Dug out my switch (a Turnigy item) and was gobsmacked to see it could handle up to 30v and 10A!! It looks like it is possible to wire it up to a separate power source, so a single NiMH could be the go. I'll try it tomorrow.
onboard glo driver?
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IanH
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 13 Nov 2018, 23:47
- Location: Australia, NSW
Re: onboard glo driver?
Well, muggins 'ere tried the brushed esc, and immediately blew the plug of course. The voltage jumped to 10v almost as soon as I touched the stick.
I had tried a multimeter but it didn't show anything, so tried the plug. It was only later I realised one of the multimeter leads wasn't plugged into the multimeter...
When it was plugged in is when I discovered it went to 10v. Silly moi.
Dug out my switch (a Turnigy item) and was gobsmacked to see it could handle up to 30v and 10A!! It looks like it is possible to wire it up to a separate power source, so a single NiMH could be the go. I'll try it tomorrow.

Dug out my switch (a Turnigy item) and was gobsmacked to see it could handle up to 30v and 10A!! It looks like it is possible to wire it up to a separate power source, so a single NiMH could be the go. I'll try it tomorrow.
Why would I buy something for $7 when I can make it myself with just $250 worth of equipment and materials.
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Spike S
- Posts: 196
- Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 14:59
- Location: Salisbury UK
Re: onboard glo driver?
Ian
Apologies if I missed it and somebody has already suggested.
There used to be only two types of glow plug: "Take it or leave it". If you want or need to avoid electronics, there is always the cruder energiser option from the days before ICs and Mosfets: A single NiCad and a 5A microswitch from the throttle servo. To avoid overloading a small RC type switch, use simple 'bullet' connectors from the NiCad and just disconnect that battery when not wanting to have the motor 'live'.
That arrangement might be lighter than the equivalent relay and its drive.
Apologies if I missed it and somebody has already suggested.
There used to be only two types of glow plug: "Take it or leave it". If you want or need to avoid electronics, there is always the cruder energiser option from the days before ICs and Mosfets: A single NiCad and a 5A microswitch from the throttle servo. To avoid overloading a small RC type switch, use simple 'bullet' connectors from the NiCad and just disconnect that battery when not wanting to have the motor 'live'.
That arrangement might be lighter than the equivalent relay and its drive.
Spike S
(Tune for maximum smoke)
(Tune for maximum smoke)
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IanH
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 13 Nov 2018, 23:47
- Location: Australia, NSW
Re: onboard glo driver?
Or is it @bluejets ? Apologies for any confustion.
I can get one of these on OzEbay for AUD7, and one of these for under AUD5. I've got some resistors and some bits of veroboard, now all I need to know is what to solder to what.

I can get one of these on OzEbay for AUD7, and one of these for under AUD5. I've got some resistors and some bits of veroboard, now all I need to know is what to solder to what.
Why would I buy something for $7 when I can make it myself with just $250 worth of equipment and materials.
- Shaun
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: 15 Feb 2018, 21:49
- Location: West Yorkshire
Re: onboard glo driver?
"A single NiCad and a 5A microswitch from the throttle servo. To avoid overloading a small RC type switch, use simple 'bullet' connectors from the NiCad and just disconnect that battery when not wanting to have the motor 'live'.
That arrangement might be lighter than the equivalent relay and its drive."
A Servo and micro switch will most likely weigh more than a relay switch and not as simple to install but it's another option.
That arrangement might be lighter than the equivalent relay and its drive."
A Servo and micro switch will most likely weigh more than a relay switch and not as simple to install but it's another option.
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Spike S
- Posts: 196
- Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 14:59
- Location: Salisbury UK
Re: onboard glo driver?
My 5A microswitches weigh just 3gm. It's for an IC motor so the servo is already thereShaun wrote: 01 Jul 2024, 11:07 ...
A Servo and micro switch will most likely weigh more than a relay switch and not as simple to install but it's another option.![]()
Spike S
(Tune for maximum smoke)
(Tune for maximum smoke)
- Shaun
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: 15 Feb 2018, 21:49
- Location: West Yorkshire
Re: onboard glo driver?
3g plus linkages, servo (45g for a standard one), mount etc.
Relay switches weigh around 30g all in, take up little space and are a simple solution or look on AliExpress, I've seen glo drivers for around £7.00 so if you buy something else to get the order value to £8.00 you can get free delivery.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ez3tZn9
These are the relay switches I've used before.
Shaun.
Relay switches weigh around 30g all in, take up little space and are a simple solution or look on AliExpress, I've seen glo drivers for around £7.00 so if you buy something else to get the order value to £8.00 you can get free delivery.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ez3tZn9
These are the relay switches I've used before.
Shaun.
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bluejets
- Posts: 349
- Joined: 19 Jun 2019, 04:09
Re: onboard glo driver?
A bit more to it than that.IanH wrote: 01 Jul 2024, 09:24
I can get one of these on OzEbay for AUD7, and one of these for under AUD5. I've got some resistors and some bits of veroboard, now all I need to know is what to solder to what.
![]()
Circuit diagram and a 3d view of the board. I knocked it up yesterday (the enclosed.....hardware yet to be tested so don't go crazy yet)
Although it is very similar to the one I used on the Rivierra boat 4 cylinder so it should work ok. Board size is 46mm x 35mm.
As far as testing with a good plug ....NEVER.....well at least until one knows it is safe.
Blowing $10 or $15 plug hurts...like crashing and breaking an engine.
Always test with a 50c wire wound resistor.
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IanH
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 13 Nov 2018, 23:47
- Location: Australia, NSW
Re: onboard glo driver?
@bluejets that's very impressive. Is there a PCB layout on the other side of that picture?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Why would I buy something for $7 when I can make it myself with just $250 worth of equipment and materials.
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IanH
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 13 Nov 2018, 23:47
- Location: Australia, NSW
Re: onboard glo driver?
BTW it was an old plug I had floating around the bottom of my field box for years. It had already done sterling service, so no great loss. 
Why would I buy something for $7 when I can make it myself with just $250 worth of equipment and materials.
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bluejets
- Posts: 349
- Joined: 19 Jun 2019, 04:09
Re: onboard glo driver?
Yes, it is a part of the EasyEDA program for generating pcb's which are then sent off to the manufacturer as a gerber file.IanH wrote: 03 Jul 2024, 01:01 @bluejets that's very impressive. Is there a PCB layout on the other side of that picture?
Thanks.
Below is a "screenshot"......
top layer is Red
bottom layer is Blue
top silkscreen layer is Yellow
I will post the gerber here when I have tested the hardware as being 100% correct.
As shown here , it is a "panelized" pcb meaning one gets 4 boards per pcb and 5 pcb's per order, so 20 boards in this instance.
Usual cost all up with 2 week postage is around AUD$15.00.......not even worth thinking about making ones own pcb's anymore.
Purple lines are "scored" by the manufacturer to enable "snap off" of each board.