Resurrrecting a Dead Glow Plug Igniter.

[Clancy Arnold]

I received my copy of Model Aviation, April 2013 issue, today with my article in it and have allready received an email asking for a source of the battery. 
Clancy

Sub C flat top NiMH 3300 mHA Batteries without solder tabs are available on eBay:
Qty 1 eBay item # 181099877199 for $5.12 total cost.
Qty 2 eBay item # 350722310193 for $7.61 total cost.

[Bob Hudak]

Way to go Clancy ! Don't forget us cheapskates that take old cordless drill batteries apart and find the good nicad cells left in the bunch to reuse on a glow igniter.
 Bob

[Steve Helmick]

I found that one of my ignitors came with an NiMH battery (a "car" unit, tho it didn't say that it was extra long stemmed, and I sure didn't know). The battery worked fine, but I found I really needed to charge it somewhat close to the flying days, because they don't hold a charge as well as a NiCad. I've gone for NiCads ever since, as a result.

Tower Hobby has them in Sub-C and up to about 2800 whatzits or so, but it really isn't too easy to figure out which one you need to order from their battery chart. I have always bought DuBro's ignitors with the screw-together body, so I can carry along an extra battery (NiCad) fully charged.  Steve

[Perry Rose]

Two cells on the way. I find it strange that sub C's come in different diameters. Radio shack cells are too big to fit the igniter top.

[John Stiles]

Way to go Clancy ! Don't forget us cheapskates that take old cordless drill batteries apart and find the good nicad cells left in the bunch to reuse on a glow igniter.
 Bob

I thought I was the only one who did that!

[John Stiles]

I found that one of my ignitors came with an NiMH battery (a "car" unit, tho it didn't say that it was extra long stemmed, and I sure didn't know). The battery worked fine, but I found I really needed to charge it somewhat close to the flying days, because they don't hold a charge as well as a NiCad. I've gone for NiCads ever since, as a result.

Tower Hobby has them in Sub-C and up to about 2800 whatzits or so, but it really isn't too easy to figure out which one you need to order from their battery chart. I have always bought DuBro's ignitors with the screw-together body, so I can carry along an extra battery (NiCad) fully charged.  Steve

I have one of each....lost the charger for the unitized one. Thinking about cutting into the plastic coating to see if it comes apart. The screw together one won't stay clipped anymore.

[Crist Rigotti]

I received my copy of Model Aviation, April 2013 issue, today with my article in it and have allready received an email asking for a source of the battery. 
Clancy

Sub C flat top NiMH 3300 mHA Batteries without solder tabs are available on eBay:
Qty 1 eBay item # 181099877199 for $5.12 total cost.
Qty 2 eBay item # 350722310193 for $7.61 total cost.

Clancy,
Do you find the Ternegy cells ouput their rated capacity?  I bought a bunch of those same cells and after a full charge and several discharge/charge cycles using my cycler, the mah rating was basically about half of the 3300mah rating.  what is your experience?  Thanks.

[REX1945]

I find the clamping mechanism to be more the limiting item for the life of a glow
igniter.

My first sonic-tronics lasted 7 years until it would no longer stay clamped on.

Of course, if you put in too many flights with the igniter on the plug, you could
shorten it even more !

I find that the DuBro clip style works better (makes better contact) on my OS .25 than the sonic.
But the Du Bro clips have a very short life for me.

[john e. holliday]

I have two igniters,  one long shaft and one short shaft.   Went to local Radio Shack and was told they don't make them any more.   Now I need to wait and read Clancy's article.

[Bill Little]

Thanks, Clancy!  A great general knowledge article for Model Aviation.  Glad to see it in the magazine.


BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Ward Van Duzer]

22 Years, 2 Batteries!


Ward-O

[Joe Yau]

22 Years, 2 Batteries!


Ward-O

Must be pretty good to last that long!  What kind of batt is it? 

[John Stiles]

Open it or chunk it?

[Perry Rose]

Open it.

[John Stiles]

Open it.

I did...it's aluminum collar pressed onto a nicad battery. Doesn't unscrew as I can tell it.

[Clancy Arnold]

John
That looks just like the one I reworked in the article.  Go for it.
Clancy

[John Stiles]

John
That looks just like the one I reworked in the article.  Go for it.
Clancy

Haven't seen the article Clancy...can you give me a few pointers? I thought about just using the clip part on a cable. Something like what Ward has.

[John Stiles]

Clancy, I saw the article online...took a pair of needle nosed pliers and straddled the battery while holding it with my left hand then popped the pliers with a small ball peen....battery came right out. Exactly the size of a "D" cell. Thanks.

[Will Hinton]

I generally buy two new batteries at the Toledo Show every year.  They always have some good prices at a couple of booths.  Good excuse to come to a great weekend!

[Clancy Arnold]

Crist
I have not measured the AH capacity but I will. 

The main thing I like about the resurrected igniter is that I have not touched it since the NATS and it started my ST 35C engine yesterday. 
Clancy

[Bob Reeves]

I have taken apart and replaced batteries a couple of the orange SonicTronics glow drivers like the one shown in the article with the meter. I found the shaft soldered to the battery rather than conductive epoxy shown on the one in the article. Wonder if the epoxy is an old version of if I have the old version and they are now using epoxy.

It takes a pretty healthy soldering gun to unsolder the shaft but it can be done. I would also think a little heat would soften the epoxy enough to get the shaft off the battery, clean it up then solder to the new battery instead of using epoxy. You do have to be very careful of the center conductor wire to make sure you don't melt the insulation and short it out.

Never liked the pull type clip-on as like has been mentioned they loose the ability to stay connected after some use. Never had an issue with the push and twist SonicTronics. I also really like the meter, eliminates the guess work as to if the glow plug is lit or not and if the battery is charged. Don't like long shafts as they become a problem with inverted engines.

At least this has been my experience, your mileage may vary..

[john e. holliday]

Finally got my issue of Model Aviation and read Clancy's article.   Now I need to get some batteries ordered.  Good reading in the Carrier and Scale CL columns.

[Crist Rigotti]

Crist
I have not measured the AH capacity but I will. 

The main thing I like about the resurrected igniter is that I have not touched it since the NATS and it started my ST 35C engine yesterday. 
Clancy

Thanks Clancy.  Let me know.

[Bill Little]

22 Years, 2 Batteries!


Ward-O

Hi Ward,

How often do you charge the battery,  and with what charger?

Thanks!
Bill

[john e. holliday]

As with any type battery it depends on how often you use it and how long.   But, from experience if a battery is not used often enough it will lose it's capacity over time.