What are the best Glow plugs to use? [Archive]

thacherd

Feb 14, 2005, 11:52 AM

The title says it all, I am new to glow planes. I have been flying electric for over a year, and I decided to try glow this summer and joined the local club. I currently have invested in 3 different planes, a field box with the works, and several engines. My question, "Which glow plugs should I use?" I own 2 OS AX .46 engines, and and OS LA .40 engine. I guess I am looking for opinions on what brands to go with, etc. OS recomends their #A3 or the #8 OS Plugs for my engines. Towerhobbies sells a general Tower Glow Plug for less money. I'm sure there are a lot of choices out there. I just want to go with the best plugs for the best price.

Sidenote - What's the expected lifespan-duration of a glow plug? How long do they last?

pda4you

Feb 14, 2005, 11:56 AM

I really like the a3 and the K&B 1L. #8's work well but they are expensive.

Mike

thacherd

Feb 14, 2005, 12:00 PM

I really like the a3 and the K&B 1L. #8's work well but they are expensive.

Mike

I was thinking the same thing. #8's seem to be double in price over the #A3 and the Tower plugs. Is there any difference in performance that is noticable?

ivanc

Feb 14, 2005, 02:08 PM

I've used both #8 and Tower Hobbies' brand - they look exactly identical (except for the #8 on the side of the #8 plug) and work identical in the engines. I suspect that they are manufactured by the same company for both OS Engines and Tower. You always pay more for the brand but most times can find the same product for less $$$. I recently saw the Hobbico manual crank fuel pump sold for $14.99 - it's exactly the same as my Tower pump ($9.99) - the only difference is the plastic color (Hobbico is gray, Tower is black) and the labels.

pda4you

Feb 14, 2005, 02:18 PM

#8's are just about the best plug I have used. Last long and they work well, but I they were just too expensive. The a3 and K&B's last almost as long and work almost as well.

I don't think you will see much difference in any of them. I used to run only Fox plugs and liked them as well.

thacherd

Feb 14, 2005, 02:39 PM

Thanks. I'm guessing that If I went with the Cheaper Tower Glow plugs, that I will be okay. This hobby can get very expensive and I wanted to make sure that cutting corners with the glow plug wouldn't hurt anything. Thanks again.

Mendnwngs

Feb 14, 2005, 03:01 PM

thacherd

Feb 14, 2005, 03:04 PM

From what I understand, the OS plugs have a higher % of platinum in their coils.. Because of that, they ignite more reliably, and live longer..

Its a matter of preference.. Personally, with as often as I need to change plugs (Usually 1-2 times per year) Its worth it to just go and buy the OS #8s

-Jason

That was part 2 of my question? How long do glow plugs last?? Can you fly a whole season on 1 or 2 plugs, or do you blow through 30 of them in 4 months? If you need alot of them, I am going cheap, but if I bought 6 and they lasted all year in all my planes, that is another story!.

ivanc

Feb 14, 2005, 06:24 PM

In the beginning of summer 2004 I started with a #8 which burnt on the second day - maybe I had a lean run on my engine. I replaced it with a Tower one - just to see what is the difference if any. I couldn't find a difference so it's still in my engine :) - I'm flying with the plane at least an hour every month during this winter and I was flying min. 30 minutes every day during summer and fall.

Hasina75

Feb 14, 2005, 09:37 PM

My engine is the same as yours except the muffler. My AX has a Mac Pipe. OS A3 lasts about three months on mine. I usually burn 5 tanks every week-end. Make sure that the needle setting is not too lean so that your plug lasts longer.

mcflyboy

Feb 15, 2005, 02:46 PM

Do you guys get Enya plugs, I love their #3, perfect for a 40ish engine

thacherd

Feb 15, 2005, 05:10 PM

I just noticed my .46 AX came with a #A3 plug. So, I will use that for starters, and I ordered some Tower plugs to use in the future.
Never heard of Enya plugs before. Where do you get them?
Thanks for all the reply's. As a new glow flyer, it was a big ??? in my mind. I am willing to take any other suggestions that you may have, and use them in the future.

