Can You Start An RC Car Without A Glow Plug Igniter?

One problem with having a nitro-powered RC car is the fact they require a glow plug igniter to start the engine. But can you start an RC Car without one?

The short answer is no you can’t start a Nitro Rc car without a glow plug igniter, this is due to a couple of reasons, and in this article, we will outline the reasons why.

What Is A Glow Plug Igniter?

A glow plug igniter is a tool that is used to ignite glow plugs. Glow plugs are used to heat up the glow plug tip to a high temperature so that it can glow.

This glow is then used to ignite the fuel in the glow plug chamber. The glow plug igniter works by heating up the glow plug tip with a wire that is heated by an electric current.

The heat from the glow plug igniter wire transfers to the glow plug tip and causes it to glow.

This allows the engine to start without the need for a spark plug. As nitro-powered RC engines are only simple in how they work, having a spark plug would require a lot more engineering and would make the RC car heavier and a lot more expensive.

Is There An Alternative To A Glow Plug Igniter?

Unfortunately, there isn’t any alternative to the glow plug igniter as it is a piece of equipment that is required. Luckily, they are relatively inexpensive and should be readily available online or from your local hobby store.

How Does A Glow Plug Igniter Work?

The glow plug igniter is powered by a battery and has a switch that controls the flow of current to the wire.

When in contact with the tip of the glow plug, the flow of current makes the plug glow.

The switch is turned on when the glow plug is inserted into the glow plug chamber and turned off when the glow plug is removed from the chamber.

What Is An RC Car Glow Plug?

An RC car glow plug is a special type of glow plug that is used in radio-controlled model cars.

These glow plugs are designed to provide a consistent and reliable source of heat for the engine, and they are able to operate at a wide range of temperatures.

The glow plug is responsible for igniting the fuel in the engine, and it must be able to withstand the high temperatures that are generated by the combustion process.

In order to ensure that the glow plug is able to perform its function effectively, it is important to choose a glow plug that is specifically designed for use in RC cars. Otherwise, you may find that your glow plug does not last as long as it should or that it fails to ignite the fuel properly.

There are many different types of glow plugs available on the market, so it is important to do some research before making your purchase.

By taking the time to choose the right glow plug for your RC car, you can be sure that your engine will run smoothly and reliably for many years to come.

How To Tell If Your Glow Plug Igniter Is Broken

When your glow plug igniter is starting to break you will notice a few tell-tale problems.

The igniter needs to be able to produce a high voltage quickly in order for the glow plug to reach its optimal temperature. If your glow plug igniter is starting to lose voltage really quickly you will notice that it starts getting harder to start the RC car.

To check to see if the glow plug igniter is working properly first take out the glow plug from the chamber of the car. Then, put the glow plug into the glow plug igniter, making sure to keep your fingers away from the heating element.

You should see then turn on your glow plug igniter and watch the heating element. It should immediately start to glow a hot red.

If your glow plug doesn’t glow so intensely you may, either, have a problem with your igniter or the glow plug.

You should get a replacement glow plug and repeat the steps again to see if the problem persists.

Final Thoughts

So there we have it, there is no substitute for a glow plug igniter, but you can pick one up for a relatively small price. But, as mentioned earlier, remember to check your glow plug as the problem may not be with your igniter.