Microsens GLOW2C - User Manual

MICROSENS GLOW2C
Glow driver for 1 – 2 cylinders
Warnings
Read carefully this manual first before you put the electronis into operation.
Observe all warnings and hints of the engine and battery manual too.
General
This electronics is intended for heating of model engines glow plugs. It works with all
standard RC receivers. The glow battery should be a 2S LIPO.
All plugs are controlled seperately and each plug has an own monitoring red LED.
The brightness of the LED shows the glow current of this LED.
If one plug is broken, this LED will be off and all others will work normally.
Like the former GLOW_LP it works in two modes : Starting mode to start the engine
and after that the running mode.
Starting mode : Full glow strength, the glow plugs light orange.
Running mode : Half glow strength in idle postion or less up to half speed.
Above half speed no glowing.
At idle the glow plugs are still dark, though they are heated.
Detecting of wet plugs : A common problem of radial engines is that the lower plugs are
getting wet after a long idle run and turn off the glowing. The GLOW2C detects a
wet plug and increases the current of this plug as long as it is wet.
Connectors
The glow plug leads
are connected by terminal strips. The leads shall have an isolated crimped bootlace on the
end. The recommanded copper diameter of the cable is 0,75mm².
The glow plug lead should be connected with a screw on the glow plug and not with a
spring, this contact is too poor and the detection of a wet plug wo'nt work properly.
Best choice is to use MICROSENS ZUBI3.
The terminal strips are easy to open if you put a 3mm screwdriver with some force into the
slit above the cable opening.
One connection is for one glow plug only and avoid a short crcuit between two glow plugs.
The outputs are short circuit protected against ground. If a short circuit happens, this
output will switched off until the next power on.
The ground connector M should be connected with a 0,7mm² copper diameter cable to the
engine housing.
Glow battery connector :
Use a 2S-LIPO (=7,4V nominal voltage) battery with more than 10C. A typical capacity
value for 2 glow plugs is 1000mAh, this is usually enough for 2-3 flights.
Attention : Check the correct polarity of the battery before you connect it at the first time.
A wrong polarity will destroy the electroncs and all connected glow plugs!
There is no warranty in this case.
The servo connector
is a JR type, suitable for all standard receivers. The approbiate receiver battery voltage is
4,8V – 8,4V. Do'nt use it with a higher or lower voltage.

Summary

MICROSENS GLOW2 C Glow Driver Overview

Warnings and General Operation

Read manual, observe warnings for engine/battery. General use for model engines with RC receivers.

Connectors and Wiring

Details on glow plug leads, ground connector, and glow battery connector for proper installation.

Status LED and Mounting

Status LED Functionality

Explains LED indicators for battery status (full, half, low) and glowing modes (starting, running).

Mounting and Environment

Instructions for mounting the electronics with M3 screws, specifying distance and environmental limits.

Setup, Operation, and Control

Adjustment Procedure

Step-by-step guide to calibrate the glow driver for correct glowing based on plug condition.

Activating Start Mode and Control

How to activate starting mode and control glowing via throttle cut and lever stick positions.

Transport, Storage, and Accessories

Safety advice for transport, storage, and a list of optional accessories.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features
5. Optional Accessories

The MICROSENS GLOW2C is a glow driver designed for 1 to 2 cylinder model engines. It is compatible with all standard RC receivers and operates with a 2S LIPO glow battery.

Function Description:

The primary function of the GLOW2C is to heat glow plugs in model engines. It offers two operating modes:

• Starting Mode: Provides full glow strength, causing the glow plugs to light orange. This mode is activated by switching from THROTTLE CUT off to on and back to off while in run mode.
• Running Mode: Provides half glow strength when the throttle is in idle position or up to half speed. Above half speed, there is no glowing. In idle, the glow plugs remain dark but are still heated.

A key feature is the individual control and monitoring of each glow plug. Each plug has its own red LED indicator, whose brightness reflects the glow current. If a plug is broken, its LED will be off, while others continue to function normally.

The device also incorporates a "wet plug" detection feature. For radial engines, lower plugs can become wet after extended idle, causing them to stop glowing. The GLOW2C detects a wet plug and automatically increases its current until it dries.

