Calling all Macgyvers!    Gallery
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
    Search This Thread  
 
Printable Version

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Scale Aircraft >> Calling all Macgyvers!
Page: [1]

Tower Hobbies Get Coupon Codes Brands  
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 1:04 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 13839
Score: 1576
Joined: 2/13/2004
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		So, how can I make a glow starter with easily available parts? I need one NOW but will have to wait a week or more for the one I special ordered from Osaka to arrive. So isn't there some way to rig one up? I mean, if I can charge an iPod with an onion and a quart of gatorade, it MUST be possible to make a simple glow starter.

I do have one of those glow starter adapters that you attach to the power source (with aligator clips). I learned a lesson the other day when I ignorantly attach this directly to the 12V battery I use with the starter moter. This, of course, immediately burned out the filament in the glow plug. I was informed that the glow plug is 1.5V. Anyway, today (another great day of flying weather that I ended up missing out on) I tried patching in a simple 1.5V alkaline battery to heat the element. No go.

So what's the secret?

< Message edited by abufletcher -- 3/21/2008 2:21 PM >

Hide Signatures
       Post #: 1

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 2:49 PM   
Jacque


 

Posts: 309
Score: 100
Joined: 3/13/2002
Last Login: 5/24/2013
From: StuartFlorida, USA
Status: offline 		Here in the states ,at the hardware store, they carry dry cell batterys made for latterns. they are 1 1/2 or 3 volts? which will work. good luck.,,,,,,Jacque

Hide Signatures

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 2

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 2:57 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 13839
Score: 1576
Joined: 2/13/2004
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		I'm not sure I can get those "lantern" batteries in Japan but I know what you mean. Can someone explain why this might work and not a 1.5V C cell? As you can tell I'm completely ignorant and basic electronics.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Jacque)
       Post #: 3

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 3:46 PM   
Jacque


 

Posts: 309
Score: 100
Joined: 3/13/2002
Last Login: 5/24/2013
From: StuartFlorida, USA
Status: offline 		I don't know why your c cell did not work . I have used a single cell nicad c size and it works fine .

Hide Signatures

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 4

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 4:17 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 13839
Score: 1576
Joined: 2/13/2004
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jacque

I don't know why your c cell did not work . I have used a single cell nicad c size and it works fine .


After a frustrating drive to the field only to discover that the solution I thought I had (using the old "power panel" from an old field box) didn't work, I made a quick dash to a nearby hardware store and bought a couple C batteries and some duct tape. That seemed MacGyverish. I then tore the wire connectors off the non-functional power panel and striped the ends and taped them to the battery ends. That gave me a C-cell with wires terminating in small aligator clips. Next, just to test, I scavenged the voltage display off the power panel and it reacted strongly when the aligator clips were attached. So I figured I had some juice flowing.

But when I clipped this setup onto my glow plug adapter (the one with the wires), I got nothing.

Question: Could I have fried my glow plug adapter (the "pre-built-in battery type with clips) by attaching it directly to the 12V battery?

BTW, I found this handy version on Tower:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVY89&P=7

It might be nice to have one of those sitting around just in case.


Hide Signatures

(in reply to Jacque)
       Post #: 5

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 4:20 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 13839
Score: 1576
Joined: 2/13/2004
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline 		I've got something like this:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVJ49&P=7

Hide Signatures

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 6

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 5:31 PM   
TomCrump



Posts: 3925
Score: 116
Joined: 4/7/2003
Last Login: 5/24/2013
From: Traverse City, MI, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: abufletcher

I've got something like this:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVJ49&P=7



That's what I use for an igniter. It's soldered to the nicad.

_____________________________

Tom C

Hide Signatures

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 7

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 5:38 PM   
Jacque


 

Posts: 309
Score: 100
Joined: 3/13/2002
Last Login: 5/24/2013
From: StuartFlorida, USA
Status: offline 		You might have burned one of the wires off with the 12 v. If you have anouther set of aligator clips, use an old plug one that will still light, and connect ground on battery to body of plug, and connect positive on battery to tip of plug see if it lights . years ago that is all we had was gator clips on both the battery and the glow plug. hope this might help.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to abufletcher)
       Post #: 8

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 5:55 PM   
FlyerInOKC



Posts: 1199
Score: 116
Joined: 11/17/2004
Last Login: 5/24/2013
From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Remember glowplugs are only 1.5 volts anything higher will burn up the glowplug!

_____________________________

My workbench where you always find the weird and unusual! Sig Kadet Brotherhood #89 Ryan STA/STM/SC Brotherhood # 27

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Jacque)
       Post #: 9

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 6:39 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 13839
Score: 1576
Joined: 2/13/2004
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: FlyerInOKC

Remember glowplugs are only 1.5 volts anything higher will burn up the glowplug!


So I discovered!

Hide Signatures

(in reply to FlyerInOKC)
       Post #: 10

RE: Calling all Macgyvers! - 3/21/2008 6:55 PM   
abufletcher



Posts: 13839
Score: 1576
Joined: 2/13/2004
Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Zentsuji, JAPAN
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jacque

You might have burned one of the wires off with the 12 v. If you have anouther set of aligator clips, use an old plug one that will still light, and connect ground on battery to body of plug, and connect positive on battery to tip of plug see if it lights . years ago that is all we had was gator clips on both the battery and the glow plug. hope this might help.


Wahoo! Checked the "brand new" plug with a magnifier and, yep, one small section was burned through. Luckily I had one more, so I used that to test like you said and it lit right up! Then I clipped the battery onto my glow plug clip and Voila!

Thanks guys! Now if the weather just holds til tomorrow!



Hide Signatures

(in reply to Jacque)
       Post #: 11

Page:   [1]
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Scale Aircraft >> Calling all Macgyvers!
Page: [1]





Jump to:


 
Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

RC Universe is a service of Internet Brands, Inc. Copyright © 2001-2013.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America


0.766RCU1