Nick Somerville Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Very helpful Frank. So in summary are you advocating that the Cyclone connected in parallel to the plugs is an ideal solution, or will the plugs be a bit hot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Hilton Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 In my experience 2 volts is too much for most glow plugs but OS F types are fine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted November 4, 2021 Author Share Posted November 4, 2021 (edited) I think Alan maybe right, the OS F types have a more robust element, but a 2v cyclone driving 2 regular plugs in parallel mode may well shorten their life. This is for my Vega 50 side valve twin and as the OS F type has an extended "nose" I don't think they can be used with the Vega, certainly the plugs that I had in it from eons ago were not OS F type. Edited November 4, 2021 by Frank Skilbeck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Somerville Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 I really do not know how to calculate resistance for voltage drop, but I would have thought that by the time the electricity passes through a pair of engine crankcases there should be a drop from the 2v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Not much voltage across the engine. Aluminium (and copper, the plug washer) are both particularly good conductors. Start with a nice long lead between battery and plugs. It's an old dodge but a good one. You can always shorten the lead until you get a good glow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 Nick, not going to go through all that lot above but if you are thinking of powering the plugs in your 360V with a 2V lead acid then the best of luck. Two plugs in parallel may well drop the voltage just enough to prevent both of them blowing! If interested, I have a couple of South Herts twin glow drivers which operate from 1.2V each side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted November 7, 2021 Share Posted November 7, 2021 Why all the suggestions for Cyclone cells ! You can now get NiMh D cells with higher capacity ,lighter with no danger of blowing your plugs,easy to charge and easily available. Get the pre charged type , they seem better under higher loads and don't self discharge like standard nimhs. Also make sure you buy a proper "D" cell as some are actually "c" cells in a "D" cell case. Two decent "c" cells in parralel will have more than power and still be lighter than a Cyclone lead acid. OK Cyclone cells are fine IF you need 2 volts ? But you only need 1.2volt and in some case1.5volt to get a decent glow. Don't forget the plug doesnt have to glow like a light bulb ! A dull orange will be fine and plugs will last for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted November 7, 2021 Share Posted November 7, 2021 I buy Tamiya type 7.4v 'stick' for cars, you can pick up a 3000mah for around 25€ then take one element off for the glow and use the other five ( 6 volts )for the radio,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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