ORIGINAL: JohnBuckner
The vast majority of the chargers that come with single cell ignitors are not peak detecting chargers and the red light does not go out when full. Most of the cell used in them are nicd of around 1200 to 1400 mahs and when new the normal procedure is to charge for about 14 to 16 hours and all uses after are usually done like Red mentioned for about eight hours or overnight.
I do prefer the single cell ignitors for normal uses with some exceptions. Like Red I use a glow plug to test the ignitors before going out but I keep it hanging near the charger in an old cylinder head and this avoids the burnt fingers syndrome.
I do Charge between every days use and normally charge every time the night before going out even if it has been several days with no uses.
By the way if you ignitor becomes pretty warm to the touch then it should be removed from the charger.
My preferance is the the competely sealed and non replaceable type. Many of the replaceable types with an aluminum case frequently suffer a continuity problem of the ground line through the threads and require constant cleaning of the threads. These are indeed less reliable than the sealed type that you simply toss out when the cell goes bad.
John
Thanks John, I have never noticed one that is sealed. I just shorted mine out a couple weeks ago in my pocket!! Car Keys and an Ignitor don't mix. It had a brand new battery too. It still works but doesn't seem to hold it's charge all that long. I probably cooked it, sure cooked my pants pocket!! My wall charger light never goes off as long as it's plugged in. My field charger will charge them up very well but it has no light at all for the igniter. New batteries for the ignitors at my LHS are only $5.00 but I buy the bigger 2400 at battery's Plus. The end of mine requires tightening every once in a while and now the end doesn't lock onto the glow plug very well. I will look for a sealed one like John mentioned.