I've never really counted "how many starts" my glow starter went through. A good charge overnight should last you the whole day. If you're unsure or worried about murphy's law coming into play, get a starter that uses C Batteres. I got one made by Dynamite and it also has a meter. Cost me a little over $10. I keep it in my toolbox as a backup with a pack of fresh batteries.
On one of my ignitors, I run a 3000mah cell. it lasts for a couple days worth of starting between charges. Sometimes I leave the ignitor on when I'm starting until the mill warms up and this takes a couple minutes each time. The cell was like $10 for 1, but it's worth it to have the extra mah's.
I have a Dynamite that takes a D cell and a rechargable one that last for a couple of days (can't rember the make). Usually the rechargable one goes dead on me in the middle of having fun and I get out the trusty D cell initor and go from there.
i bought a large square battery from hobbico and some clips that attaches to it with an ignitor end on the other side works like a charm and i have had it a month with alot of use and it still has the plugs burning hot and bright here is the web site.
Most STANDARD rechargeable glo ignitors will run 10 minutes continued use. As stated in their documentation. The new hot shot 2 PRO is supposed to run over 20 minutes continues. I use the HotShot 2 in my pocket for FIELD starting, but when back at the truck, the HobbiCo 1.5 big cell gets used.