DO NOT USE THE ALIGN POS STARTER................EVER

[Steve Graham]

I left my trusty Sullivan Dynatron at home.  My buddy let me borrow his align impact driver.  I had one of these years ago but gave it away.  Didn't even get one start on the 105 before Mista Jackhamma split my start coupler into 3 pieces. 

[Gabriel Sandoval]

OUCH!!!!!

[Roger]

I tore up 3 one-way bearings in the clutch stack before I got the word from Matt that the Align starter does not play well with Synergy machines.  I bought a Dynatron and have not had a lick of trouble since.  I will definately second the Comment from the OP, Never........EVER........use an Align Starter on a Synergy!!

ROG

[Rodney Kirstine]

Bummer Steve.

[Russell Bear]

My starter coupling split in half the other day as well.  Using the Sullivan Dynatron on 4S. 

[Russell Bear]

Ordered two couplers, split another in half yesterday. No fly for the N7. Looks like I will need to run the engine dry after every run. Thing is I always turn it over one compression stroke by hand before starting. May take the pieces to work and see if the inspection group will x-Ray the parts to see if they see anything.

[Rodney Kirstine]

That's really strange, for sure, Russell.  You might want to contact Matt. His email is matt@mattbotos.com. He might also want to take a look at the failed parts.

[Mike Spano]

Something is odd. I use the Sullivan on 4s and have been for years without a single failure. Are you hydrolocking it?

[Russell Bear]

Pretty sure it's not hydrolocked. I turn it over by hand before attempting to start, something I did running boats, of course that was with the plug out the spin it over to "fog" the motor first. Re-attach the plug and your ready to run. Not practical for heli's. Was hoping the Align or Gaui part would fit this shaft, never had any problems with them.

[Russell Bear]

Here is a pic of the couplers.  Sorry,  one of the halves was lost in the grass...

[Russell Bear]

And another broken coupling....

I have never had so many issues starting this heli. The Align and Gaui adapters are working well. Guess I need to order by the dozen...

[Mike Spano]

dude i'm sorry, but your doing something wrong. I have never had a coupler break, ever. I have been flying these nitro helis for 3 years, the same 3 couplers the entire time.....

I bought spares, but have never ever ever needed one of them.

check your alignment, check your starter shaft (on the starter itself) it needs to be in good shape and not be wearing down. be sure your not hydro locking also, that is easier to do than you think. is your start shaft in good shape? do you have a bad vibration that could possibly be weakening the coupler? how tight are you setting the set screws, too tight is worse than not tight enough....

you simply don't see posts like this about the synergy start coupler, you just don't. meaning that there is not a problem with the part,  but the install or use.

I hope I didn't come off harsh, but I don't want people to read your post stating you wish gaui or another brand would fit this heli and think there is actually a problem, because there is not.

[Mike Spano]

look at the second set pic you posted in your last post with pictures in it. you can clearly see that the setscrew is so tight that the fracture started there. you can see the evidence in the marks on the metal.

they do not need to be so tight you have to break them in half to get them off. the just need to be tight enough with red locktight. its not fair to blame the part when no one else is having this issue. the part is fine, you can see clearly from the pics that there are no "pockets" or "miss castings" in those couplers, they look exactly the way you would want one to look if you cut it in half.

[Rodney Kirstine]

look at the second set pic you posted in your last post with pictures in it. you can clearly see that the setscrew is so tight that the fracture started there. you can see the evidence in the marks on the metal.

That's exactly what I thought when I saw those pictures.  It looks to me like there are multiple stress fractures, all emanating from that one set screw hole.

[Cliff Chmiel]

They don"t have to that tight, do you have a small flat spot on the shaft?