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1. 10:39 AM - Re: Sky-Tec NL vs LS starter (Tim Olson)
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| Subject: | Re: Sky-Tec NL vs LS starter |
Hey Folks,
I just wanted to close the loop on the whole starter experience in
switching from a 149-12PM to a 149-12NL starter. I also switched
out my RV-14 from a 149-12LS to a 149-12NL at the same time.
First, the install on the RV-10 went very well. As you guys
said, there is plenty of room for the starter. The only
things I ran into were:
1) I had an adel clamp holding a wire mounted on the left rear
stud, and that stud has a funky mounting lug on the new starter.
This meant the adel clamp would be hard to put in that spot, so
I had to make a 1.5" or so stainless "extension" arm for the
clamp. No big deal at all.
2) I had to cut about 3/4" of my wire off the end and install
a new terminal.
Every comment I read on forums said things like "the NL starter
spins the prop so fast you could taxi with it" and stuff like
that. (I know, that's tongue in cheek, but...)
My initial experience is that it did not seem faster than
the PM starter that I had before. But, it did not get stuck on
the initial compression of the engine when cranking, either.
So, to me, it seemed more powerful but less fast than the
starter I was used to. Not that I wasn't satisfied, but,
everyone talking about how fast it was made me skeptical
once I actually tried it out.
I checked the specs just now online, and that explains it.
NL: Geared 6.5:1, 125-220A @11V, 140 RPM Test
PM/LS: Geared 4.3:1, 185-285A @11V, 160 RPM Test
So indeed, the PM/LS will turn your prop faster, if it
can turn the prop. To that end, I probably should not have
bothered to swap out my RV-14 starter, because the
149-12LS turned the prop fast and it never got stuck on
a compression stroke.
The RV-14 install was a bit more painful, mainly because of
an intake snorkel in the way. The 149-12NL has 2 large
lugs that point down off the case, and both of those lugs
interfere with the air intake, so I had to cut them both
down to about 1/4-1/3 their height to make clearance.
Once I did that though, cutting 1/2" off the wire and
re-clocking the cable ring terminal was all it took.
It's a bit tighter under the engine on the -14, due to some
Throttle linkage parts that come with the kit. But, the
new starter works fine on that plane too.
All in all, I'm satisfied because both starters being the
same, I can now swap them if I ever need to. But, whereas
I think the IO-540 really requires the NL starter, the
IO-390 does not, and I'd probably suggest most -14 builders
just stick with the LS that came with their engine. It'll
crank faster, and do a fine job.
Next on the list is to sell the PM starter, and send in the
LS starter for bench testing under warranty.
Tim
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