I like the idea of inline heating of the SVO, but... The size of the fuse does not regulate the current in a glow plug; it only breaks the circuit once the current exceeds the fuse rating. The simple formula V=I*R is helpful here. Or turn it around to I=V/R. Measure the resistance with a good digital ohmmeter. For example, if you have 1.0 ohm on the glow plug and 13V on a battery, then the glow plug wants 13 amps. In this case, a 10A fuse would simply blow immediately. The power requirement would be 13A * 13V = 169Watts.
Another idea to consider is to use two glow plugs wired in series to reduce the power. This doubles the resistance. With P=V*I and I=V/R you get the formula P=V*V/R =13*13/2 = 85Watts. This would require 6.5Amps. Also, it was suggested by someone else that the glow plug fuel heater should be placed upstream of the fuel filter. I believe the Ford Powerstroke diesel has a heater wire in the fuel filter bowl in order to preheat the fuel. Furthermore, this fuel bowl is nestled in the V of the block and so benefits from the engine block heat. You might want to look at this concept, maybe even retro this fuel filter/heater assembly into your setup. Good luck, Rob ----------- Martin Klingensmith wrote: >Joshua wrote: > > >>>Your typical triac phase-shaping dimmer will not work on DC, this can't >>>be what they're using. >>>If it turns out that they need a control, I could make a simple one. >>> >>> >>Quite right, we're using an automotive dimmer for a heater... it's >>great, even says HEAT on it. ;) We haven't actually tested it yet, >>though, so we're not sure how low it'll get the glow plug. >> >> >> >> >>>120 watts on the small surface area of a glow plug is probably too much >>>for oil. I'm guessing about 30 watts would be decent. >>> >>> >>I'm not exactly sure about watts, but we've got it run through a 20 >>amp fuse, though we might put a 10 amp on there. >> >>Cheers, >>Joshua >> >> > >A 10 amp fuse means the current would have to stay somewhere below 13v * > 10 amps = 130 watts. 20 amps would be less than 260 watts. >Let us know how it works our for you. > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
