Glow Plug Comparison

[@johnhess351]

100 years from now, people will still be watching Dave's Stuff videos as an enduring historical archive.

[@valkyriep]

David, sometime around 1996 to 2000, I did a very similar test using a Saito FA 80 GK and a Webra Speed 60. I remember using an Enya , OS-F, Fox Miracle, K&B, Supertigre, Glo Devil, McCoy MC-4C, Saito P-2, along with perhaps a few more. I used 5% fuel with 100% Klotz oil and the test was in the early fall, low humidity and temps in the low 70's. The big difference was that I tuned the high end and low end for each plug, realizing each plug may react differently for carb settings, atmospheric conditions, and 5% fuel. I remember taking great pains to pick a day where the temps and weather conditions were stable and I didn't have to break out my engineering books to adjust for differing atmospheric conditions. I wish I had the records I made but I've only had about 6 corporate moves since then. Regardless, what I clearly remember is that the plug that stood out over all of the others was the Saito P-2, hands down. The nearest plug to it was a McCoy MC-4c, then the OS-F. They were down about 250 RPM. The P-2 gave me the best throttle and the best transition from idle to full power. People can say anything on the internet but in 35+ years, I never had an engine sputter on me or quit in flight (other than running out of fuel), costing me an airplane, with the exception of one time. I wish I had bought more of the P-2s but I still have about 8 of them and they'll last me until I make my last flight. I appreciate your efforts and enjoyed the posting of your tests. Thank you!

[@TheRealWALLABI]

I'm using an OS Type F on my 2-stroke 46AX and I'm getting surprisingly good results. It fixed the peak power and transition problems that my engine was facing with high nitro fuel, and in the hot climate where I live.

[@dmrcflyr2]

Well if that works for you then that is good. Personally I would never use a four stroke plug on a 2 stroke engine. To resort to that means that either the fuel or tuning is wrong. I have never needed to use anything other than an OS #8 for any OS 2 stroke engine with perfect tuning and results.

[@TheRealWALLABI]

@@dmrcflyr2 The engine is definitely far from being perfectly tuned, and its condition is also far from perfect. It is getting old and has had about 10 gallons of fuel go through it. I cleaned it once, a long time ago, but never changed anything. Bearings are definitely not nice, though they don't make any noise so far, and there's some rust on the crankshaft. Piston and sleeve are probably worn as the engine is lacking some compression, and to top it off, I fly in a very hot and humid climate (Thailand, probably not that different from what you get in Florida though). The Type F plug I was using recently burnt out and I didn't have anything else available than a No 8 plug, so I used that. Although for some reason the engine is now much harder to hand start, it's doing okay, but has to be run a little leaner, else it stumbles and dies at high rpm.

[@David-hm9ic]

If you decide to do a part deux on glow plugs it would really be good to tune the engine to each plug and get good idle data. It wasn’t a big surprise that the top ends were similar with no plug specific tuning. Atmospheric conditions likely play a bigger role in tuning than the composition of the plug elements but without tuning to each plug that remains an unknown. Idle and transition are more important to me than an extra 200 rpm. Don’t get me wrong; this is a helpful video and as always, enjoyable. There’s just more to learn.

[@mikeeiben3430]

I find that it is best to adjust the mixture as rich as possible while still getting good performance. Otherwise it will begin to lean out as the engine gets hotter.

[@GFTP100]

In most circumstances the leaning out is due to a lowering of the fuel level in the tank. Unless you’re referring to “thermal runaway” a glow engine reaches and maintains a fixed operating temperature pretty quickly. Starting out too lean will definitely get worse as the flight (assuming you’re flying) progresses.

[@davescopes249]

I'm just choosing some new plugs for my planes so thanks for sharing your video. I had to giggle at 0:54 when the noisy car drove past and speach cloud popped up saying get a muffler then you started that loud plane engine up. 🤣🤣🤣🤣BRILLIANT. 👍

[@cpncme273]

Nice job! That OS sounds BANG ON tune wise. Idle and top end needles are so important to making these jewels shine! I have previously spent time on Saito's and many others and agree 100% with your findings. I do have a couple of videos on here so please see them. Meantime I love your content and direction with these beautiful little peices of engineering! Cheers from downunder!! Sorry, i meant to add my favourite plug of all... OS 'F' on pretty much any 4-stroke, OS No. 8 on 90% of 2-strokes on less than 15% nitro.

[@cpncme273]

So sorry to keep adding Dave, She sounds a touch lean on the low end. Much love for all engines mate! Cheers for the content!!

[@HobbyOrganist]

Yeah I was skeptical the plugs would make any real difference, maybe at start up or when cold, but I wouldn't think when running.

[@codejunki567]

If you read about what makes different glow plugs..different.... You would understand.

