I have 2 rechargeable glow plug starters,(2 years old) and they only work for 5 start ups. If I have any engine problems, they run down to fast.
What can be done to change this frustration.

You could get new batteries or replace it .

With
a AA battery holder a momentary switch and
a bullet connector that fits on your glow plug tight.


Bob

If they have replaceable nicads, open them up and be sure no "crud" or corrosion has gotten inside. We had one that seemed to run down very fast so we picked up a new battery for it. We should have looked inside first because we found "crud" inside. After a good cleanup it worked fine with the original battery.

I bought one from Radio South that has a series of LED's and internal re-chargeable batteries. It lasts all day.

http://www.radiosouthrc.com/pro_driver_mkii.htm

CGr.

Just getting an new one and keeping it on the charger, perhaps with a timer to just hit it 1-2 hrs per day for a maintenance charge, should solve your problem. If you want some alternatives to rechargeable NiMH/NiCd glow chargers, here are a couple of options:
[ul][*] Alkaline powered glow starters: [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJUJ6&P=ML]AA cell[/link] , [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUM80&P=7]C cell[/link] , [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUM81&P=7]D Cell[/link][*] [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFKZ1&P=ML]Power panel with glow starter[/link] (assuming you use a 12V SLA batt for starting)
[/ul]

I primarily use my NiCd glow starter (3-4 years old now), but I also have a Tower AA cell alkaline starter, and I have the power panel starter as backups.

I have the charger for my NiCd starter on a timer. After I use it all day at the field, I put it on the charger at home, and I rotate the timer dial just past the on/off cycle (which turns it off), and then turn the switch on manually. That gives me about a 24hr initial charge, then the timer turns it on for just an hour every day after that.

The one I have, make unknown, it's blue with a gauge, lasted me for years before it required a new battery. After a 24 hour charge on the wall wart it requires a charge every couple of months. If the charge is going down after a few uses then it sounds like a new battery is in order.

I bought one from a local hobby shop and it wouldn't hold a charge very well. Probably sat in the shop for 10 or 15 years!

So I ordered one on line from that place in Champaign Illinois and it holds a great charge.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD702&P=7

big dan

I think most guys tend to overcharge thier glow starters. I used to charge mine overnight before each day I flew. I used the wall wart that came with the charger, which had a charge rate of about 0.2 C. I think this may have lead to the battery going bad after 2 years.

Now I charge using a lower rate and I charge less often. So far the battery is holding up, but it's only been about 3 years.

Iuse a standar C ni-cd battery in my dubro. i've had it for 4 years now. I charge it once a week, or depending on how much i fly.

!!!!!!!!!!!!! always carry one to hook into the panel incase your wireless one fails.