DaveSawers

Feb 15, 2005, 05:25 PM

thacherd

Feb 15, 2005, 05:27 PM

I ran an OS 8 in a racing OPS for two whole race seasons without having to change it.

I also like K&B1L's but they are not quite as robust.

In terms of performance, there is very little to choose between plugs. Find one you like and stick with it.

Thanks. Not often that I get a moderator to reply. Good advice! I should try a few different plugs out and stick with the one that makes me and my engines happiest. Good Advice! Thanks!

mcflyboy

Feb 15, 2005, 06:13 PM

Im on the other side of the atlantic, but if there's an Enya dealer anywhere near you they should be able to help. I use em in MDS( yes, I can make em work!!), OS, TT, Enya(almost 4got :rolleyes:), Irvine and even a couple of dodgy engines I got 2nd hand, and ALL of them run well.

just had a look, Tower Hobbies have them, but their a LOT more expensive for you guys. I pay £3.50-£4, Tower want $7.99

globemaster3c17

Feb 15, 2005, 09:28 PM

My tower .40 has ran through break in and a year of flying on the same plug, a tower economy plug with idle bar. I've only tried the tower plug in my TT .40 with no problems so far. My TT .46 ran for break in and a handful of flights on an O.S. A3. That plug burned out between shut down and the next start up attempt. The tower plug wouldn't work in it, made a bacon-frying sound at WOT. I put an O.S. #8 in it
and put most of a gallon of fuel through it so far, no problems. I bought several Sig tuned pipe plugs because they are only a little over $3 if I remember correctly from PaulsModelSupply.com and they are reported as being the problem solver for burning out plugs. But I have yet to try them out myself since I haven't had another plug burn out.

mcflyboy

Feb 16, 2005, 06:26 AM

I gave a friend a Rossi #5 for his TT46 and it ran great

Vanning

Feb 17, 2005, 03:45 PM

A club member came to my assistance when i couldnt get my OS 35 to run and idle well. He quietly produced a Fox RC Long with idle bar and installed it. Started first flip and idled at like a tractor.

ivanc

Feb 17, 2005, 04:52 PM

My Tower .40 (bought used) came with unknown glow plug with idle bar. I changed it with a used but relatively new Tower glow plug without an idle bar - the one they sell now. I had very hard time adjusting the high speed needle. I put back the "original" plug and I could adjust it - the engine is very sensitive to the high speed needle. After one troublefree flight I decided to try the "new" Tower plug - I didn't even have to change the needle setting and it still serves me perfectly well - 20 flights later.

valentrd

Mar 20, 2005, 10:36 PM

If anyone is interested, I came across this web site from a club in NC. A really good source of info-

They have this link about all you ever wanted to know about glow plugs ( types, brands, etc. ) very good point for reference.

http://209.15.36.61/rdrc/gloplugs.html

Viper Pilot

Mar 21, 2005, 10:13 AM

I use Fox plugs for all my glow planes!!

They are the tops, IMO.

Viper

austin.laws

Jan 29, 2009, 02:32 PM

hi guys i am about to order a SC 25 glow engine,i know its a cheap engine but thats all i need to go in my Hi-boy trainer. but wot i wanta know does anyone know wot plug should go in this engine. Looked on J Perkins site who sell this engine and there is no info on which one to use. if anyway knows please let me know asap. i was thinking O.S No. 8 too. thanks in advance.

Dad_Roman

Jan 29, 2009, 03:42 PM

That was part 2 of my question? How long do glow plugs last?? Can you fly a whole season on 1 or 2 plugs, or do you blow through 30 of them in 4 months? If you need alot of them, I am going cheap, but if I bought 6 and they lasted all year in all my planes, that is another story!.

I have some plugs that I have been runnin for 20 years. If you dont run your motor lean they will usually live a long and prosperous life. ;)

Austinlaws....yes, OS#8 should last forever.