I need to pick up a plug ignitor and was wondering what your recommendations might be. Tower has various brands and prices, so which is the best for the money? Thanks.

I've used a bunch of different types, and they all seem to get the job done, so you might just go for the cheapest.

The only suggestion I'd make is that assuming you go for a rechargable, you also buy a cheap replaceable battery type, like [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUM81&P=7]this one[/link], in case you run out of juice at the field.

I got the http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXXB72&P=0, C-cell type of Mike recommended with spacer so you can put alakaline battery but I never need to change to alakaline that the charge seems to last forever as long as you don't have engine problems.

I too say go with the cheapest. I put it to the charger at field, through the power panel for 15 minutes and don't charge it at home. The last time I charged at home was probably a month ago.

After using the old style clip on and having a couple go through the prop I switched to the twist lock. Haven't had any go through the prop or fall off. The type with the meter will also help you check your glow plug without taking it out of the engine. They do cost more but they last forever. Most types come with a charger but only need charging after much use. If you have the meter it will tell you when. I agree with the cost factor. Cheap is just as good.

Fwiw, I have a tower brand push-and-twist with meter one. The meter broke, but it does still work.

I managed to launch my plane with it still attached once, and it stayed on the entire flight. And it wasn't a mild circuit around the field either, it stayed on for a full 5 min combat round.

I bought a second one as a backup, this time with out the meter. I also cut the charger lead and put banana plugs on it, so I can charge it from my field charger or the wall wart, depending on what I want to do.

However, I will say that the push and twist type don't work on all glow plugs. Apparently the size of the top of the plug (the nut-shaped part) can make a big difference. The other type work with just about all brands of plugs, but I don't think they hold as well on any of them.

I strongly agree with Mont, all push n twist do not work well with all plugs. I have a Hanger 9 Mighty Midget (push n twist) and it can not and will not stay on a OS type F. The times I have used on it there, it would get stuck and I would have to be fighting it while a 14x6 prop is flying by hand. I've since purchased a dubro that has that spring loaded locking mechanism.

Good luck.

If you have type of glow plug that the push and twist ignitor will hold onto, Tower has several. I believe the Hot Shot II is the most inexpensive and its rechargeable.

What about the ones that twist-lock on to the engine and are plugged into the power panel? I know you may say that the wires get in the way which they might, but, they are cheaper and if you use certain power panel can be more versatile.

Just remember, a glow plug draws about 3 amperes from a newly charged battery. This will give you at most 30 minutes connect time on a 1200 mah battery. Even then, near the end of charge, the battery will be weak and you may have starting problems at that point.