Author Topic: How to make a remote glow plug? (Read 3664 times)

Matt Colan · « **on:** February 07, 2009, 12:17:34 PM »

Hi, Since I am finally building an Ares and an Oriental Plus, these are my first inverted mounted engines. I am a little wary about sticking my hand under the engine to remove the glo-starter.

Is there anyway to make a remote glow plug assembly, so that I could just remove the starter on the side of the fuselage?

Thanks

rustler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2009, 01:31:25 PM »

Steve Webb Models here in England sells a great attachment. Good push-on clip goes on the glow plug. About 6 or 7" of wire goes to a repro glow plug at the other end which can be mounted to come out through the fus side, so std. glow plug connections can be used. There's probably similar things in the U.S. Failing that - www.stevewebb.co.uk

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2009, 01:34:44 PM »

Look at the accessories that RC Helicopter pilots use. I don't recall who made it. One piece is spring-loaded and attaches to the glow plug (like a twist on glow starter) and has a wire that goes to the external mount where your glowplug starter attaches. The second wire (return path) is attached to the motor crankcase (like a mounting bolt on the lugs).

Worked well for me.

james dean · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2009, 01:44:40 PM »

Hi Matt,

Here's somthing thaat ought to get you where you want to go.

The "Head Lock Remote" by Sullivan Part # M 021 This is a very nice and "Serious" unit that lends itself nicely for the inverted engine arrangement. I'm useing this for my SV-11.

Good luck with this!

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2009, 03:25:06 PM »

The Sullivan "Head Lock" was recommended in Stunt News, after a comparison test of several brands by Noel Drindak. They are available from both Tower Hobby and Hobby People, about $12 per. I think this is a good idea, tho I haven't used one...yet.

Steve

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:25:57 PM »

Quote from: james dean on February 07, 2009, 01:44:40 PM

Hi Matt,

Here's somthing thaat ought to get you where you want to go.

The "Head Lock Remote" by Sullivan Part # M 021 This is a very nice and "Serious" unit that lends itself nicely for the inverted engine arrangement. I'm useing this for my SV-11.

Good luck with this!

That's it!

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:27:41 PM »

I think they would probably work fine, however, I modify mine by replacing the head lock with a heavier wire soldered to a ground down 3/32" wheel collar to put on the plug end. I do use the other end for the glow driver. I just do not like to use 20 ga. wire for glow hook up.

Bill Adair · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2009, 09:29:11 PM »

Matt,

Was in my small local hobby shop this afternoon, and just happened to run across the remote glow ignitors. They had at least six different types, so you should have no trouble finding one you can use.

I don't like the glow plug shaped external connections, because they put a lot of strain on the wood surface if you hang a heavy self contained glow ignitor on one. If you do want to use one like that, I'd recommend a light weight connector for the external connection such as a Headlock, which is simply a twist on glow plug clip on the end of the wires.

Here is a link to some ignitors, and the Headlock.

http://www.sullivanproducts.com/ProductIndexMainFrame.htm

Bill

Andrew Hathaway · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2009, 09:54:35 PM »

I've never done one myself, but if I did I think I'd start with the plug wire from a R/C car that attaches to the center post of the plug. Tower shows them for $1.65. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSP09&P=7 The ground lead can be as simple as a ring terminal under one of the mounting bolts with a short lead. Run both wires to any number of quick disconnects accessible from outside the structure. To connect to the power source, Tower sells a charging lead for glo-starters with the glow plug type connector and banana plugs on the other end. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL337&P=7 A resourceful person could probably fabricate their own version from a junk glowplug... Just replace the banana plugs with whatever quick disconnect you like. You'd have maybe $5 in parts per plane, and a one time $5 expense to go from your battery to the planes. Of course with so many over the counter solutions, there isn't much reason to reinvent the wheel, except the above method might save a little weight and a bit of expense.

Greg L Bahrman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2009, 11:14:26 PM »

These are the ones I use.
http://www.enya-engine.com/plug_E.html

Matt Colan · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:33:28 AM »

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll go with the sullivan head lock remote.

Pinecone · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2009, 10:08:40 PM »

I use the Sullivan on my 50 heli.

But some just use a simple alligator clip with insulating sleeve.

The other end is a fake glow plug for your glow starter.

Martin Quartim · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2009, 06:33:27 AM »

I like the way how Al Rabe did it using this Dubro item http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=001093390&I=LXD693&P=K

cut of the wire to length and install a WS Deans connector to make the external connections. It comes out very light and the wire come out of the plug at 90o and it easier to conceal it in the cowling.

Perhaps there is a smaller connector we could use

The Enya Remote plug I have only works with Enya Glow Plugs. The Enya glow plugs tips are different, they are fat and round.

Martin

Pinecone · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2009, 09:12:05 AM »

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RVO1015

This is one of the ones used by the heli crowd. The cap holds with spring tension (you pull the wire to open a gap, then release to trap the plug end.

You would need to run a ground wire if you don't mount the remote to the engine or to a metal engine mount.

Or you could just cut the remote fake glow plug off and use a Deans or any other connector to make it work. The fake glow plug is ice as you use your standard glow starter.

don Burke · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2009, 05:16:06 PM »

Hobby People has this one:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/279953.asp

It's spring loaded against the plug tip. I use it to lead from the plug to the hot glove connectors on some of my racers. I gound to the engine or some other metal part attached to the engine for the rest of the circuit.

Pinecone · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2009, 07:04:11 AM »

That one is the same end as the Revolution one I posted. Smae product, many suppliers.

Of course, the HP one doesn't have the fake glow plug, so it better if you want to use some other connector.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2009, 05:48:34 PM »

I haven't used one yet, but I intend to. It looks like the pipe header would be a nice, hard place to mount the connector.

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2009, 09:35:45 PM »

Just what is a remote. I alwasys thought that a remote was my glow plug leaving the engine unpronounced and belive me i have had that happen a cou[le of times. After this happens you sharpen up you running to keep the plane safe in a upside down landing. By the way that is usually when it happens when the plane is upside down.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2009, 06:40:14 AM »

Quote from: Leo Mehl on February 24, 2009, 09:35:45 PM

Just what is a remote. I alwasys thought that a remote was my glow plug leaving the engine unpronounced and belive me i have had that happen a cou[le of times. After this happens you sharpen up you running to keep the plane safe in a upside down landing. By the way that is usually when it happens when the plane is upside down.

Leo What I meant about a remote glow plug is that you mount the glow starter away from the glow plug. It is remotely mounted.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2009, 11:18:38 PM »

Leo, it's not because your airplane is upside down, but because the glowplug unscrews because you're flying the wrong direction of rotation. When will you join the modern world and fly anti-clockwise? Your fuel tank will fill up completely, your glowplugs will stay in, and your friends will help you test and trim your planes, for a change. It's a win-win situation, I tell ya.

Steve

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2009, 11:05:39 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on February 27, 2009, 11:18:38 PM

Leo, it's not because your airplane is upside down, but because the glowplug unscrews because you're flying the wrong direction of rotation. When will you join the modern world and fly anti-clockwise? Your fuel tank will fill up completely, your glowplugs will stay in, and your friends will help you test and trim your planes, for a change. It's a win-win situation, I tell ya. Steve

I was joking. I have made remote starters for my four stroke engines that worked fine using alligator clips. The plug wire is made with a brass tube connector to the plug and the ground clip was attached to the muffler to start it. It worked perfect but you have to have the right size tubing and a thunderbolt plug to do this, but maybe could use a Fox plug.

Author Topic: How to make a remote glow plug? (Read 3664 times)

Alan Hahn

Alan Hahn