Glow plug ignition battery removal is where I have seen many accidents. DO NOT reach over or around the prop while removing. Many will say I have been doing it for years, but be warned that it will eventually bite you!  I have also seen many people bitten by needle valve adjustment. Always stand behind the spinning prop. Respect it as if it were a table saw blade. Never take your eyes off it while working around a running engine.

I have quite a few stories about this subject.

Yes my last prop accident was trying to remove clip on out board engine.   I now always try to get clip where I can remove from top side while behind the engine.   That accident cost me eleven stitches and surgery to tie ligament back together.

Good advise. I would add to have the battery cord stretched out so if it pops off the engine it won't go in the prop.

MM

I'm surprised more hasn't been done over the years to avoid getting fingers too close to spinning props given the severity ( and probably frequency ) of injuries from dis-connecting plug clips.

Has anyone used this type of safety lead ? ( Also any advice on where to buy similar leads if these are not re-stocked ).

https://www.enya-engine.com/store156C_1/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=safety+plug+cord

If there is another way to get bitten by the prop I haven't found it yet. Give me time. My favorite is the wood prop, it's not as bad as the plastic ones. I also got whacked by a table saw blade. If I'm not bleeding I'm not having fun.

Quote from: redout on March 11, 2025, 03:40:22 AM
I'm surprised more hasn't been done over the years to avoid getting fingers too close to spinning props given the severity ( and probably frequency ) of injuries from dis-connecting plug clips.

Has anyone used this type of safety lead ? ( Also any advice on where to buy similar leads if these are not re-stocked ).

https://www.enya-engine.com/store156C_1/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=safety+plug+cord

    Remote glow plug hook ups are a good idea. Especially if the glow plug can be difficult to reach on some engines, such as four stroke engines. I had the late Walt Brownell's Hawker Typhoon stunt/scale model for a while and it was powered by a OS.70 four stroke, and he had one of those installed on the outboard side of the fuselage nose. Much easier to attach the glow clip or ignitor battery, as the plug on most four strokes is at the rear of the head and at an odd angle. When I recover my Top Flite Score that is powered by a Saito .56 it is gonna get one of these!
    Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

Especially for inverted engines, we should all be using remote glow igniter leads that position the attachment for the glow ignitor far away from the engine and prop. Hanger 9, Dubro, SonicTronics and others supply them, for around $10-20. A lot cheaper than a trip to the emergency room. I also remind myself to move like a sloth when reaching under the PA40 with a carbon 3-blade to release the igniter from the plug. This is not a time to be in a big hurry.

Another factor that many of us have to deal with is advancing age. At 77 I am not as spry as I used to be and my balance when kneeling down in front of a running engine is not what it used to be. We need to take precautions that we never used to think necessary.

And its not always the big-block motors that bite us. The worst cut I ever got was from a TeeDee .020 on a vintage FF model. When starting the timer just behind the engine I let my left hand swing through the prop arc. A tiny prop at 25,000 rpm does real damage.

Here's the Hanger 9 remote kit. It works very well; the connection jack can be located in the fuse side wall of the tank or engine cavity. You will need to run a ground to the engine mounting bolt. The kit contains the plug lead, the remote jack and a connector lead from the jack to your battery box or NI starter.

Quote from: Perry Rose on March 11, 2025, 05:17:56 AM
If there is another way to get bitten by the prop I haven't found it yet. Give me time. My favorite is the wood prop, it's not as bad as the plastic ones. I also got whacked by a table saw blade. If I'm not bleeding I'm not having fun.

Mickey "Three Fingers"....is that you??

Steve

Those remote glow things look like something that will break at worst possible moment and ruin your contest. Keep it simple.
Propably famous last words, but I never use any safety measures, like glove or chicken stick, with my .77. It's just about knowing the engine, how to prime it and to have the plug glowing in the correct way. I usually flip it over the compression.
L

Thanks for the information. The Hangar 9 one seems to be easily available over here so will get that one.

Those remote glow things look like something that will break at worst possible moment and ruin your contest.

Lauri,

I'm not sure what could break. I just installed one on an Oriental that was given to me because of the limited space between the inverted engine and the ground. If a break consisted of the connector failing or a wire coming lose, the quick answer would be to simply pull off the lead to the glow plug, tuck it away and connect your igniter to start and you're on your way.

Steve

Quote from: Lauri Malila on March 11, 2025, 03:40:47 PM
Those remote glow things look like something that will break at worst possible moment and ruin your contest. Keep it simple.
Propably famous last words, but I never use any safety measures, like glove or chicken stick, with my .77.

     Right, I cannot see using something like that, if nothing else, you have to take the cowl off to change the glow plug. I also don't use a chicken stick or glove, after 20,000 times without it makes me very uncomfortable and awkward, and I can barely even manage it.

QuoteIt's just about knowing the engine, how to prime it and to have the plug glowing in the correct way. I usually flip it over the compression.

       I almost never try that!  I always back-bump it with the spinner or the root of the prop, no chance of getting cut since it's the leading edge of the prop and my hand is nowhere near it when it comes up on compression.  I see people with rubber tubes winding up and whacking it like they are chopping wood, I have no idea where that comes from, but if you are going to do that, yes, I wouldn't use my finger, either. Combat guys used to do that, maybe it is necessary with a Fox Combat special and a 8-8 prop, but not a big old lazy stunt engine.

On those *very rare occasions* I flip it forward with the battery on, I am extremely careful about sliding my finger along the prop, which is how you get cut. The other issues are still possible, but I have a routine and I am not changing it. BTW, I remove the battery and adjust the needle with my left hand ,which is already on that side of the prop and so I don't have to reach across.

    BTW, apropos of the other thread, also do not reach through the prop disc to *attach* the battery unless you are holding the prop to keep it off compression. That is far and away the most likely time for it to start unexpectedly. If it is on compression when you put the battery on, it can easily bump enough to whack you right in the wrist with whatever effect. 

    Brett

My concern is the glow drivers coming off and falling in to the prop arc. I don't remember this happening 20 years ago.  I like the remote started idea but don't like the glow plugs pin holding the weight of the glow driver, which is what normally end up happening with side mounted engines.

Quote from: redout on March 11, 2025, 03:40:22 AM
I'm surprised more hasn't been done over the years to avoid getting fingers too close to spinning props given the severity ( and probably frequency ) of injuries from dis-connecting plug clips.

Has anyone used this type of safety lead ? ( Also any advice on where to buy similar leads if these are not re-stocked ).

https://www.enya-engine.com/store156C_1/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=safety+plug+cord

Those remote glowplug connectors are fine, but quite heavy for our purposes. Alan Resinger designed and used a similar onboard connector that was much lighter and way more compact, using a miniature phone jack from Radio Shack. Radio Shack has been gone for a decade or so, but I'm sure the parts are still available from Amazon or someplace like that. The clip onto the top of the glowplug was fashioned from music wire, soldered to the wire from the phone jack socket, and insulated with a short bit of silicone fuel hose. Brilliant!  Steve 

I have seen several videos of people running engines for an extended period of time on the bench and not removing the glow starter. It's bouncing around like popcorn in a hot skillet.

Does anyone still produce the old giant clothes pin connectors?

Quote from: Michael LeGate on July 06, 2026, 10:22:54 AMDoes anyone still produce the old giant clothes pin connectors?

https://brodak.com/engines/battery-s/starter-battery-box-with-clip.html

Brodak sells this. I had an old one sitting around and just redid the clip for my RC Cats glow driver.

https://brodak.com/engines/starters/sullivan-glow-plug-klip.html

This can also be made to work.

Colin

The big Sullivan one is it. Thank you.