Hi guys

I just got a very nice O&R .23 with what seems to be the original glow plug. My question is... what voltage does it require to fully light up? My modern ni-start barely works on it. Thanks for any info..

Back in the old days, every one used one or two 1-1/2 volt door bell batteries, dry cells, either in parallel  or alone. They were a full 1-1/2 volt where our nicads or NIMH are only 1.2 volts. The old Olsson and Champion glow plugs do not work well with less voltage. It should work fine on 1-1/2 volts if you have plenty of current available. I have several of the Ohlsson 3/8 glow plugs, and some Champion glow plugs of both sizes.

They are a little unhandy because a normal glow driver will not fit any of them. There again, in the old days we used alligator clips for the plug connection. A lot of this spilled over from the ignition days where two batteries were used in series for 3 volts for a booster to start. it was a natural thing to use alligator clips on glow.

Just a little history as I remember it from before dirt was invented.

   I need to round up all the old plugs that are sitting in junk boxes and mount them on something. I have at least one or two that look like this one. I thought that maybe they were an Arden plug. Never tried to make one glow. I just find them interesting and cool to look at. Just a small but vital part of our hobby's history.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Hey Art. All of the ones I have are the 3/8 24 thread. Sorry, I do not have any of the 1/4" Ohlsson plugs. I do have some Champions though I believe.

Mine is the 3/8"... 😊

Hey Art. That is a 3/8 plug after I looked a little closer. I had never seen any Ohlsson's from the 33 and smaller with a 3/8 plug. But you have one. I only have two which I would like to keep for my collection.

Larry Davidson makes a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter bushing to convert them to 1/4. That would be your best bet for running on glow. Then you could use a standard glow driver.

Thanks everyone!😊