"Dual Coil" self-regulating Glow Plugs; update - Diesel Forum

d9d · 03-22-2005, 04:35 PM

Today I found out why the new "self regulating" GP's weren't showing any decrease of current over time....

...they sent me the wrong plugs! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

They had sent me the regular single-coil plugs. Now I have to go through changing GP's all over again...arggghh... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Hopefully, I'll have the right ones within a week; and will update again with results.

I did finally receive an email with the engineering data on the current vs. time profile; and it does indeed show a decrease from 23 amps at click-on, to about 13 amps after 7 seconds; with a GP temp of 1900F. So that sounds right. Now if I can just get the right plugs...

These dual-coil GP's should be the perfect solution for those of us with manual pushbuttons.

When you order 'dual coils' from anyone, be sure to specify that you need part# G088......NOT G080...

Mr_Roboto · 03-22-2005, 08:40 PM

According to a distributor of the dual-coil plugs, they are not compatible with the late 6.9 and 7.3L controller.

"Description

Brand new glow plugs for 7.3L IDI Ford / International - a complete set of 8. These do not fit Powerstrokes! See our Ebay store for those. These are for the approximately 88 - 94 7.3L. It is important to check your glow plugs. If they have the bullet connectors, you need the glow plugs in this auction. If they have spade connectors, please see our other auctions.

These are the same Premium glowplugs such as the others we sell in our Ebay store, except that they are not a dual-coil design. The dual coil plugs do not work well with the 7.3L glow plug controller. Thanks for looking, and please see the other items in our Ebay store!"

jdkline · 03-22-2005, 09:43 PM

That is from Tim @ Clean Injectors correct? I have heard him say the same thing before. I know the SLMs he sells are good, I bought a batch and because I'm not too good with electricity [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img], got a constant 12 volts through teh controller to them for 2 or more minutes....who knows how long really [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sick.gif[/img], so I had to pull them back out cuase they didn't work too well after that, most of thema re still good, but one or more is shorted internally, couldn't find it. What was impressive was that none burned off, or even swelled or expaned after all that heat and voltage. I would have bought another set, but my truck is DD so I just bought a new set of berus

d9d · 03-23-2005, 02:24 AM

jd, what does "SLM's" stand for??

Roboto, I have suggested these self-regulating plugs for those with manual pushbuttons; to avoid burnout from overly long button action... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Given that the 7.3 controller apparently sense current and adjust timing accordingly, I can see where the G088's might give it a hard time; because they draw 23 amps each cold, and the stock GP's draw a solid 30+ amps each. So maybe the 88's would confuse the controller.

The test results show the plug heating to full temp by the time the controller cycled off in 7 seconds. Whether the 7.3 controller would cycle off that quickly with the 175 amp draw vs. the stock 250 amp draw, I'm not sure. I might pull a few GP wires tomorrow, to cut the total draw to 175, and test that.

A further consideration would be the case of a warm engine, where the controller would have an even shorter cycle.

When the dual-coils are hot, at 7 seconds, the total draw has dropped to just 105 amps (13 per GP).

Mr_Roboto · 03-23-2005, 09:23 AM

You're right, they would be fine for use with a pushbutton. I was just giving a heads up, hate to see someone spend the time to bolt in GP's that won't work right.

I personally think I'd hate a pushbutton. I'd be more likely to go with an electronic timer deal.

Birken Vogt · 03-23-2005, 09:36 AM

I have a little Daihatsu that works that way. The plugs stay on the same length of time no matter what the engine temperature.

Birken

d9d · 03-23-2005, 01:25 PM

I hear ya Roboto....once in a while I -do- dislike the button....but most of the time I'm just glad to know that I'll NEVER have any further $$$ problems with controllers... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Birken, I kinda like that idea. The only reason I can think of that Ford went to such complex arrangements is to save the glowplugs; which were badly-spec'ed (6V) in the first place... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I've often thought of laying out a trivial PCB with the a 555 a powerFET to drive the relay. Turn the key, and you've got 10 seconds of GP, no matter what.

It would work great with the self-regulating plugs.

Maybe I'll dead-bug one together on some copper-clad and stick it in the '86 for interest's sake...

It wouldn't add any cost to wire in a disable from the temp-sender; so that it disables the plugs, or cuts them to 3-4 seconds when the engine is over X degrees.

By the way Roboto, far as I can tell, Dipaco doesn't list a dual-coil for the 7.3; so you're likely right that the controller doesn't like them...

With summer coming, it won't matter for a while; but I'm going to think about changing the harness to accomodate the 6.9 tabs...or possibly either; before next winter sets in. I do NOT like that 250 amp draw from the stock plugs...

Mr_Roboto · 03-23-2005, 09:21 PM

Right D9D, I spent considerable time looking for the dual coil plugs for my IDI until I found that page that said they were not compatible with the controller.

I'm still considering what to do with mine, I'll probably end up switching to the "spade" ends that are fairly standard on glow plugs, and going with a "slower" or lower wattage glow plug. I can wait for them to heat up, I just need for them to work.

Winter is pretty much past here, so I'm not going to full with it till fall.

jdkline · 03-24-2005, 12:36 PM

Richard, SLM is just the company name that makes the dual coil plugs and other glow plugs. They used to be known as LDM.

d9d · 03-24-2005, 11:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Richard, SLM is just the company name that makes the dual coil plugs and other glow plugs. They used to be known as LDM.

[/ QUOTE ]

ahh...thanks JD.

The dual-coils that I have are made by WAP, Inc.; i.e. Wellman Automotive.

Birken Vogt · 03-25-2005, 12:32 AM

I tried to get a Wellman 24v glow plug for one of the 4-cylinder DJ gensets (it exploded in my face while I was trying to figure where the smoke was coming from [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] )...I got in contact with somebody at Wellman who was going to help me but he had short timer's and he soon retired. It don't matter anyhow it still starts just fine with 3 glow plugs and the two air heaters in series on 24v...

I just liked that story....

Birken

d9d · 03-25-2005, 12:52 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I tried to get a Wellman 24v glow plug for one of the 4-cylinder DJ gensets (it exploded in my face while I was trying to figure where the smoke was coming from [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] )...I got in contact with somebody at Wellman who was going to help me but he had short timer's and he soon retired. It don't matter anyhow it still starts just fine with 3 glow plugs and the two air heaters in series on 24v...

I just liked that story....

Birken

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

yah...good one Birken.

Reminds me of electrolytic-cap stories... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

edit; exclusive disty for WAP is now Dipaco, in Reno. They've got cats and price-lists in PDF on line now. Maybe that plug is in the cat...