Starting an engine is not that easy as it seems to be. With all those techs we’ve achieved in machinery. Still, we can only get our machines running indirectly through a starter motor. The complex process of engine starting makes it prone to problems. We’d suffer from a starter motor failing when we’re about to drive to work or generate power with a diesel. A backup diesel generator is equipped in many fields that can cause severe losses due to power outages. Accordingly, a backup starter motor is also indispensable. But which one is exactly the best alternative engine starter for diesel? This article will show you some ideas about engine starter failure and how to choose the best backup engine starter for your field.
What are the possible causes of a diesel engine starter failure?The structure of a starter is a little bit complex. So when you find the starter motor won’t launch your diesel, there could be many causes. Above we’ve known the symptoms and corresponding damaged parts, and now we’re going to look at what might have caused those failures. From this, we can also grasp a little bit of knowledge on how to maintain the engine starter.
The structure of a starter is a little bit complex. So when you find the starter motor won’t launch your diesel, there could be many causes. Above we’ve known the symptoms and corresponding damaged parts, and now we’re going to look at what might have caused those failures. From this, we can also grasp a little bit of knowledge on how to maintain the engine starter.
Corroded, damaged or dirty solenoid connections
As a sophisticated instrument with a complex structure, a starter might cease to work when it got erosion, dirt or damage on its solenoid.
Electrically damaged
Electric connection problems
If you start your car in the wrong way like too many times in a row. The starting system might get overheat, and a short circuit could occur.
Magnetic switch damaged
Probably the most common damage happens to a starter.
While there are too many possible causes, so I won’t list them all here. It’s lucky if those failures happen when you’re just trying to start your mower in the yard. In many fields like the petroleum industry or marine, failing to start a diesel could lead to great loss. So in those scenarios, a backup starting system is often equipped.
Why is it so important to equip a backup starting system?
Like I said, to prevent great loss or even great danger. Imagine that you’re on an exploration mission and your motorboat stopped right in the middle of a sea. Better have a backup starter in your cabin or you’re in big trouble.
In fact, in many fields, the provision of a backup starter is already a default. Those alternative starting systems are mostly non-electric (or how to start a generator at power cut). Still, you’ve got many options, but the most selected one is spring starter.
Why is everyone missing the unbreakable spring starter?
How could someone not miss an UNBREAKABLE starter? About 50 years ago, the mower in our house of the agricultural machinery in our farm was sometimes equipped with two starters, and one of them is a windup. A lot of people miss that hand-crank starter motor not only because of its funny but for its durability - “The engine always retires even before the hand crank is worn. Spring starters have always been known for their long-lasting use and ease of operation and have made it widely accepted as a backup starting system.
There are also some other backup starters, such as hydraulic and pneumatic starters. Those types of starters are relatively more effortless to use and have also been used in a lot of fields. In terms of affordability and durability, spring starters are usually better, but pneumatic and hydraulic starters are more advanced technology and easier to use.
If you’re interested in spring starter as an alternative starting system, you can take a look at our products page. You’ll find multiple types of spring starters there. Freely get a quote by clicking the page of contact Cqstart spring stater!
Starting an engine can be relatively easy nowadays. You can get your car roaring just by simply Inserting and turning the key or even remotely through a phone. While things were a lot different 100 years ago, you might have to be strong enough to drive ‘cause the hand cranks were really exhausting. Then multiple types of starters were invented. After continuous upgrading, the electric starters that we recognize today are widely used in various kinds of engine startup. As for those old types, mostly disappeared in the long history. But the interesting thing is, one of them remains in service for all these time, and is gradually becoming an irreplaceable spring starter.
The history of engine starters
As mentioned above that hand-crank starter was what we use for startup 100 years ago. It is the original starter motor of all, widely used in the 1900s. The hand cranks gave our motorized vehicle its very first initial driving force, but honestly, they were lagging. The biggest problem with the hand-cranked starter is its unguaranteed safety. You turn the cranks, the cranks can turn against you and gives you a bone-breaking kickback.
