Surestart Spring Starter Motors

Powerstart’s range of Surestart Spring Starters are a reliable, cost-effective way of providing manual starting for diesel engines in a variety of applications.

Surestart Spring Starters

Powerstart’s SureStart spring starter motors are a reliable and cost-effective way of providing manual starting for diesel engines. Coming in six different model sizes, they deliver reliability through simplicity.

To start an engine you simply wind the handle to energize the spring. When the trip lever is pushed the starter motor turns the engine. It is that simple.

Surestart spring starters are perfect for harsh environments and hazardous areas such as offshore and marine applications as they are unaffected by
damp conditions. Because they are pre-engaged, SureStart spring starters are also ATEX compliant.

Surestart spring starters offer many advantages over electric starting, which may vary depending on applications and environments:

1

Spring starters offer guaranteed starting: long shutdowns, damp, cold or harsh environments don’t affect the engine cranking because of the manual operation.
2

Reliability: Spring starters have a long and proven track record with many spring starters still operating after decades in service.
3

Space and weight saving: Spring starters have a starting weight of only 18kg and less than 50% the weight of a conventional electric starter.
4

Operator safety: When using a spring, the crank will not fly off or kick back during operation, and the motor can be unwound if not required.
5

Ease of use: Spring starters are a direct ‘bolt-on’ alternative to electric starters providing quick and easy installation.
6

Reduces battery costs: For certain applications, such as pumps, welders and gen-sets a spring can remove the need for a battery completely.
7

Lower electrical costs: Without the need for an electric starter a lighter duty alternator can be fitted or your existing alternator will last longer.

How do spring starter motors work?

SureStart spring starters require no external power systems unlike their electric, air (pneumatic) or hydraulic counterparts.

They are simple, compact, and dependable. They are often the preferred choice for backup starting because they can remain energized or de-energised without any performance or physical deterioration.

The SureStart range of spring starters are a direct replacement for an existing electric (or other) starter system, making them easy and simple to fit.

Using a SureStart spring starter is safe and easy. The user winds the starter using the supplied cranking handle. This pre-engages the starter pinion into the ring gear within the first two turns. The winding ratchet means the user can wind as fast or as slowly as they wish and the starter will not unwind. Once wound, the spring starter can be tripped as and when the user is ready and chooses to do so. This starts the engine. There is no of the risk associated with electrical energy sources.

SureStart spring starters convert stored potential energy, in the form of a wound-up spring, into rotational kinetic energy used to turn over and start
the engine. The spring is wound by hand cranking. The energy is released by pushing a lever on the starter. SureStart spring starters use disc springs (also referred to as ‘Belleville Washers’). These are conically-shaped steel washers which are compressed by a ball screw.

If the user wishes to de-energise the spring starter, they can simply reverse the winding procedure and unwind it back to its normal state.

Applications

  1. Marine engines: Spring starter motors can be used as a backup to electric starters in marine engines. They are particularly useful in situations where the battery is dead or the starter motor fails.
  2. Aircraft engines: Some small aircraft still use spring starter motors as a backup to electric starters. They are particularly useful in situations where the battery is dead or the starter motor fails.
  3. Stationary engines: Spring starter motors can be used to start stationary engines, such as generators or pumps, where electricity is not available.
  4. Emergency backup: Spring starter motors can be used as a backup in emergency situations, such as power outages or natural disasters, to start engines that are needed for critical operations.
  5. Military vehicles: Spring starter motors are still used in some military vehicles, particularly in rugged and remote areas where electricity may not be readily available.
  6. Remote locations: Spring starter motors can be useful in remote locations where there is limited access to electricity, such as in wilderness areas, offshore drilling platforms, or remote mining sites.
  7. Agricultural machinery: Spring starter motors can be used to start agricultural machinery such as irrigation pumps, harvesters, and ploughs. This can be particularly useful in rural areas where access to electricity may be limited.
  8. Construction equipment: Some construction equipment, such as generators, compressors, and welding machines, may still use spring starter motors as a backup to electric starters.

Product highlights

Simplicity

The simple ‘wind and release’ operation of SureStart spring starters delivers two benefits to operators:

• Training on how to use the starters safely is kept to a minimum. Safety features and operational guidelines can be covered in minutes and summarised on a short fact sheet.

• Simplicity means reliability.

• No external components or power needed.

Parts compatibility

SureStart motors have many common components throughout the size ranges. For simplicity, there are core components which are pre-assembled making repairs easy and quick without the need for special tools or specialist
knowledge.

  • Fewer spare parts need to be held in stock.
  • Over 100 types of pinion are available.

Small volume “specials” will be cut and produced on-demand in our own gearcutting facility.

Flexible Installation

SureStart motors are incredibly versatile. They can be oriented to suit the engine and its ancillary equipment.

The starter motor, nosecone and winding handle can be oriented independently for 42 different angles of installation flexibility.

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