Q on battery/reg/glow

[sargan]

Interlinked Q from a Newbie - just about to build first heli (50 nitro)

I need some help in understanding how an Allign 2-in-1 regulator works ... specifically the 'Auto-Glow'
How does this work ... presumably it applies Glow current for a set period (10sec ?) .. what initiates this, is it a manual push of a button as with other Glowstart options ?

Is the Allign 2-in-1 regulator, considered to be a better direction than a separate 'PushGlo' SwitchGlow' or similar.

Haven't bought any battery or regulator yet – just trying to understand the options.

[moonmanflyer]

What you have written is basically how it works.
From the reg it has a red wire with a croc clip on the end that attaches to the glow plug, and then on the seperate switch unit is a button to push and it will glow for about 20 seconds i think, 2 lights on the unit indicate the glow is active

[sargan]

What you have written is basically how it works.
From the reg it has a red wire with a croc clip on the end that attaches to the glow plug, and then on the seperate switch unit is a button to push and it will glow for about 20 seconds i think, 2 lights on the unit indicate the glow is active

I can understand that glow plug, acts like a spark plug, once engine is started, glow current is off ....what keeps the 2 stroke cycle firing?

Does the glow-coil get hot enough to keep firing each successive cycle?

How long do these glow plugs last? See them sold in bulk so I assume they don't last long.

[moonmanflyer]

I can understand that glow plug, acts like a spark plug, once engine is started, glow current is off ....what keeps the 2 stroke cycle firing?

Does the glow-coil get hot enough to keep firing each successive cycle?

How long do these glow plugs last? See them sold in bulk so I assume they don't last long.

Basially acts the same as a diesel, so the heat from the engine keeps it running and the glow hot

[Mslater]

My glow plugs last for about 3months (something like 60 flights)

[Mark_T]

How long do these glow plugs last? See them sold in bulk so I assume they don't last long.

No straight answer to that one, but as a guide, keep a couple of spares in your field box and you'll normally be safe.

If they start failing often then look for a problem elsewhere as in normal use with a properly tuned engine they should last quite a while.

[del19_82]

I tend to change my Plugs every gallon. Tbh this is probably overkill but I dont like the idea of a plug failing in flight . I dont just bin the used plugs though, i put them in my rc buggy

[sargan]

Getting a bit side tracked..but all helping with my understanding .

What decides what Glow Plugs to use? Sites list several types..OS 5, OS 8 etc.

[Dedcalm]

The following link to OS might help,

O.S. Glow Plugs

I have always used OS 8's in my OS engines and Enya 3's in my non OS plank engines. However recently (ish) the OS 7 was introduced and some prefer this over the 8 as its a slightly hotter plug.

How to choose the right plug; O.S. Glow Plugs

[moonmanflyer]

Don't worry about the glow failing in flight, will still run, i just change them when they blow.
Sometimes they last months other times a ouple of tanks, i find in winter they blow more often

[J-S-Q]

Don't worry about the glow failing in flight, will still run, i just change them when they blow.
Sometimes they last months other times a ouple of tanks, i find in winter they blow more often

Are you saying it will still run for the rest of the flight but then it just won't fire up when you next start it? That's good to know (I've never had one fail in flight as I just change them every few months or so).

[moonmanflyer]

Are you saying it will still run for the rest of the flight but then it just won't fire up when you next start it? That's good to know (I've never had one fail in flight as I just change them every few months or so).

Yes, even with the glow wire broken it will still glow with the heat, just won't have the electrical connetion to re-start
The first thing you will know about it is when it won't start the next time, i always keep a couple of spares with me to change at the field

[moyesboy]

The align reg has two lights which come on when you press the glow. If the plug is good both lights come on. Depending on what the lights do, the plug is indicated as open circuit or shorted out.
The most common issue is the croc clip fell off the plug.

Also the align reg gives a series of lights which go oiut as the battery gets low.

On the down side some people have had failures, especially with fuel getting into the on/off switch unit - but most poeple seem to like them. At a fly-in you will see a lot of helis (perhaps most of the helis) flying with them.

I like mine!

The glow plug has a little fire going on around it while the engine is running. Eventually the plating on the wire corrodes and it stops working as its this that keeps the fire going becuase its a catalyst. so the plug can stop working eventually but still glow when powered by the electricity. However most plugs fail mechanically before that happens.

[J-S-Q]

I reckon the 2-in-1 is a great product. In my experience, the only thing to watch out for is that the rainbow coloured wire going to the switch box is quite fragile so be careful how you mount it, keep it well away from any sharp frame edges etc. and check it for wear/damage once in a while. I've put some protective sleeving over the cable but it's a bit fiddly because you have to disconnect the switch box to get the sleeving on.

[sargan]

So a '2-in-1' would seem the way to go, I asked as on some other forums they extol the 'PushGlo' and 'SwitchGlo' ... and controlling Glow cycle from the TX.
Sounds like the '2-in-1' , is a simpler way to achieve the same?


On the actual 'Glow plug' ......... do I assume that for spares I should just be getting the same as fitted to the RL-53 engine .... in my case it is stated as R3 ? ........ or is there an OS equivalent if OS plugs are what are typically stocked.