rubber side up
04-21-2006, 05:30 AM
Ok, i borrowed this from a mate, im sure he wont mind
ALL ABOUT GLOW PLUGS
How Does A Glow Plug Work?
The plug is initially heated by applying a voltage (typically 1.5 volts) to it. This is to cause it to glow so as to ignite the fuel at compression and start the internal combustion cycle.
Once the cycle has started, the power source can be disconnected, as with the heat generated at combustion the CATALYTIC Reaction generated between the methanol and platinum in the plug coils becomes sufficient to keep the process going. The catalytic reaction is a reaction whereby the platinum coil will glow in the presence of methyl alcohol vapour. This will happen without any external power source being applied.
Every model car engine needs a glowplug for the ignition. Depending on things like the percentage of nitro used in the fuel, the outside temperature and the humidity you might need to select the right glowplug.
Glowplug heat range
Glowplugs are numbered 4, 5, 6, 7 or labeled with names like HOT, MEDIUM or COLD.
As every manufacturer uses different names or signs for their glowplugs, you can not say that a no. 6 from brand A is the same as no. 6 from brand B.
The thickness of the glow wire will make the difference between a HOT, MEDIUM or COLD.
It would be nice if all manufacturers are giving the wire thickness as a reference number. Like a no.6 = 0.6 m/m thick a no7. = 0.7 thick etc.
For engines with a nitro percentage below 10% a HOT plug will do OK when the outside temp is 15/20 degrees Celsius.
For engines with a nitro percentage between 10 and 25% a MEDIUM or COLD plug will do OK when the outside temp is 15/20 degrees Celsius.
For engines with a nitro percentage above 25% (for fools only) a COLD plug will do OK when the outside temp is 15/20 degrees Celsius.
A hotter plug with a thinner glow wire is less durable with high nitro percentages then the colder plug with a thicker glow wire.
A hotter plug will give better idling and bottom power
A colder plug will give better top speed and durability.
http://217.72.180.180/%7Egotnitro/Pics/Board_Guides/plugchart1.jpg
http://217.72.180.180/%7Egotnitro/Pics/Board_Guides/plugchart2.jpg
Model Technics Plugs
MaxFlash M3 Cold 33
MaxFlash M4 Cool 42
MaxFlash M5 Medium 51
MaxFlash M6 Warm 60
MaxFlash M7 Hot 69
MaxFlash M8 Extra Hot 78
FirePower F2 Extra Cold 27
FirePower F3 Cold 36
FirePower F4 Cool 45
FirePower F5 Medium 54
FirePower F6 Warm 63
FirePower F7 Hot 72
QwikFire Warm 62
Glowplug Life
Particularly in the case of very high performance engines, glowplugs have to be regarded as consumable items. However, plug life can be lengthened and performance maintained as follows.
1) Fit a plug suitable for the engine.
2) Use fuel containing a moderate percentage of nitromethane unless essential for contest use.
3) Do not run the engine lean, or leave the plug connected while adjusting the needle valve.
4)Use fuel containing as low nitro as possible.
When To Replace A Glowplug
1) Apart from when actually burned out, a plug may need to be replaced because it no longer delivers its best performance, such as when:
Filament coil has become distorted.
2) Filament surface has roughened/turned white.
3) Foreign matter had adhered to filament or plug body has corroded.
4) Engine tends to cut out when idling.
5) Starting qualities deteriorate.
Plug Condition
The term "reading a plug" is commonly heard in the pits, but how is this done? In addition to the conditions that have been previously mentioned, the plug should be visually inspected for color.
If the plug body (the part surrounding the element) is wet and the element is shiny, and in its original location, then change to a "colder plug" (assuming that your engine temperature is on the cool side).
If the plug body is dry, and the element is shiny, the plug is correct for the conditions.
If the plug body is dry, and the element is a dull gray, the engine is running too lean - change to a "hotter plug" to correct the condition.
While most of this may sound like it is a lot to remember, it is important to realize that getting the most performance out of your engine takes a little patience and thought. But with a little practice and maybe a little "cheat sheet" it can become second nature to 'know your glow-plug'.
http://217.72.180.180/%7Egotnitro/Pics/Board_Guides/plugchart3.jpg
:lol: 8) 8)
ALL ABOUT GLOW PLUGS
How Does A Glow Plug Work?
