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| Issue 41 (November 2009) |
Words: Ryan Kephart |
How many times have you gone to start your helicopter only to find out that your glow driver is dead and the engine will not start? Have you ever left your glow igniter at home on the charger? Chances are you have had to borrow one or run back to the house to grab your igniter just to get in a few flights. All that is about to change: SwitchGlo will reinvent the way you start your helicopter, and you will never have to worry about forgetting your glow igniter again. This month we are taking a look at the new SwitchGlo Pro, which offers additional features that go above and beyond the original SwitchGlo we have all seen before.
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Features
The SwitchGlo Pro features a compact design that houses everything it needs to ignite your glow plug. SwitchGlo has changed the voltage input to accept a wide range of voltage (from 4 volts to 9). This means that you can buy just one unit for all your needs. Previous versions required a specific SwitchGlo depending on the voltage you were running on your system. They also required that you had an open channel on your radio, but the new Pro is a stand-alone unit that can be used even without an extra channel on your radio (by using a push-button switch that activates the igniter). A built-in servo reverser can also be used for Y-harnessing off an unopened channel. The SwitchGlo unit weighs in at 25 grams including the pigtail that attaches to the glow plug and engine. The pigtail uses a quick disconnect on the body, which allows you to remove it without having to unscrew the ground wire. This feature also allows you to easily replace the pigtail if the wires should ever be damaged. The SwitchGlo Pro can also be programmed to automatically shut off after 12 seconds or one minute. This gives you plenty of time to start your engine and walk it out to the flight line without fear of the engine shutting off. SwitchGlo Pro can also be programmed through your computerized radio to come on during a low throttle setting. This makes a wide range of applications possible, including airplanes that have an inverted engine. Another great feature of this small unit is the ability to see if your glow plug is functioning properly without having to remove it to check the coil: SwitchGlo included a buzzer that allows you to hear if the unit is working and the glow plug is lit. If the glow plug burns out, the SwitchGlo emits a short tone and then becomes silent. This verifies that the unit is working but the glow plug is dead.
Testing
I had a chance to not only bench-test the unit but install it in many different nitro helicopters, including 50- and 90-sized birds. The SwitchGlo Pro provided enough power to start every engine I threw at it. The additional features really made this automatic glow igniter shine. Stubborn idling motors remained running for an extended amount of time allowing a smooth transition to mid-stick. The audible alert was really helpful when starting the helicopter because I knew the helicopter was hot and ready to start. I set up the radio programming several ways, which was also really helpful and safe. The programming even allows you to set it up to only glow if the throttle is at idle. This prevents hot starts and the possibility of burning up your clutch. I also set up the push button switch on a few helicopters. The button worked flawlessly, but it seemed a bit fragile to me. The connector that is pressed in the SwitchGlo is a bit on the weak side, so be careful when installing this button. I even had a chance to try the SwitchGlo on an inverted mounted engine on an airplane. At first it was a bit difficult to start the engine. After several attempts and adjusting the low-end needle, the engine started flawlessly every time.
Conclusion
The SwitchGlo Pro is a great little product that can help every helicopter during the starting process. The unit is lightweight and compact, which allows it to be used on any nitro helicopter big or small. This well made sealed unit will provide years of easy starts without the fear of residue seeping into the circuit board. If there were one thing I could change on the unit, it would be the ability to adjust how much current is going to the glow plug. I found that some of the glow plugs I used just didn't seem bright enough, but all in all it started the engine every time.
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HITS
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• Small and lightweight
• Sealed unit
• Easy to use
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MISSES
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• Glow seems a little weak on some applications
• Push-button switch connector feels a bit weak
MANUFACTURER: SwitchGlo
PART NUMBER(S): N/A
STREET PRICE: $64.99
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