RCATS Glow Driver

I like that “resistor” Ken…. Varying lengths and gauges of wire can make fine
resistors    

I’m still stuck on D cells in parallel but works good for me…

"Expensive" yes, but quality costs. Doubt if I would ever buy one, I'm hooked on my Tower Hobbies power panel. 12V motorcycle battery power has lasted for years. I gave up on D cells Robert. They are expensive anymore, but for a long time they were my go-to's.

My flying partner has bought I believe at least 5 ni starters since I purchased my RCAT. Ni-Starters aren't worth the molecules they take up on this planet.  Those have to be at least $20 a pop. He's bought dozens of those Hobbico 1.5 hobby batteries which are the size of 6 volt lantern batteries. He couples them so every time he would buy batteries , he was buying two at $9 a piece. I would tell him all the time about the RCAT. He doesn't listen but he borrows mine constantly. He paid for all the other useless crap and could've bought the best from the start. If your flying stunt and you want to be serious, you need a battery that works, you need something that tells you the plug is or isn't working. You have 8 minutes to get the plane from start to finish, you can't be fiddle farting on the ground.

         The other thing about power panels is that they don't light off cold plugs very well. They do it better than D cells but not as good as a RCAT does. Glow plugs are becoming ridiculously expensive. This ignitor constantly reads the voltage in and out monitoring the system. It allows the plugs to last longer as it slowly ramps them up and it will also burn off a flooded engine. My biggest complaint about the RCAT is the case, it breaks easily and it's important to keep spares on hand. In addition, the protective case needs to be modified to accommodate the charging jack otherwise you need to remove it out of the case everytime which can break it. My suggestion to anyone who wants good service from a RCAT is to cover the entire front display with clear packing tape prior to installing in the protective case. The plastic used is quite brittle but the tape offers it great durability even in the cold.

ohhh, i like the packing tape idea

I spend about 20 mins with Michael at his place discussing it
remembering it is a "side business" and hobby? yeah, he gets it, the plastic in the cases are a weak point

We discussed using a strain relief where the cord exits the case, and a better designed rubber "outer case"
maybe moles, or some other quick swap plug, to go from Cox to "modern"

but? all improvements make the price go up

I scoffed, I hemmed and hawed, $125 is a lot. but? the first time.I used it? I knew, 100% knew, I was done. no more D batteries, etc. having the feedbakc on how the glow element is working? yeah, thats the stuff there!