What is the max voltage I can safely put to

[moparrob]

a glow plug?

I'm trying to figure out some alternatives to my present glow driver setup and was wondering if anyone knows what is the max safe voltage to a McCoy MC59 glowplug?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

1.5 volt should be all you need.

 

[iced-nmt]

Yep, rechargeable igniters run at 1.2V, a single cell. An igniter with an alkaline battery in it is at 1.5V, again, a single cell. Doesn't matter what size battery you will use, just that a D size will last you A LOT longer than a AAA. lol. Just use a single cell and you are fine.

 

[moparrob]

I figured 1.5 would work, based on the fact most igniters use 1.5 single cells. But I was wondering if there would be any benefit in trying to modify my Traxxas hand controller/starter module (EZ starter) to put out more like 1.8 or 2.0 volts by changing the size of the resistor. Has anyone tried 2 volts or more and if so, at what point do the glow plugs fry?

 

[chrisexv6]

Juding from how temperamental the infamous "blue wire" is to even the slightest break in the sleeving, the more voltage you can get there the better. I'm assuming we arent even getting a full 1.5V most of the time, unless running a brand new blue wire (which would be a miracle, because they are on backorder everywhere).

I wouldnt worry about putting more juice to the plug as much as I would worry about taking it AWAY from the motor itself. If you figure we have a 7.2V battery pack, we just need to figure out the draw of the motor itself to see whats left. My guess is the motor is very close to the remainder of that 7.2 after the glow plug voltage is subtracted.

A LHS guy told me the first thing Id do is go to a plug ignitor and let the starter battery just turn the motor. I said "no no no, it can't be that bad". When I'm done wiping the egg off my face Ill be buying a separate ignitor.

-Chris

 

[mcvickj]

Chris - I said the same thing about the blue wire. I have since then tied the blue wire up and out of the way. I am using an Ofna D cell plug ignitor. My 7.2 battery lasts 3 times as long.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

The only reason I wouldnt want to put more voltage than 1.5 is because then you may cause problems.

1. The plug may burn too hot and become damaged
2. If you are tuning based on 2 volts of power from the plug you may be tuned incorrectly (possibly too rich and will see it when you hit the breaks!)

Just a thought.....