fastplane

My first 40 size plane with inverted 2 stroke with cowl. It is difficult to get glow starter to bottom and then remove after the engine is started. Also possible dangerous to get hand so close to prop when it is turning.
What can be done about a simple on-board glow starter? It seems that a remote glow starter gets in the way of the rest of the electronics, servos, fuel tank. Can a on-board system work off the plane battery using a simple switch to turn it on and off? If so, would a higher capacity battery be required, or separate battery?
A step down for the voltage? The switch could be next to the switch for the plane.
Something simple like this would not weigh too much. What good systems are available?
Thanks,

the-plumber

The simplest on-board glow driver for single cylinder engines is a switch and a NiCd battery. If you only use the on-board for starting it will last all day.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

Don't use the RX battery for the glow.
You will need to add another battery.
RX is 4.8 or 6.0 volts. Glow is 1.2 or 1.5 volts

maddog-RCU

My Feedback: (23)

Here is a link to help you out. I have used this system on a couple of planes where I have an inverted 4 stroke, works great. The fellow who has the web page belongs to the same R/C club as me and is a good friend.

http://www.spieringswi.com/onboardglow/glow.htm

maddog

fastplane

Thanks, these ideas are very useful. I guess with this system you would need to also buy a battery charger?
The heavy C size battery will certainly foul up the CG on my plane. This would take some adjustment.
But, that can be done. When complete it would be safer then reaching under the plane so close to prop.

MFLOOD3800

My Feedback: (51)

go to c-tronics they sell a system complete w/ btty and all for around $70 i beleive
http://www.c-tronicsinc.com/
i have one i might sell i thought i needed it but got my 180 tuned and it is fine w/o
marty

kdheath

If your engine idles OK without the battery on the glow plug, just wire a remote connection for an external battery. Install the socket back near the LE at a handy spot, plug in the battery, start up, and remove the battery. You might need to go to a little hotter gloplug like a Thunderbolt or something similar.

Flyboy Dave

My Feedback: (21)

You can use a remote to the glow plug using your regular glow starter.

fastplane

That is a good thought. I would need to add a remote connection to top of cowl and use
a normal glow starter. Thanks.

kdheath

A remote is an especially good idea on 4 strokes where the plug is hard to get to. Enya 4S have the plug on the front of the cylinder where it is almost impossible to get to with the engine running. They were shipped with a remote hookup. I have a model with an inverted Saito that you almost have to turn completely over to even see the plug. I'm glad you started the thread-I think I'll go put a remote on it.

fastplane

Yea, I flew this morning. Had a geat time and plane did well. Each starting is just a discomfort connecting the glow starter and then inching the hand from the back on bottom of plane to remove it and not touch the prop. I was trying to get on-board glow installed last night but didn't have time to complete. Next week's flying it will be ready to go.

RC_Fanatic

My Feedback: (1)

I like the c-tronics unit as it is easy to set up. The problem I have is that the second time I hooked it up, the glow plug connector fell apart!

kdheath

One of my flying buddies uses this MK unit-a little spendy, but if it holds up as well as he says it does, it might be worth it.

http://www.centralhobbies.com/glow/glowcap.html

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

C-tronics fo for about $40 with battery. I use them on all my planes (6), not for reliable idle but to keep holes out of the cowl and my fingers away form the prop. You might be able to place the battery at the CG.

Carl

jgraham10

My Feedback: (3)

Dubro makes a unit that has a rotating cover.
The connection to the glow plug is easily put on with a needle nose pliers.
Here are a couple of pictures of the unit both inside and outside.
It allows you to use your current glow driver and can be placed anywhere on your fuse that youwant.
The cost is around 8-12 dollars.
http://www.shopatron.com/product/pro...d=DUB793/101.0
It is called a remote saftey ignitor part number 793 and 794
John

Balsa Master

6v rx battery... 4.5v resistor... 1.5v resultant voltage... resistor burns out.. who cares its already on the ground :-D (just dont wire it so its dependant on the starter having a compleate circuit... would require almost no rom at all you could even conenct the switch to the throttle servo when it hits max it turns on the circuit


solder...

fastplane

Balsa Master,Thanks. I am using a 4.8V Rx battery. If I use a 4.5v resistor the result will be as below. I am not familiar with using resistors and such. I don't know what problems it might cause with heat generated by reducing the voltage.
The problem I am having with the on-board C size is:
On my plane, the on-board glow igniter will not cold start my inverted 2 stroke Magnum 52. No matter how hot the C battery is.
Once the engine is started the normal way the C battery will start the engine, if warm.
The C battery measures 1.5V at battery, through the switch and up to the leads before connecting to glow plug and case.
Then when connected the voltage drops to .5 - .6 V across the plug to the engine case.
So, I think would need about 3 volts at the leads before touching the plug and case.

Bumstead

My Feedback: (2)

Whoa there big fella! Don't put 3 volts to your glow plug or it will be toast in very short order.
And, BTW all these comments about a 4.5v resistor??? Ain't no such animal.
Resistors are measured in OHMS.
The simplest on-board glow is a C cell wired through a switch. The next level is a C-cell
wired to a micro-switch tripped by the throttle servo horn. Like just above idle ON, 1/4 throttle and above OFF.
Then you can get the fancy stuff if you want.

fastplane

Bumstead, thanks for the reply. I have tried to use the C size through a switch. Which is what I would first chose.
It did not work. See my message just before yours reply back to Balsa Master.

Timthetoolman1

My Feedback: (6)

You may have come up with a solution by now but look here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3355489/tm.htm

fastplane

Rangerman, No solution yet. I was hoping to get something more simple than what those notes instruct.
I don't see any advantage to adding all the servo's, rechargeable batteries, charger, more work
when just a C size and two AA batteries and an external switch will not work.

Timthetoolman1

My Feedback: (6)

It's really simple.

-you use a switch and a servo a mount it on a board and forget about it.
-you keep a spare AA battery with you
and that's it!

You can activate it by one of three ways:

-you can mount a small switch outside the plane (be creative and nobody will know it's there)
-activate it with a servo switch on you transmitter
-slave it to the throttle (remember to take the battery out or leave the engine throttle open.

I think for most people the easiest and coolest would be to use a transmitter switch.

Timthetoolman1

My Feedback: (6)

Ok, I went back and read some of the comments. If your battery is falling to .3 v I think the battery is bad. I use a 1.2 v 1200 mah battery that comes with the rechargable battery set from Sams, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City or who ever, and I get about 6 flights before I change the battery out. I don't know if the fact that I'm starting 4 strokes is part of the reason because I've heard that 2 strokes aren't good upside down but I was also told you have to run 4 strokes with a remote glow that is on during low power which is not true. I think the 2 stroke would flood the glow plug easier.

fastplane

Rangerman, you missed my point. It doesen't matter how simple it might be. Nothing works on my plane.
No matter how fresh the battery is. Even using 2 AA batteries (2.4v). It just will not cold start the engine.
I don't know if it is an engine problem or something else.

Timthetoolman1

My Feedback: (6)

Oh, then I would lean toward the 2 stoke explanation.