Glow plug conundrum!

[Phil Hawkins]

With the price of glow plugs at a staggering all time high, and not looking like they will ever be coming down, what can a guy do to keep a decent supply on hand and not be hundreds deep invested? I am finding NOS marine, RC car, and the usual suspects, but is there a down side to using non-aircraft plugs? Intuitively, I would think not, but some new in package plugs state nitro and displacement limits. Would, for example, a plug designed for a  .18 RC car be a disaster waiting to happen in a Tigre V60?
Thanks for the insights & experience!

[Lauri Malila]

No, with some precaution the worst thing that can happen is that the plug breaks, so take it safe during the first flights. Everything is worth trying.
Actually, I've been looking for the car plugs for some time now, and at least OS seems to have a huge variety of different heat ranges available, and they most probably continue to be available for a long time.
The only question is, how those heat ranges correspond with the heat ranges of "normal" plugs, we have to find that out.
If it works out well, I'm also interested in going to the "Turbo plug" shape, it would make more sense for the combustion chamber design point of view. L

[Dave_Trible]

When the plug 'crisis' first came up I ordered off Ebay a few of just about everything there was to try.   I found out quickly that many of the cheap plugs are.....cheap.   Quite a few were bad right out of the package with mashed coils or they would burn out with the first run.   Some don't adapt to the Ni Starter batteries that we use.   My suggestion is to buy a couple of a variety of what you can find then set up on a test stand and run through them to see what you think will work-OR just pay the piper for better plugs-IF you can find any.   Right now the best bet might be Enya or OS.   Beware there is a counterfeit OS #8 out there.   You might google that and learn how to spot the imposter plugs and avoid them.  There are also those who are selling a few good plugs on the bay but want your next house payment for them.

Dave

[Jim Benzinger]

When the plug 'crisis' first came up I ordered off Ebay a few of just about everything there was to try.   I found out quickly that many of the cheap plugs are.....cheap.   Quite a few were bad right out of the package with mashed coils or they would burn out with the first run.   Some don't adapt to the Ni Starter batteries that we use.   My suggestion is to buy a couple of a variety of what you can find then set up on a test stand and run through them to see what you think will work-OR just pay the piper for better plugs-IF you can find any.   Right now the best bet might be Enya or OS.   Beware there is a counterfeit OS #8 out there.   You might google that and learn how to spot the imposter plugs and avoid them.  There are also those who are selling a few good plugs on the bay but want your next house payment for them.

Dave

I would counter the expensive plug argument with this:

How much is your plane worth? Is it worth the engine quitting in a bad spot?? A couple of extra dollars for a good plug is well worth it. It's the cost of doing business.

My main concern is availability. SH plugs are currently available and in a wide variety of heat ranges. Proven reliable and they run well.

Mikegoesflying.com   SH plugs. The Type F, for a 4-cycle runs better than a Thunderbolt 4-cycle/Big Bore.

[Colin McRae]

For what its worth I have acquired a few Fireball long hot plugs from Brodak for $5 each. I have run them so far on my older sport models (Fox, McCoy and OS Max engines) and have not had any issues to date. Plugs have been fine.

But I do run OS hot plugs on my OS LA and FP engines.

[Phil Hawkins]

When the plug 'crisis' first came up I ordered off Ebay a few of just about everything there was to try.   I found out quickly that many of the cheap plugs are.....cheap.   Quite a few were bad right out of the package with mashed coils or they would burn out with the first run.   Some don't adapt to the Ni Starter batteries that we use.   My suggestion is to buy a couple of a variety of what you can find then set up on a test stand and run through them to see what you think will work-OR just pay the piper for better plugs-IF you can find any.   Right now the best bet might be Enya or OS.   Beware there is a counterfeit OS #8 out there.   You might google that and learn how to spot the imposter plugs and avoid them.  There are also those who are selling a few good plugs on the bay but want your next house payment for them.

Dave

Thank you Dave!
This was my thought also. I am tracking, have in my buy it now cart, several makers of plugs. But again, by the time I have an assortment of various plugs, short and standard lengths, all in the hot range, various element materials - I still come in at around $200! On average a little over $10 each! But I also agree that "What is my plane(s) worth?"

So the next question... what are the best plugs available now? For running tuned piped  GS .061, AP Hornet/Yellowjacket .09/.15, OS FP .25, .40? Plus regular stunt engines ranging from FP/LA .20 - LA .46, Super Tigre/COMO .51, .56,  V60? If I start now, I will have an adequate supply by next flying season!

[Dave_Trible]

That's the idea!   Do let me save you a little trouble tho-   the ones marked ASP brand are the worst.  Also any showing a number like 711011 or something like that are the same crap.   Don't waste your money.   Actually old Fox plugs aren't too bad most of the time.   

Dave

[Gary Dowler]

estate sales, also watch on Craigslist.  search on there for model airplanes.    Ive found many brand new glow plugs this way, probably several dozen.

[Dick Pacini]

I have 4 brand new in the package, Brodak BE-1300 glow plugs.  That number doesn't show on Brodak's web site.  It was the standard plug for the Brodak 40.  I have had them for a few years.

[kenneth cook]

                Dick, there's a very strong possibility the plugs you have in the Brodak packaging are Merlin glow plugs. Unfortunately, Al passed away and they're not available any longer aside from a few vendors who still have some stock. They were actually good plugs if they are indeed the Merlin variety.

[Dick Pacini]

I may list them for sale if there is any interest.

[Motorman]

I may list them for sale if there is any interest.

If they are Merlins I'll take them. Post a pic if you can.

MM

[JoeGlow1985]

I think Swanson Associates still makes the Fireball Glow plugs in Wayne, NJ.  i talked the Kent (the owner) last year on the phone and they have been in business since 1948.  Their prices were better than Ebay and they are high quality.  Here is the contact information:

Kent Swanson
Swanson Associates
PO Box 151
Wayne NJ, 07470
973-984-5930
swansonfireball@yahoo.com

RadicalRC also carries these plugs:
RadicalRC.com

Hope this helps.

[Steve Helmick]

Call K&B/MECOA and ask who makes their K&B glowplugs. If they say "Ohlsson Corporation", buy those. They made Thunderbolt glowplugs, and they're excellent. You might also call Ohlsson Corporation and ask what brands of glowplugs they manufacture NOW.    Steve

[Chris McMillin]

Mikegoesflying.com has SH plugs which work great. Available new, immediately, right now.
Chris…

[Howard Rush]

Come to the Golden State Stunt Championships this weekend and get plugs from the Granderson estate for $2 each.

[Dan McEntee]

Mikegoesflying.com has SH plugs which work great. Available new, immediately, right now.
Chris…

    What numbers are you using in what? Some one here mentioned their four stroke plug. I think they only show 4 types of plugs on their sight. I'm still good but would be prudent to see what's available out there and test a couple.

  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Matt Colan]

Mikegoesflying.com has SH plugs which work great. Available new, immediately, right now.
Chris…

The SH four stroke plug is awesome!! Works extremely well in my PAs

[Brett Buck]

    What numbers are you using in what? Some one here mentioned their four stroke plug. I think they only show 4 types of plugs on their sight. I'm still good but would be prudent to see what's available out there and test a couple.

  The one you want is the S&H "F" four-stroke plug. In the PA75 it smooths out even more of the random lean breaks. On the RO-Jett 61 it has a similar effect, and in my case, is on the edge of "flattening" the response excessively compared to the Thunderbolt 4-cycle.

     Brett

[frank mccune]

         To avoid the glow plug shortage,  I dug out my Diesel engines.  No reason to go back to glow engines!