indefinitely at some higher engine rpm.

The Vans wiring will resolve this issue - the pinion solenoid is powered from an independent terminal on the contractor, terminal 'I'.

That said it is not usually an issue. My own aircraft has a PM starter with conventional wiring and I have heard the starter hold in but not for more than a second. Like most people I try to release the key switch as early as I can, but now I also listen out for the engaged pinion.

Clearly Skytec do not believe this to be an issue.