Glow plug (model engine)

In model engines, the glow plug is an integral part of the ignition system because of the catalytic effect of the platinum wire.

When an electric current runs through the plug, or when exposed to the heat of the combustion chamber, the filament glows, enabling it to help ignite the special fuel used by these engines.

The standard glow plug, which comes in long/standard and short (for smaller engines), in both open and idle-bar configurations, has a threaded tube that penetrates the combustion chamber to varying degrees.

Due to the small size of the combustion chamber changing brands or styles of standard glow plug can affect the compression ratio.

As a Turbo or Nelson plug is installed and seals the combustion chamber, they create a smooth surface inside the head.

This smooth surface is very desirable for high-performance application such as Control Line Speed events and also high-revving RC Cars.

The lubrication system is a "total loss" type, meaning that the oil is expelled from the exhaust after circulating through the engine.

Each combustion keeps the glow plug filament hot, which along with the catalysis of methanol oxidation by the platinum, allows the ignition of the next charge in a self-sustaining power cycle.

Even with an appropriate power input, glow plugs can burn out at any time, and hobbyists are encouraged to carry spares.

[4] The two-cycle (or two-stroke) version produces more power, but the four-cycle engines have more low-end torque, are less noisy and have a lower-pitched, more realistic sound.

If the engine backfires when it is hand-cranked, it is operating too hot and the glow plug temperature or "nitro" content should be lowered.