Glow plugs

[Bootlegger]

  Guy's I am looking for some long reach Thunder Bolt idle bar plugs, where can I get them, and do you use another plug, and how do you like the other plugs?

         Thanks a lot...

[Motorman]

Try the K&B 4520 made in USA. http://www.mecoa.com/acc/glowplug/glowplug.htm

Although they incorrectly identify older engines as being loop scavenged. An engine with a baffle is a cross flow.


MM

[Lyle Spiegel]

I get mine from Hobby People. Since I'm in Albany, NY, I phone my daughter who lives in LA and ask her to stop in at the Hobby People  Encino store, and she sends me what I need.  Hobby People will also accept online order and ship, but it's more fun to get my daughter to buy over the counter, since not many women shop there, and they always ask her why  she needs them. Also, daughter doesn't charge me for shipping!

[Paul Smith]

In view of the ongoing situation, those who want to continue piston engine flying should be laying in a lifetime supply of glow plugs.

[Andrew Saunders]

The thunderbolt long reach plugs with the idle bar are the best plugs out there. Hobby people carries them and you can also get them from Randy Smith.

[Randy Cuberly]

As previously stated the Thunderbolt R/C long is the ideal plug and I also get mine from Hobby People.  Their service has always been about 2 days from time of order to receipt of the plugs.  Should they prove not to have any in stock and you're in a hurry the Enya #3 is a good substitute especially for non-piped engines like the OS LA46.  Hobby people usually also has them.

Randy Cuberly

[Motorman]

Is this the one?

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/thunderbolt-glow-plug-r-c-long-thunderbolt.html

What makes them better than K&B? Some tried to run Thunderbroke in racing and they were total crap.


MM

[Brett Buck]

Is this the one?

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/thunderbolt-glow-plug-r-c-long-thunderbolt.html

What makes them better than K&B? Some tried to run Thunderbroke in racing and they were total crap.

 These are the #2 plug used in stunt for about 20 years now, second to the Thunderbolt 4-cycle. The reason is that they usually provide a touch more power than the others, and they are dead-nuts reliable. And have no history of unexplained flame-outs.  I have had exactly one plug fail in the last 20 years, and I think that was because chip from a bearing hit it on the way out of the engine. Another important reason is that they started out at 79 cents a piece when Paul Walker discovered their benefits. Now, the 4-cycle is $7.99 so less motivation, but at one plug a year, changed as a habit before every NATs, it's in the noise.

    Many other plugs will work just fine, by the way. The only plugs to avoid are the Fox (no longer made but plenty available) and the Rossi (unexpected flame-outs). Glow-devil #300, McCoy MC-59,, OS A3, etc. Experiment (carefully...) and see what works for your particular setup.

     Brett

[Tim Wescott]

... but at one plug a year, changed as a habit before every NATs, it's in the noise.

Oh, good.  That means that your plug will be nearly a year old at the Northwest Regionals.  I'll bet that doubles my chances of winning against you.

[Brett Buck]

Oh, good.  That means that your plug will be nearly a year old at the Northwest Regionals.  I'll bet that doubles my chances of winning against you.

  Think that will be enough?

   Brett

[Tim Wescott]

  Think that will be enough?

   Brett

I think that zero times two equals zero.

[Motorman]

So the Thunderbolt 4-cycle is the one to use in say a SuperTiger G21-46 ?


MM

[Brett Buck]

So the Thunderbolt 4-cycle is the one to use in say a SuperTiger G21-46 ?


MM

   I would certainly try that, but I have no experience with that. By the time Thunderbolt 4-stroke plugs came to everyone's attention (~1991, Impact article), the ST46 was not a competitive stunt engine any more.

  I have a good assortment of plugs of various types to test with. But always be careful for the first flight, and always check them with first inside round loops, and some lazy 8s, listening for them loading up or otherwise indicating misfires.

   Brett

[RandySmith]

The best for the ST 46 is the  Glo-Devil #300  and the  ThunderBolt RC long

Randy