What glow plug?
 

Haven't been around in awhile because I sort of lost interest in flying R/C but my interest is back now! I got it out and started it charging tonight. I need to get a new glow plug for it. I have the NexStar Select with the OS .46. What glow plug is supposed to be in it? I remember replacing it once, but I remember that the one I put in it was not the same as the original. Which do I need? Thanks.

RE: What glow plug?
 

It's lilke a spark plug on a car engine.. only it glows rather than sparks.. there is more to it, but that's the very basic of it.

All "glow" or "nitro" engines have a glow plug. You connect a battery to it and it glows.. you start the engine, and, because of the chemestry of the plug, it stays "hot" and continues to glow to keep the engine running when you remove the battery.

For that engine, an OS8 or OSF plug would work just fine.

CGr.

RE: What glow plug?
 

Okay, thanks. I can't remember which one I put in it last time. It worked fine but I want to put the original one back in it. I need to remove the engine and clean it up a bit too. It still runs fine. I started it up and ran it a bit a few days ago. That's the first time it's been run in over a year. I guess it didn't hurt it too much sitting up.

RE: What glow plug?
 

The plug needs to match the needs of your setup. High nitro(over 15% ) should have a somewhat colder plug and less nitro a hotter one. But that isnt the whole picture, it depends on your engines compression ratio, prop load, etc. Iwould start with a Merlin 2002 and if the idle mixture wants to load up despite proper tuning step up to a hotter plug like the Merlin 2003.

RE: What glow plug?
 

Hello YelloHawk,

I have an OS .46LA on my Kadet senior. I use an [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCB27&P=ML]OS #8[/link] with 10%Nitro. Works well.

~Noah

RE: What glow plug?
 

I think I misunderstood your question, YellowHawk. I thought you were asking what a glow plug was.. duh.. my mistake.

But, I still feel an OS8 or and OSF would be a good bet to try. That's all I have in my flight box and I've not had problem-one.

CGr.

RE: What glow plug?
 

OS 46 takes anything from a #6 to #8 or a F-type plug from OS.

depending on mixture settings and fuel you're running any of the above will work.
The higher the methanol content, the hotter the plug needs to be to fire the methanol. The higher the nitro content, the colder the plug needs to be
 But the methanol content drives the plug selection.

RE: What glow plug?
 

Okay. I think the original was an OS #8. Right now I am running 10% fuel. I was running Cool Power 15% and plan to go back to that when I buy fuel again. I need to order a new glow plug so I wanted to make sure which to use....next question and probably a dumb one. If I put my glow starter on the plug with it removed from the engine, should it heat up and glow constantly? I started my plane this evening but when I tried to start it the next couple of times it wouldn't. I pulled the plug and connected it and it glowed for a split second and stopped. It did that a few times. I got it started again but had the same problem after that run. I think my battery powered Tower glow starter may be acting up. May be time to order a new one. Speaking of that, is there a better choice for the glow starter or is one basically as good as the other?

RE: What glow plug?
 

Hi!
OS 8 or Enya 3...those are "the old stand by" plugs that are good in all sport engines and for fuel containing 0-15% nitro!
I recommend using 5-10% nitro ,not 15%, in that engine. 15% nitro is just overkill as the engine works just as good on 5% nitro.

RE: What glow plug?
 

The element in the glow plug should stay lit while the glow driver is attached, if not Iwould suspect a problem with the glow driver.