The plug is initially heated by applying a voltage (typically 1.5 volts) to it. This is to cause it to glow so as to ignite the fuel at compression and start the internal combustion cycle.
Once the cycle has started, the power source can be disconnected, as with the heat generated at combustion the CATALYTIC Reaction generated between the methanol and platinum in the plug coils becomes sufficient to keep the process going. The catalytic reaction is a reaction whereby the platinum coil will glow in the presence of methyl alcohol vapour. This will happen without any external power source being applied.
Every model car engine needs a glowplug for the ignition. Depending on things like the percentage of nitro used in the fuel, the outside temperature and the humidity you might need to select the right glowplug.
Glowplug heat range
Glowplugs are numbered 4, 5, 6, 7 or labeled with names like HOT, MEDIUM or COLD.
As every manufacturer uses different names or signs for their glowplugs, you can not say that a no. 6 from brand A is the same as no. 6 from brand B.
The thickness of the glow wire will make the difference between a HOT, MEDIUM or COLD.
It would be nice if all manufacturers are giving the wire thickness as a reference number. Like a no.6 = 0.6 m/m thick a no7. = 0.7 thick etc.
For engines with a nitro percentage below 10% a HOT plug will do OK when the outside temp is 15/20 degrees Celsius.
For engines with a nitro percentage between 10 and 25% a MEDIUM or COLD plug will do OK when the outside temp is 15/20 degrees Celsius.
For engines with a nitro percentage above 25% (for fools only) a COLD plug will do OK when the outside temp is 15/20 degrees Celsius.
A hotter plug with a thinner glow wire is less durable with high nitro percentages then the colder plug with a thicker glow wire.
A hotter plug will give better idling and bottom power
A colder plug will give better top speed and durability.
http://217.72.180.180/%7Egotnitro/Pics/Board_Guides/plugchart1.jpg
http://217.72.180.180/%7Egotnitro/Pics/Board_Guides/plugchart2.jpg
Model Technics Plugs
MaxFlash M3 Cold 33
MaxFlash M4 Cool 42
MaxFlash M5 Medium 51
MaxFlash M6 Warm 60
MaxFlash M7 Hot 69
MaxFlash M8 Extra Hot 78
FirePower F2 Extra Cold 27
FirePower F3 Cold 36
FirePower F4 Cool 45
FirePower F5 Medium 54
FirePower F6 Warm 63
FirePower F7 Hot 72
QwikFire Warm 62
Glowplug Life
Particularly in the case of very high performance engines, glowplugs have to be regarded as consumable items. However, plug life can be lengthened and performance maintained as follows.
1) Fit a plug suitable for the engine.
2) Use fuel containing a moderate percentage of nitromethane unless essential for contest use.
3) Do not run the engine lean, or leave the plug connected while adjusting the needle valve.
4)Use fuel containing as low nitro as possible.
When To Replace A Glowplug
1) Apart from when actually burned out, a plug may need to be replaced because it no longer delivers its best performance, such as when:
Filament coil has become distorted.
2) Filament surface has roughened/turned white.
3) Foreign matter had adhered to filament or plug body has corroded.
4) Engine tends to cut out when idling.
5) Starting qualities deteriorate.
Plug Condition
The term "reading a plug" is commonly heard in the pits, but how is this done? In addition to the conditions that have been previously mentioned, the plug should be visually inspected for color.
If the plug body (the part surrounding the element) is wet and the element is shiny, and in its original location, then change to a "colder plug" (assuming that your engine temperature is on the cool side).
If the plug body is dry, and the element is shiny, the plug is correct for the conditions.
If the plug body is dry, and the element is a dull gray, the engine is running too lean - change to a "hotter plug" to correct the condition.
While most of this may sound like it is a lot to remember, it is important to realize that getting the most performance out of your engine takes a little patience and thought. But with a little practice and maybe a little "cheat sheet" it can become second nature to 'know your glow-plug'.
http://217.72.180.180/%7Egotnitro/Pics/Board_Guides/plugchart3.jpg
:lol: 8) 8)