Aerovee 1850 electric start?

[J. Metcalfe]

Are there any bolt-on ways to add electric start to my Sonerai IIL? I'm not the biggest fan of hand propping, and I'm looking into adding a radio, transponder, and iPad so I will be doing some extra wiring anyway. Have any of you done this? I'll be making a center console where the passenger seat goes, and making that my dash. Thanks!

 

[John B]

It all depends on what your engine has now. You will need an accessory case, flywheel and starter if your airplane doesn't already have them and they will have to match your engine mounting arrangement. Some different brands of accessory cases had different mount spacing to the firewall. If you can take a picture of your existing mount/accessory case, that would help figure it out. You said "AeroVee" in the subject but I don't want to assume that is really what the engine mount is.

 

[soneraifred]

If your airplane has the original Monnett mounting pattern, and you have the Electro-X Mount on the back of the engine, I would suggest that you talk to Scott Casler at Hummel Engines. He can make an adapter that replaces the Electro-X that provides a starter and alternator. He’s done it for other Sonerai owners.

 

[Ebell]

Scott made such an adapter for my 1835 with the Electro-X mounting pattern. It fit perfectly and I couldn't be more pleased. Complete bolt on change.

 

[shocktrooper]

Scott C. at Hummel Engines machined an excellent set up to add a starter to my 2L as well...it all lined up perfectly but I did have to also have him make a new air induction manifold as well. You will have to cutout the firewall to fit the starter at bottom 6-o-clock position. Your (x4) eng. bolt spacer 'spools' will have to be machined down to precise length to return the engine to original position to still fit inside upper and lower cowlings. Measure over and over again to verify...THEN; "cut-only-once". It's actually NOT a "quick little job"...there are lots of small details to address, but at the end its' all WELL WORTH IT...if ya don't like hand propping. I HATED it! There is a bit of chasing-the-tail syndrome involved in this modification...but not too much...and in the end...sitting comfortably and simply turning a key to start your bird will put a smile on your face everytime! Go for it!

 

[J. Metcalfe]

Thanks for the information! I may not get that far on it. The original builder apparently wants to get it back, but we'll see what happens.

 

[redbarron55]

I have a Limbach SL1700EA with electric start and an alternator. Would make a nice engine and has original German parts quality. With Zenith Carb and exhaust for a Scheibe SF-25. This has a genuine Limbach prop hub and a flywheel with starter ring gear similar to a Lycoming.
Needs cylinders honed or replaced due to being "stuck" and a rust ring stopping full rotation.
Has single port and single ignition original heads that you cannot buy today with the original German quality.
Also has Slick magneto rear mounted (single ignition, shielded).
Why buy Brazilian when you can geet German?