To improve simplicity and safety, spring-powered and gunpowder starters were created. A spring starter motor also need to be cranked, but you can bring the physical work forward. Its working principle is to convert and store kinetic energy in the spring to start engines after, removing the process which can cause a kickback. Similarly, the gunpowder motor uses the energy from the explosion to start the car. No manpower required.
The revolutionary “electric starting system” was patented in 1911. The Cadillac model of 1912 was the first to install this motor because it was the first car with a complete circuit, and that’s what we know as the start of modern engine-starting technology. After that, key-operated ignition and other enhancing techs were gradually added in, the engine start has become more diverse.
Why is spring starter still in service?
While it actually had retired for civilian cars, but returned in many other fields. The applications of mechanical spring starter extended to firefighting, emergency rescue, military, marine, Petroleum industry, etc. Mostly it’s used to initiate a diesel engine as an alternative starting system when there is no power source available. Yes, we came to realize that humans are walking batteries.
You might have noticed that a lot of diesel engines have more than one bore (or at least one detachable bore), leaving rooms for backup starters. In many situations we might suffer from property or even life loss because the battery of our diesel engine is dead. That’s why a backup starting system is necessary in emergency operations. Another factor is that many emergency operations are carried out in harsh environments like explosion-proof situation, meaning no electric allowed. So when you see someone turning a hand crank in a factory instead of a gym, don’t worry, you did not travel back to 1885.
Will spring starters be even longer-last than the electrics?
The way I think of it? Yes. The spring starter is one of the most primitive types of this tech, but it does not have the fatal drawbacks of a hand crank. Over the years, engines are constantly evolving and changing, but the spring starter’s simplicity and practicality made it through and kept it alive. Since it’s primitive enough, no magnetism, no circuit, no oil grease, it’s possible to start up a machine in almost any place and at any time. The only problem is a mechanical spring starter requires manpower, but manpower is exactly something we can take at any time. So I do think it’s probably the best alternative starting system and will stay that way for a very long time.
Reliable mechanical spring starter manufacturer - Cqstart
The foundation of the machinery industry is scientific research, which is what we have always valued most. Cqstart has designed and developed over a hundred different models of motor starter for now, deployed all over the world. Here I’ve listed some features of our products and services:
1. Pre-sale service
According to the displacement, load and installation space, our clients require, We’d help them to make an appropriate selection.
2. After-sale service
Complete and detailed operation guide through handbooks, videos or even on-site instruction if needed. The product undergoes several inspections before leaving the factory to ensure quality (torque, peak, revolving speed, input/output ratio, convention ratio, stabilization ratio, performance curve).
3. World record of starting power
Through the application of distributed energy storage technology, parallel release technology and special energy storage material technology, Cqstart has created the world’s new record of spring power capacity to provide emergency starting for large engines.
For more professional knowledge, please visit the page of spring starter articles.
There are many kinds of starters, so you might wonder which one to choose. While nowadays, for cars running on the highway, most starters used are electric ones. We can start our SUVs just by turning keys or press buttons (or even wake up the car by our sounds). In contrast, the choices for diesel engine starters are quite many. In this article, I’ve put together some ideas about which starter might be best for diesel engines.
What's the difference between electric and non-electric diesel starters?
The biggest difference between the electric and the non-electric is what power it uses to start the engine.
Electric engine starter was actually invented to replace non-electrics. In theory, it’s a more advanced technology, faster and more convenient. Electric starters are mostly used in daily life. While non-electric starters seem to be relatively ancient. Back when cars were first invented, we use hand cranks to initiate the engines. Its activating power comes from human arms. Then many other types of starter motor were invented, like Pneumatic starter and Hydraulic starter, initiating the engine by pre-engaged air pressure or hydraulic pressure.
