broon Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 After having a nightmare with rechargeable glow igniters. I was wondering if I could use something like this https://www.amazon.com/Goolsky-Electronic-Igniter-Alligator-Powered/dp/B01HRBNQSW Then add a Tamiya style plug instead of the alligator clips and connect it to a 7.2V NiMH battery from my easy starter. Presumably it will last ages in comparison? Or is there a reason everyone isn't already doing this? Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitroholic Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 In short.....yes. The problem with that unit, and in fact, with quite a few similar solutions is the voltage. Your normal glow plug igniter system is running at 1.5V ( well...1.2-1.5V) and not at 7.2V...or even 12V. Running your glowplugs at 6-8 times the intended voltage may well make them glow nicely to start with, but they are not going to last long. If you can step the voltage down to where it should be, then fine, but that is something you would have to sort for yourself. I have a couple of modified glow plug igniters. One uses an easy to swap out rechargable AA pack with a bundle of AA rechargables on hand. The other uses a pair of D cells in a holder ( in parallel....to maintain the correct voltage) That has a simple connector for the glowplug, and it plugs into the battery pack to energise it. There are various ways to do this to improve on whats out there, or....in my case...to take old ignitors with dead packs and make them usable again, either by making replaceable battery packs or by modifying them to make swappable rechargable cells. No reason not to use a 7.2V power supply...if you step it down to 1.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broon Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Sorry, I should have said, the reason I selected that one is because it looks like it has the step down module built in if you scroll through the images. So effectively saving me the hassle of putting a stepper in and I'd just need banana plugs or a Tamiya plug... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locky Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Ages ago I looked at the type you linked but read they were unreliable. So went for this and works fine with 7.2V pack....https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3A-DC-DC-STEP-DOWN-BUCK-CONVERTER-8-22V-TO-1-15V-eg-12V-9V-6V-5V-3-3V-1-5V-/181881567690 There is a pot underneath to adjust output voltage. You juts have to be careful with the cable not getting wrapped around anything that moves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitroholic Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 If it's got a stepper in it... then it should work...but I would check the output voltage. The unit Locky linked to looks like a better way to convert the voltage, but you would need to build up the thing yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broon Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Cheers, looks like there's loads of steppers on eBay, some have digital output displays, so one of those should do the trick. At least I can check it once with a multimeter and then just keep it in a little hard case with the battery. Guess 1.5V and 2-3A should be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babylon Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 (edited) I put one of These in my starter box. Also have a couple with the display, Both work great for about 4 quid. Now glow plug just plugs into the front. Edited April 16, 2021 by babylon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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