The glow driver monitors the voltage of the glow battery. If the voltage drops below 6V, the glowing is switched off to protect the battery from excessive discharge. The actual voltage of the glow battery does not affect the heating power.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Cylinder Compatibility: 1 – 2 cylinders
• Glow Battery: 2S LIPO (7.4V nominal voltage), with more than 10C. A typical capacity for 2 glow plugs is 1000mAh, sufficient for 2-3 flights.
• Receiver Compatibility: All standard RC receivers.
• Servo Connector: JR type, suitable for receiver battery voltages between 4.8V and 8.4V.
• Glow Plug Lead Copper Diameter: Recommended 0.75mm².
• Ground Connector (M) Cable Diameter: 0.7mm² copper cable to the engine housing.
• Dimensions (without connectors): 46 x 36 x 10 mm
• Weight: 23g
• Current Consumption (Status LED cable): Approximately 20mA.

Usage Features:

• Glow Plug Connection: Glow plug leads connect via terminal strips. Leads should have an isolated crimped bootlace. Connections should be made with a screw on the glow plug, not a spring, to ensure proper wet plug detection. MICROSENS ZUBI3 is recommended. Terminal strips can be opened with a 3mm screwdriver.
• Short Circuit Protection: Outputs are short-circuit protected against ground. A short circuit will cause the affected output to switch off until the next power-on.
• Battery Polarity: Critical to check correct polarity of the glow battery before first connection to avoid destroying the electronics and glow plugs.
• Status LED Cable: Monitors glow battery status when not glowing:
  • Solid green: Full or nearly full
  • Flashing green: More than half
  • Flashing green / red: Less than half
  • Flashing red: Will be soon empty
  • Below 6V: Glow battery switched off.
  • When glowing in starting mode: Fast red flashing.
  • When glowing in running mode: Solid red.
• Throttle Cut: If the throttle is trimmed more than 20% below idle position (or using the THROTTLE CUT switch), glowing is turned off. The THROTTLE CUT function is also used to activate glowing.
• Activating Run Mode: After powering on the receiver with the lever stick in idle, briefly switch THROTTLE CUT on and off, then move the lever stick from idle to full power and back to idle.
• Activating Start Mode: While in run mode, briefly switch THROTTLE CUT off to on and back to off. Glow plugs and control LEDs will shine brightly, and the status LED will flash red.

Maintenance Features:

• Adjustment Procedure:
  1. Connect all glow plugs to the driver.
  2. Take one plug out of the cylinder (or use an additional plug if fewer than 9 glow plugs are present) and connect its housing to the engine. Ensure all plugs are dry, as this is the reference for a dry plug.
  3. Place the lever stick in idle position, connect the glow battery and servo cable.
  4. Switch on the transmitter.
  5. Press the SET button (using the provided special tool) while switching on the receiver. The status LED will flash green once.
  6. Move the lever stick to the position where glowing should stop (typically half to two-thirds throttle).
  7. Press the SET button. The status LED will flash green once briefly.
  8. Slowly move the stick down to idle. Observe the removed glow plug; its LED should be on.
  9. If the outside glow plug lights orange, stop the lever stick.
  10. Press the SET button. The glow plug LEDs will turn off, indicating the procedure is finished.
  11. This procedure should be repeated if a glow plug is replaced, as each plug has slight variations.
• Mounting: The electronics should be mounted with two M3-screws on a stable plate or wall, with a 60mm distance between the holes. Avoid strong vibrations, dust, water, fuel, hot air, and ambient temperatures above 50°C.
• Transport and Storage: Never leave the glow battery connected in the airplane during transport or storage, even though leakage current is minimal, for safety reasons.

Optional Accessories:

• Tool for opening glow plug connectors.
• Tool for pressing the SET button.
• LED cable for red/green ultra-bright status lighting.
• Ground cable 0.7mm², 40cm, with a 3mm eyelet.
• 2x Mounting screws M3x20mm, tooth disc, and nut, all in stainless steel.

Microsens GLOW2C Specifications