[@admargodoy]

Great video!! Well interesting ... And it seemed to me that the hangar 9 plug did not show rpm drop when rethrottle

[@grahambate3384]

Unfair test, he should retune for each plug

[@RC-Flight]

I had the same observation as you! that plug appeared to transition from low RPM to high RPM better then the rest.

[@ikmaldoni1398]

Hi Dave thanks for sharing the video just wondering might you know what the benefit of os plug no6 than os plug no8 ? Thanks

[@dmrcflyr2]

The number 6 former A3 plug is a hotter plug. Glow plugs have heat ranges to be used in different circumstances. www.rc-airplane-world.com/glow-plugs-for-rc.html

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Sweet little engine. Amazing the difference a glow plug makes.

[@jjrotogeek]

Excellent vid

[@125saito]

Dave, seems like the H-9 Super Plug gave a little better transition than the others.

[@dmrcflyr2]

I don't know if the engine was just getting too hot throughout runs or what. I have used the Hangar 9 plug for years and have loved them. The Saito P2 was also quite good. In this experiment the OS F seemed the worst.

[@125saito]

I swapped out a Saito SS for an OS F in my Magnum 70 two nites ago. It seemed to help with transition but this motor is still not the best. Ultra black residue going into tank from the pressure line and top end RPM not consistant.

[@1ch1ah]

Isn't the enya#3 a 2stroke plug?

[@bubbalikescorn]

YS used to recommend the Enya #3 in their owner manuals for the 120AC and 120SF.

[@jerzyszwengruben9816]

Hello. What kind of fuel did you use ? BR. Jerzy

[@dmrcflyr2]

Listen at :35

[@Public_land_trail_cams]

"get a muffler" as he fires up his rc engine that 10x louder haha

[@chriss4365]

I checked my glow plug with my 2.4 volts input and it barely glows whats going on? Its also very hard to start.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Hey Dave, if you haven't done a video for the near total noob yet, how about a video like that which shows what all those hose lines go to and why, what kind/size prop, and what is needed to get an engine running? I have a few nice used engines I bought over the last few years on Ebay, none have props, I don't intend to put them in planes I just always thought these mini engines were so cool I wanted them as engines. Besides a couple of Cox bee's, and a Cox dune buggy engine 0.49, I have a Saito FA 30S, OS Max 10 FP, and an OS Max 40 FP. They are all nice clean engines, good compression, and a couple of them have their original boxes and paperwork etc. I can remember having a Cox Bee engine and attaching it to a board in the basement as a kid and running it a couple of times, that sucker was LOUD! And I remember I had a Cox dune buggy and wanting a larger airplane engine but I think dad was afraid of the size of the props on them so he wouldn't budge on buying one for me!

[@franciskrueger7717]

Sir why is it almost stall on half throttle transition ? LSN is not balanced to the HSN. maybe the the low needle needs to lean down just 5 deg. The os f plug had a great number on your review i'm using 10% on fuel and f plug good to run at any weather condition and higher altitudes. Great info on your review

[@joehah3858]

I hate having to fool around with glow plug igniters and stuff

[@wolfgangrumpel9509]

Maybe I overlooked something David. Can you recall the prop size ?

[@dmrcflyr2]

No I don't. Seeing as it is a OS 52 I'm fairly sure that is an APC 12x6.

[@wolfgangrumpel9509]

@@dmrcflyr2 you got quite high rpm´s..so I was curious :-) .Maybe 11xxx or 12x5 ? Anyway ..great video..IMHO the ENYA # 3 is the all can do glow plug of all times (nearly :-) )

[@stevearmett1565]

If you look at David's previous comment from 3 years ago you'll see he used an APC 11x6 👍

[@eriff]

Sorry to make this comment, David wath do you think about lost the glow era? against electrics

[@stevenhugh1785]

I think it's a real shame that everything is gone electric but that's the world we live in, and the registration you didn't mention that!

[@christopherknee5756]

@@stevenhugh1785 From what I could deduce from an editorial in an old British magazine, electric planes are drawing in a whole lot of people into the hobby. As soon as they are there - (in other words, have learnt to fly reliably), they realize that it is better to move away from the "toy" side of the hobby, to more realistic power plants like gassers and turbines. Electrics are okay for indoor stuff, I guess.

[@lucasboth3243]

Nice exhaust pipe!!

[@DBJr1980]

Run across a cop having a slow day and you could get a ticket for that.

[@lawrencenicolin409]

Great engine!

[@randygandee9674]

The transition from idle to wide open was a little different different.

[@zsnorbert]

Thank you video!

[@zsnorbert]

Prop size for this Os. 52?

[@dmrcflyr2]

I used an 11x6 APC for this.

[@magnatron7734]

Nice vid

[@manwar999]

thanks

[@LeonardoCostaUSA]

Well.. looks like Hangar is the best of all.

[@dmrcflyr2]

I wouldn’t draw any conclusions from this. This test was flawed in several ways.

[@rcthailandbasic9734]

👍👍🤟🤟