# Key Takeaways - Adhering to the starter duty cycle prevents damage to the starter - Typically a starter can be engaged for a specific number of seconds, followed by some short cooldown time - After a set number of attempts, the starter must cool down for a more significant time # Details > [!quote] From [Aircraft Spruce](https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pdf/kellystartercycle.pdf) > The starter cranks the engine for starting while the battery supplies the power. The engine does not always start on the first attempt so significant heat is generated in starter components which require a limitation to the number of cycles which can be made before a cool down period must be applied, this is called the "Duty Cycle". ## Sample Starter Duty Cycles *From [[Hartzell]] at [Starter Duty Cycle](https://skytec.aero/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Starter-Duty-Cycle.pdf)* > [!info]- E-Drive Lycoming Series Starters 10 seconds energized 20 seconds rest for 20 starts 10 minutes cool down > [!info]- X-Drive Lycoming Series Starters 10 seconds energized 20 seconds rest for 20 starts 10 minutes cool down > [!info]- M-Drive Continental Series Starters 10 seconds energized 20 seconds rest for 20 starts 10 minutes cool down > [!info]- PM12/24 Lycoming or Continental Series Starters 15 seconds energized 30 seconds rest for 6 starts 30 minutes cool down > [!info]- SkyTec Lycoming or Continental Series Starters 10 seconds energized 20 seconds rest for 6 starts 30 minutes cool down > [!info]- Energizer Continental Series Starters 10 seconds energized 60 seconds rest for 3 starts 15 minutes cool down > [!info]- Prestolite Lycoming Series Starters 10 seconds energized 60 seconds rest for 3 starts 15 minutes cool down # Additional Resources - [Starter Duty Cycle](https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pdf/kellystartercycle.pdf) - [Starter Duty Cycle](https://skytec.aero/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Starter-Duty-Cycle.pdf) from [[Hartzell]] #concept