Glow Plug (model Engine) - Considerations When Using Glow Plugs

Considerations When Using Glow Plugs

• Depending on engine type, usage of a turbo plug may be required. For turbo engines use turbo plugs. Never install a turbo plug in a standard engine or vice versa.
• Big engines have more mass and retain heat better. Smaller, lighter engines don't, and need the help a hotter plug can offer.
• The "right" plug for an engine can change with the temperature. The hotter the day, the colder the plug.
• Hot plugs promote better idling and acceleration. If an engine runs rough or accelerates sluggishly, a hotter plug will help.
• Cold plugs produce more power and may improve performance if an engine runs hot. The downside is rougher idling and more difficulty in tuning.
• For cars: If the track/course has a lot of twists and turns, a hot plug is fine. If the track/course has long straights where you'll reach maximum rpm, a colder plug is best.
• Over-leaning an engine can harm it, by raising operating temperatures; "burning up" a plug inside its product lifetime.
• Higher nitro means hotter fuel: needs colder plugs, and vice versa.
• If the engine sags when the battery is disconnected, the plug is too cold or more nitro is needed (or the plug is at the end of its life), and if the engine bites back or backfires when hand cranking, the plug is too hot or less nitro is needed.
• Glow plugs get very hot, enough to glow the filament red or white hot, and removing a glow plug while power is applied can cause burning if appropriate care is not taken. Special caution must be taken while near fuel sources.
• Some connectors for glow plugs can short-circuit and damage batteries, or cause them to explode. Batteries may get hot during the use of a glow plug. This especially applies to home-made or nonstandard connectors.
• Glow plugs have a limited lifespan. Always keep three or four of them on hand.
• Glow Plugs do not need to be very tight. Just seat them, then another 1/4 turn.