While Continental’s family of six-cylinder aircraft engines has a history of delivering exceptional performance and reliability, they are challenging applications for starters; especially the new-generation of “lightweight” units.
In response to ongoing requests by the engine’s manufacturer and legions of Continental owner/operators, Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) has recently introduced the newest members of its popular PM-Series starter family, which was developed and FAA PMA certified especially for six-cylinder Continental engines.
“Continental has expressed ongoing interest in this new PM-Series starter as a lighter weight alternative to our Energizer style starter they have been using on their six-cylinder engines,” stated HET’s President, Mike Disbrow. “This new starter is a mid-weight. It’s over three and a half pounds lighter than the legacy starter it replaces, but its new-generation components enable it to deliver performance on par with the benchmark Energizer.”
“The PM Series starter for Continental engines offers the best-of-both-worlds,” he said. “It sits between lightweights and the standard Energizer, delivering Energizer-like performance, while weighing only a single pound more than the upper range of the lightweight starters.”
Disbrow explained that along with the aforementioned advantages, the new PM-Series starter offers other benefits, including:
- Large, high-torque permanent magnet motor providing high-speed cranking performance.
- Low in-rush current draw, which puts less strain on the battery.
- Excellent cooling characteristics for a high-duty cycle.
- Direct drive, so there is no need for a complex gear reduction system.
- FAA-PMA approved for use on six-cylinder Continental engines.
- Available in both 12- and 24-volt models.
“Both the 12-volt model (PM1207) and the 24-volt (PM2407) list for $1,599.00,” he said. “They are now available from Hartzell Engine Technologies’ distributors and come with a 24-month or 1,000-hour warranty – whichever comes first.”