South Herts Models

SHM Glowswitch Products

The following information is provided more fully in the Advanced Glowswitch Handbook

 AGS-1 and AGS-2

   If you want total reliability from your glow engine, then you need an AGS on-board glow driver. 

The AGS Glowswitch is still the only glow driver that monitors the glow temperature and heats the glow-plug only when necessary so only a small (light weight) support battery is needed and there is no risk of damage to the plug.  Unlike other glow drivers, the AGS supports the glow even at high throttle settings so, for example, an aborted approach need present no problems; you just open up the throttle and the engine responds as desired. 

The Advanced Glowswitch (AGS) has all the features of the well known original Intelligent on-board Glowswitch (IG), but in addition it:

Ø       Automatically adjusts to any support battery voltage from 1.2V to 4.2V.

Ø       Works with a receiver voltage of up to 7.2V.

Ø       Is suitable for all battery types including LiPo, LiFe, Lead-acid and NiMH.

Ø       Needs no Y-lead connection.

Ø       Optionally fully automatic or transmitter controlled.

Ø       Has remote ultra-bright, daylight viewing, indicator LEDs connected with mini screw terminals.

Ø       Has a remote adjustment panel also connected with mini-screw terminals.

Ø       Automatically compensates for battery voltage fall-off in use.

Ø       Has simple two-terminal plug connections (three terminals for the twin version).

Ø       Still has the Start-Up Boost feature.

The LED(s) tell you when the AGS is testing the glow and when it is boosting it. They will also give you information about your glow and receiver batteries – indicating the type of battery it has detected and whether or not the battery is getting low.  

The AGS turns off when the Rx is switched off, so you can leave everything permanently connected, ready for starting and the next flight.

Installation is easy.  Just connect the support battery and the glow plug to the AGS and plug the AGS into the Rx.  Full instructions are provided with each unit and in the Advanced Handbook.

Single Version Part No AGS-1

Twin  Version Part No AGS-2

Twin and Multi-Cylinder Engines and 'Planes

Because of the way in which AGSs work, it is necessary to have one AGS connection per glow plug. For twin cylinder engines use an AGS-2. Otherwise use a combination of AGS-1s and AGS-2s "daisy-chained" together using the built-in connectors. Batteries should be chosen on the basis of 3A per plug (eg A 3-Cylinder engine could draw 9A from the battery).  Two sizes of heavy duty Cyclon cells (PC-250 and PC-450) are available for use with multi-cylinder engines. A multi-cylinder application circuit is provided in the Advanced Handbook.

Power Panels and External Starting Batteries

External starts are not recommended, but we are happy to advise in such cases.

Miscellaneous

The current draw of the AGS-1 from the Rx battery is 10mA, rising to 15mA when the LED and glow output are both continuously on. The figure for the AGS-2 is approximately double that of the AGS-1. Current draw on the glow battery when not boosting the glow is equivalent to being on for 0.6 sec in every 60 (ie 1% of the time).

The approximate weight of the AGS-1 is 15gm, and that of the AGS-2 is 25gm. Compatible with up to 7.2V Rx systems.

Example Shopping Lists

For a single cylinder engine order one each of the following:

        AGS-1 Glowswitch

        CL-1 Cent-r-Lok glow plug connector c/w Aero-HT cables       

        HT-5 Aero-HT cables for wiring up battery

        SS-HC High current slide-switch

For a twin cylinder engine order one each of the following:

        AGS-2 Glowswitch

        CL-2 Cent-r-Lok glow plug connector c/w Aero-HT cables

        HT-5 Aero-HT cables for wiring up battery

        SS-HC High current slide-switch

You will also need to choose a glow support battery which can be almost any type as long as the voltage isn't more than 4.2V - your local model shop will have a selection for you to choose from.

If you intend to charge the support battery in the model, we recommend our CH-IG On-board charging connector and CH-OC mating charger connector.  NB It is never advisable to charge Li-Po cells in the model.

Some engines seem to benefit from an extra hot glow for starting; in such cases you may wish to add an HH-SB Start-Up Boost switch and  HH-DM Operating Magnet to your shopping list.

Disclaimer

The above information is provided in good faith for general guidance only. Details given are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing, but subject to change without notice as a result of manufacturing variation and design improvement.

Both the IG-1 and the IG-2 have been tested in typical installations (without the use of filters) and were found to comply with EN 61000-6-1: 2001 and EN 61000-6-3: 2001 and therefore comply with the emission and immunity requirements of the EC directive 2004/108/EC.

As with any change or addition to an r/c system, you should always carry out a range and performance check before operating the equipment.