Rotax Electric Starter Motor

Don't know about their electrical stuff, but Rotax makes some wicked IC engines.....

Try this

www.rotax.com

I am not familiar with this particular motor. However, my experience with trying to use starter motors for applications that they were not designed for was not that good. Starter motors are designed to produce lots of torque and they draw large currents, often more than a 100A. They are designed to run for relatively short periods of time and overheat quickly. To try to use them in an application where they will have to run continuously, you will have to de-rate them to the point where it would have been better to use a motor that was designed to run continuously.

Couldn't agree more.

I once saw a guy who made an electric car by using a jet engine electric starter motor taken from a military jet. He could go wicked fast... for about 30 seconds. He tried every kind of cooling system he could think of, including liquid CO2, but eventually gave up.

use a converter to a/c motor off the shelf [cheap, reliable]. 3 phase is possible and desirable.

very light 3phase/220v continuous duty 10hp motor is all you need for a car. use of a flywheel means you can win most races in 1st second or 2 :)

car might produce so little wasted heat you might need some disel anyway to heat cabin of veh.

using a small diesl genset onboard to top batteries if needed... cool hybrid

jstacat

If your Rotax starter is in good working condition, and fits up to any of the engines that are used on airplanes, ultralights/microlights, trikes, etc., you can probably sell it to someone who can use it for its original & intended purpose, and buy a good DC traction motor from the proceeds. You'll both come out ahead. Look for a discussion group involving Rotax engines, or aircraft in these categories, and you should have no problem finding both information and a willing buyer.

I see a pro-AC and a pro-DC post.

What are the main criteria to use for deciding which approach to use?

Are there really hard/compelling/semi-absolute criteria, or does it

come down to "hmmm, carrots or broccoli for supper?"

kk

From what I have seen, some prefer carrots, some prefer broccoli.

From a generation point of view I'm not sure which is the best way to go.

From a motive power point of view, I would assume (risking making an ass out of us both!) DC is the better/cheaper option if using batteries as a power source, as there is no need for the expense or power losses associated with the inverter needed to convert DC to AC.

How's the egg? (I'm in Edmonchuck)

The egg is still very multifaceted, in an ellipsoidal kind of way.

I'm working in Edmonchuck these days too at conceptstomarket.

kk

For my own part, I wasn't trying to espouse either AC or DC, but responding to the original post's reference to a "series type DC traction motor." The preference would likely depend upon the intended use, and on the level of knowledge, available components, and so forth on the part of the builder / designer of the project. Not enough has been supplied for me to see a clear choice. Selling off the starter motor, and buying something more suitable with the money, works regardless of that choice.

Thanks to all who have taken the time to reply to my original post.

I am now of the mind that my best course of action, as suggested by Ron, ref. post #5, is to sell the Rotax starter motor and buy an appropriate DC series wound traction motor.

Does anyone have a feel for the market value of this Rotax starter motor? In my estimation it appears to be very sturdily and very well made, and ticks over sweetly at no load on 12v DC.

Also, where is the best venue to market such an item?

Look at California Power Systems (http://www.rotaxparts.net/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=93 will show starters). They may offer a classified ad for used parts. Check Barnstormers (http://www.barnstormers.com/), or Trade-a-Plane.com (no Rotax starters currently listed, though). Search "airplane parts for sale" on Google for LOTS more sites. Good luck!

Might also be worth checking out hovercraft and snowmobile sites, depending on which engine the starter is for.

How much do you want for the starter, and do you have any pictures of it?

There are a few different ones.

Thanks,

John

Thanks for your reply.

Photos attached. Contact, in reply, if other views are required.

Re price, I have no idea, but am open to offers, should this motor be what you require.

here is an article about a guy who did this in 79.

mother earth 75 mpg car

Rotax was the name of suppliers of [automotive] electric lighting and starting equipment for vintage cars in England circa. 1920's through 1930's. The Rotax works was in the London suburb of Willesden. This equipment was typically fitted to Talbot and Sunbeam vehicles. The Rotax Company was taken over by Lucas some time before WW2. The Rotax brand which makes gokart supplies is no relation. If this starter motor is 24volt it may have been from a truck, bus or even an aircraft engine.

Good luck with that.