Glow Plug control Units - Any thoughts?

[robertwo]

Was wondering if anyone has ever used one of these units and if so what are the benifits fo them?

http://www.webra-austria.at/electron...EC&lang=EN#egl

[Sesame]

I started a heli the other day with something similar. the heli had a lipo setup on it.

it was Goto10's, the obvious advantage is you dont have to find a working glow stick. but steve can probably tell you more

[robgt]

That could have been an Align 2 in 1 regulator?
I use these on my 50s and they work very well!

Cheers,
Rob

[Sesame]

wots the advantage of using a lipo over yer regular nimh sub-c

[robertwo]

Ok, maybe someone could explain what exactly these do...

I'm assuming they monitor the engine and glow plug and use power from the onboad battery to heat the plug if needed, hence achieving a better burn of the fuel?

Correct me if I'm wrong, just never seen one of these before and wondered what they do and if they add any real benifit apart from not needing a glow stick...

[robgt]

The advantage of using a LiPo and regulator is that you are supplying a constant (regulated) power supply to your helicopters electronics. Servos operate exactly the same at the end of a flight as they did at the start due to no voltage loss.

The 2 in 1 regulator has a glow plug clip which clips on to the glow plug and uses a remote button to ignite it when starting. Having switched on the heli and checked all is ok before getting ready to start it up, you then press the button on the "control panel". This sends 1.5 volts (or near as dammit) to the glow plug, igniting it so you can start the engine. The glow is lit for 15 second bursts. If you don't manage to start the engine in that time, press the button again for another 15 second burst.

The glow is not ignited by the clip while flying.

I'm not sure how the webra unit works, but I would guess the starting system is principally the same. If it does something throughout the flight, I'm not sure what that might be?

Cheers,
Rob

[robertwo]

For anyone that wants a read here's the link to the instructions... someone might be able to work out what it's all about...

http://www.webra-austria.at/download/en/20430.pdf

[robgt]

It appears to be a glow driver (like the 2 in 1), plus voltage spy (like the 2 in 1) and receiver glitch monitor all in one unit.
No good for use with LiPo setups though as it only handles lower voltages - unlike the 2 in 1 .

Cheers,
Rob

[SRH990]

The Webra unit uses a seperate battery to provide a supply to the glow plug. The unit is also connected to the receiver on a channel mixed with the throttle so when the throttle falls below a certain point it lights the glow plug up again, this ensures a more consistent idle and less chance of an engine flame-out. I had a Super Tigre 3000 engine some years ago that was an absolute bitch to keep running so I actually had a battery permanently connected to the glow, not as good as the Webra system but lots cheaper

[phil485]

Rob,

Are you on 35 mhz or 2.4 ???
Just skyline said there may be a problem with the 2 in 1

[robgt]

I'm using Spektrum DX7, so 2.4 ghz.
No problems with mine - they seem to work very well.
Cheers,
Rob

[Sesame]

with which, 35 or 2.4?

[robgt]

Mine work well on 2.4 ghz.

As far as I know, there is a possible issue with them on 35mhz? Not sure what - BobJ is the man to speak to on that...

I hope that covered the question - not sure

Cheers,
Rob