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Glow Plug Ingiter

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pee wee

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I'm in the market for a new igniter so I went to the lhs and they have a few. One has a meter on the top that uses a "sub" c size batt, one kind uses a "C "or "D" size alcaline batt. or some are a sealed unit with a charger. I have the kind that clips on the glow plug but I see there is a twist and lock also. What kind to you recommend? Brand name ect. Thanks for your time and help.

Pee Wee
 
well I have a rechargable one, but I found it likes to die off quick regarless of how it is charged (maybe sub, par sub C?).

SO I bought a glow charger that runs off "D" batteries and bought 8 batteries to go with it.

My routine, Usually if the rig is running right, I just use the rechargable, a few pulls here and there and that is it.

If I have to keep starting the rechargeable one dies. It's nice not to have to guess. I can pull out the "D" one, slap in a new battery (toss the old) and I know its got juice no wondering. For about $6-$8 + batteries it is cheap insurance.

The rechargable I have has a meter on it. It's nice. You can tell if the juice is not getting to the plug. You can also tell how much voltage is left in the battery. If I am having trouble starting I can look to see if the Sub-c is half out of juice and switch.

My rechargable is a red annodized clip on from OFNA I belive. Its durable (at on it in my back pocket several times) It clips on securely. Perhaps if I were to buy a better Sub-C it would stay charged longer. I much prefer to use the OFNA metal one, but tha juice isn't always there.

The one that takes "D" abbteries also takes sub-c and c-s but comes with no charger it is definetaly an off brand and made of cheap plastic. But like I say cheap insurance and it always works.


Confused? :whack: I think maybe I am lol
 
I bought this one from Tower.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVZ07&P=7

It's HPI's model with the little meter on the end. If you're consistently religious about discharging and recharging the battery you probably don't need one with a meter. I like it because it tells you that the battery does have a charge AND that you've made the connection AND that there's no open element in your glow plug.

Fouled plugs are another story.
 
personally I would recommend getting one that has a removable battery... its handy (and alot less expensive) to carry a spare battery in case the igniter battery dies on you
 
The one linked looks exactly like my recharable only mine is red. It works well for what it is, but I NEEDED back up ;)

Taking a closer look I know they make glow chagers that take rechargeables, and regular alkalines.. you could just swap out batteries if your rechargeable one goes dead.
 
That's what I was thinking, but the ones that you can change to a new c or d alkaline don't have a meter. Do you think i should buy one with a meter for sure?
 
It really dpends on how much you are going to rely on the meter. The meter on mine is pretty basic. It tells me aproxx how much voltage is left in the ignitor. If I know the ignitor is charged, and the needle doesn't move then something else is wrong like a glowplug, or the way the ignitor is attached.

Personally If I could only carry one with me. I would forego the meter to be positive I had access to fresh batteries in the field. I always have spare plugs os it is simple for me to pull the ignitor and check it with a spare plug.
 
Man Sky that's a big boy, how much is something like that? Thanks.

Pee Wee
 
I've got the same batt as Sky. I picked up the tip here on the board last year. I've gone through about 2 gallons with it so far and its still going stong. I put a pair of roach...um..err...Alligator clips on mine. Easy to take on and off when packing/unpacking the bash equip.
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/gallery/data/500/660battery.jpg

I usually use the "Brick" as you called it to start my rides then I cary a D-Cell igniter in my back pocket in case it flames out or dies while refuelling.
 
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go with one with c or d sized alkaline bateries sooo much easyed than haveing the rechargeable one die!! .....i realy neeed to get one!.....
 
Thanks for looking that up for me Sky, and all the input from you guys. Does the brick get the plug hotter our just last longer.
 
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Hey Sky, is there any way to use that ignitor with a car battery? I know a car battery isn't 1.5V, so I'm wondering if theres a cheap transformer that could step the voltage down to 1.5V. I HATE having to worry about batteries, and charging them in general. Keeping up with Tx, Rx, and roto start batteries give me enough to worry about.
 
I use the same thing as Sky but I usually use it for everything, It works much better than my rechargeable and cost about about 7 bux cheaper (22, compared to 15 which is how much it cost's at the lhs)
 
The brick just lasts longer. No extra oomph from it.

Now, the car battery idea would really heat things up. Most car batteries are a whopping 12 volts. I would not suggest using that. As for a step down transformer or some other gadget, I am not familiar with any. I do know that you can get fast chargers for glo-ignitors that can be run off of a car battery. That would solve the rechargeable going dead problem (if you are old enough to drive or your playground is close to where you parked).

When I am in the field playing, I bring my field kit and that carries just about everything I need. It also helps to pick a playground that is accessible by 4x4. That way, you can get your 1:1 vehicle close to where you intend to play. Then you can use your charger as you see fit. I know El Pirata used to use a car battery driven charger to recharge his batteries when necessary.
 
Anyone know if its safe to switch out the rechargeable sub-c in my ignitor with one that has a higher mah rating? I'm thinking it'll just take longer to charge. Instead of the typical 1200mah in 10 hrs, it'll be 14 hrs for a 2100mah right? Then I wouldnt have to recharge so often.
 

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