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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: DanielGelinas on August 10, 2012, 07:16:11 AM
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Hi Guys,
I've been reading on the forums that some people start their engines with 2v batteries as opposed to the 1.5 volts.
Is this common practice now or are most of you using 1.5 volts?
Thanks,
-Daniel
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If I'm not using my portable ignitor, I use my 12 volt battery connected to my power panel and vary the voltage to suit different engines and climate conditions.
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I too use my power panel with 12 volt battery. I also use the little 1.2 volt rechargeble battery on occasions. But, as I learned the hard way, a 2 volt battery fully charged will blow a 1.5 plug. Yes I do have some 2 volt Fox plugs. That is why I like the rheostat on the power panel. H^^
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Thanks Guys,
Where does one purchase a power panel and do any of you have on to recommend to me?
Thanks,
-Dan H^^
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Why not call McDaniel/Sonictronic and get a ni-starter? They work as good as anything without dragging a power panel around. I use them with no trouble on all plugs.
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Try a Nelson heavy duty plug for racing and combat. LL~ LL~
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Daniel,
Not sure of your location but if you are in a northern area that gets cold the 2 volt approach is worth it once the temp is below 45 - 50F. Above that the normal ni-cad 1.2 volt plug driver is fine with normal 5% and higher nitro fuel. If you are using FAI 0% nitro then the 2 volt might be good all the time. The setup I have used is with the power panel (go to Tower Hobbies to get one easy) and a small 12 volt motorcycle battery. With this setup you can also power your starter from the power panel as well.
Best, DennsT
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I use a Cyclon 2 volt 5 amphr gelcell with about five foot of lead made out of an old extention cord. I use Fox 2 volt plugs and change them every couple of years if I think about it. I have a clip with will fit Cox glow heads and it is just what they need. Much of the problems people have starting Cox engines is that the plug needs to light up like a flashlight. I have started regular plugs without blowing them and have started engines with the Fox 2 volt plugs with a clip on. The late Gene Hempel was trying to start a Fox 15 on the bench with my battery. All it would do was backfire and throw the prop. He switched to a clip on and it started immediately. So it is possible to have the plug too hot for a particular engine. :o
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I found some NiZn (Nickle Zinc) batteries rated at 1.6V nominal. I put one into service and used it for 8 flying sessions on the factory charge before it went dead. No blown plugs yet.
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Most plugs take 1.0V at the plug to glow nicely. Cox plugs take more. If you get to the 1.0V using a dropping resistor, the voltage at the plug will drop with a flooded engine.
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Try a Nelson heavy duty plug for racing and combat. LL~ LL~
I did, but it won't fit in the hole in my Fox.
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Power panels are the way to go because they send 12 volts to the plug but switch it on and off very rapidly to give the effect of a much lower average voltage. The control knob just adjusts the on/off times but because different plugs may need different settings I'll always check a new plug before fitting it to an engine by turning the knob right down then slowly winding it up to get the glow I like. Somewhat surprisingly I found the Cox plugs needed about the same setting as my Taipan plugs. A decent power panel will have connections for plugs, electric starters and fuel pumps (12V/6V and reversible switch to empty a tank). The battery I use is a 7 amp hour usually used in alarm systems.
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Daniel
The Sonic-Tronics/McDaniel ni-starters work very well as Curtis mentioned. My first one lasted for 11 yrs. No muss, no fuss for most applications. The Power Panel deal mounted in a flight box is good especially if you need more than 1.5 volts for a flooded engine or cold weather starting conditions. But the Sonic-Tronics/McDaniel ni-starter is the best bang for the buck and works well in 90% of situations. :)
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Daniel
There are probably 15 different brands of Power Panel. Perhaps the basic version from Tower Hobbies for $20.00 is sufficient.
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Power panels are the way to go because they send 12 volts to the plug but switch it on and off very rapidly to give the effect of a much lower average voltage. The control knob just adjusts the on/off times but because different plugs may need different settings <snip>
So your saying it's not a Rheostat (variable resistor)?
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Gel cells are used in emergency lighting and the like. They are required to be replaced every so often. So an emergency lighting place will have like new 2 volt gel cells available cheap.
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I would suggest that you NOT throw away any dead or dieing glow plug igniters before you read my article on repairing them coming out in the November 2012 issue of Model Aviation.
Clancy
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So your saying it's not a Rheostat (variable resistor)?
No, it's not a rheostat. The knob varies the frequency that the 12V is switched on for a few milliseconds then off for a variable time. A voltmeter will read 12V because it can't react fast enough to show an average but you can hear a slight hum as it switches.
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I use the 1.2 glo starters. But also have the panel for back-up. it also has a place to charge my glo starter off of my pannel while I'm at the field. But I only use it when a buddies goes dead at the field.
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The McDaniel NiCd starters use a sub-C cell, rechargeable. When that goes bad, you can salvage sub-C cells from some electric screwdriver power packs. These have several cells, and often only one goes bad. You can save the remainder!
The nice thing about these little NiCd starters, you can approach the flight line with only your NiCd starter and a chicken stick, which can reside in your pocket!. Nothing to lug around.
Floyd
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My 2 cents, I use the Hobbico Micropanel plus unit. works well and is very small.(And inexpensive)
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWX80&P=7