Time goes by, but most of the starters are still in service in different fields. That’s quite a phenomenon cause nearly all products would have obvious upgrades and old ones should’ve fallen into disuse for long. But they survived for two reasons. Firstly, electric starter needs a backup in many situations like grid outage or dead battery. Another reason is that in certain scenarios electric spark is dangerous. That’s when non-electric starter becomes the only choice.
Reasons why non-electric starters are better in those certain scenarios
I believe you’ve had a rough idea about why they are better in those places. But still, I’ve listed some ideas below for your reference.
Reliability
Non-electric motors (especially manual-powered starters) are normally more reliable compared to electrics. Modern technology is too dependent on the city’s large power grid. But activities like exploration and petroleum extraction often means you gotta get away from the city. That’s when those antiques come in handy – a sure start means a lot more than convenience then.
Not a single spark
A little spark could be fatal on an oil rig. For HSE requirements, you better choose a non-electric type there.
Portable
Most non-electric motors are portable with good size, perfect for fieldwork and long-distance travel.
High output power
Though it’s not some particularly advanced technology, non-electronic motors are constantly updating and iterating themselves. Nowadays even a spring motor can move a diesel with up to 50L displacement.
What advantages spring starters have among those non-electrics?
Manpower is the best external power system for engine starters. That’s what I believe. If you’re looking for some reliable motors that should be able to start your diesel in any situation at any time, choose your own arms! Motors like Pneumatic starter and Hydraulic starter needs pre-engage before you take them out for your works. Once it’s used, it takes some work to recharge. Imagine that you’re out in the field and your diesel stopped roaring. What if you’ve used your starter and you can’t recharge it now? But manual-powered motor like spring starter can always get your back in the game.
Cqstart is a professional spring starter manufacturer in China, if you got any interest in our product, visit our product page.
Benefits
1.No external power source required. (i.e. battery, compressor, hydraulic power pack or alternator)
2.Smooth pre engagement of drive pinion minimizes ring gear wear
3.Flameproof & spark free (ideal for oil rigs, coal mines & other hazardous environments)
4.Damp and cold condition start up (Immediate start up even after long shut down on sites)
5.Water proof (works even after full immersion in water)
6.No risk of water contamination compared to electric starters
7.No dust or debris choking (ideal in desert or extreme temperature conditions)
8.Cost effective, reliable & maintenance free (fraction of price for primary component and maintenance compared to substitutes ie: hydraulic,pneumatic)
9.Ideal for remote& harsh locations
10. No lubrication required
11.Fraction of weight compared to alternatives
12.Maintenance free
Applications
The mechanical spring starter is used worldwide under different conditions, in a variety of applications:
marine
building & construction
mining
For more professional knowledge about the mechanical spring starter, please visit the page of the mechanical spring starter blogs .
Spring Starters are mechanical starters that use energy stored in a high-tech spring pack which is manually wound up and charged for instant release when required to start an engine. Spring starters are a reliable, cost-effective method of manually starting a diesel engine, suitable for primary or secondary starting, they are an ideal low-cost alternative to traditional electric starting systems. The major advantage is their reliability even in harsh environments such as offshore platforms and marine applications.
The need for batteries, alternators, regulators and wiring is eliminated as the spring starter does not require electricity, compressed air or hydraulic pressure to operate. In the event that electrical power is required, a conversion kit is available to add to an existing alternator or a self-exciting alternator can be used.
The spring starter rotates the engine flywheel through practically the same number of revolutions as an electric starter, but at considerably higher speed, almost twice as fast as a conventional electric starter.
A mechanical spring starter is totally autonomous and does not need any external energy source except for manual power. It combines the reliability of hand winding with the power of the spring mechanism. It is a direct bolt-on replacement for electric, pneumatic or hydraulic starter used for starting direct injection diesel engines.
The starters are maintenance-free and provide a fail-safe solution to either primary or secondary (emergency) starting devices.
Mechanical spring starter is flameproof, spark-free units, ideal for hazardous environments like offshore oil rigs, chemical plants and mines. They are eco-friendly and non-toxic gadgets as they do not require batteries.