DIY Glow Plug Relay, what would you want it to do? Ideas - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yvairguy · #1 12-05-2013, 11:03 PM

OK so i repaired my glow plug relay and it worked about a couple dozen times and it's not working again, instead of messing with it anymore i am thinking about just gutting the electronics in the housing and building my own...

WHY? because i can make it do what i want. I plan on running some WVO(seems like not a lot of action on that here) and as the engine ages there are some advantages to being able to control the GP's.

If you could design your own glow plug relay what would you want to be able to do?

I want an override switch at the dash that will keep them on. maybe a push button, or a switch that will hold them in for a set time past start to help with smoking. also a timed circuit that limits the burn time to 1min like the factory relay.

I saw were someone had said separate fuses for each GP as a way to monitor if they have failed, though if they were to just fail open it wouldn't trip a fuse. but maybe a way to monitor from the dash or under the hood if a GP is or is not functioning?

Ideas Please, if i do this i don't want to overlook or not think of something that would be helpful or good to add. I plan on gutting my GPR housing but i could just as easily put it all in a job box and have it added to an existing car without removing the original relay.

Phil_F_NM · #2 12-06-2013, 02:22 AM

I put a pull starter switch from a tractor into the dash of my 300D and bypassed the relay in case it died again. This allows me to keep the GPs on for a minute or so until the idle really smooths out. As for the relay, I just keep finding them at the junkyards, cleaning the points and keeping my electrical system in order with clean grounds and good fuses.

If I were to build my own GP relay, I would just make it glow a little longer is all. That and to have an LED indicator in case of failure.

Phil Forrest

TnBob · #3 12-06-2013, 02:32 AM

an LED for each GP would be nice.
12VDC small digital meters are very cheep on ebay, maybe a sequential read ?

yvairguy · #4 12-06-2013, 02:58 AM

I was thinking too i could maybe make it to where if it was pulling x amps, x being a healthy system it shows green LED if a burned GP it would drop below the set point and glow red.

Maybe a push button in the car that every time you push it, it closes the relay for an adjustable time like a few seconds to 2 minutes... mounting switches is going to be the issue to make it look right..... or just go all steampunk and build a special panel LOL.

1project2many · #5 12-06-2013, 08:34 AM

Current controlled circuit to each glow plug. Bimetal strip (or electronic equivalent) opens circuit when warm enough. When open, indicators light to indicate each glow plug has warmed sufficiently. Pros: Compensation for variations in individual GPs, visual indication of individual plugs beginning to fail or actually failed, automatic cycling if key is left on without cranking.

Additional outputs available for electric injection line or filter heaters if desired, also current control.

Variable shunt circuit could be used to vary current, and therefore time, current is applied to GP's.

cornemuse · #6 12-06-2013, 11:54 AM

Never had probs with my MB, but on my diesel Blazer, it kept frying the glow plug controller, & at local pick & pull, they are ALWAYS gone. At $115 +-, I decided to install a switch to control the g.p. relay. Picked up (ign. switched) power to switch under dash, then its: ONE (your choice

Mississippi, one thousand, hot potato, sugarplumfairy, (<- quickly, & NOT out loud), etc, here in cold weather up to 10.

vstech · #7 12-06-2013, 12:09 PM

if I'm building a perfect glow controller, I'd want it to measure outdoor temp, and engine temp and glow accordingly... I'd want it to work off a wireless controller, and I'd want it to automatically start my car when complete cycle is reached... and pulse in the plugs during engine warm up... is a psychic link available yet?

ROLLGUY · #8 12-06-2013, 12:26 PM

I employ the KISS method for glow control when making my own system. My Mitsubishi has a fairly complicated glow system from the factory, and was problematic the day I got it. I opted for a simple relay (factory or Ford style solenoid) and pushbutton switch ($5 horn button at AZ). The horn button applies +12v to a relay that energizes the plugs. I just turn the key on, press the button for a couple seconds, and start the truck-simple. I even used the factory solenoid, but just hooked the horn button to the coil instead of the factory glow control wiring.....Rich

yvairguy · #9 12-06-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Current controlled circuit to each glow plug. Bimetal strip (or electronic equivalent) opens circuit when warm enough. When open, indicators light to indicate each glow plug has warmed sufficiently. Pros: Compensation for variations in individual GPs, visual indication of individual plugs beginning to fail or actually failed, automatic cycling if key is left on without cranking.

Additional outputs available for electric injection line or filter heaters if desired, also current control.

Variable shunt circuit could be used to vary current, and therefore time, current is applied to GP's.

bimetal would be the way to go if you would want it to cycle independently otherwise you would have to have a relay for each GP.
lights would be easy enough to do.
auto cycling would probably be better to time out after say 2 min?
additional outputs..... trying to fit this all in the original GP controller might be tough

yvairguy · #10 12-06-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornemuse

Never had probs with my MB, but on my diesel Blazer, it kept frying the glow plug controller, & at local pick & pull, they are ALWAYS gone. At $115 +-, I decided to install a switch to control the g.p. relay. Picked up (ign. switched) power to switch under dash, then its: ONE (your choice

Mississippi, one thousand, hot potato, sugarplumfairy, (<- quickly, & NOT out loud), etc, here in cold weather up to 10.

so if you had a button you could push and every time you did it would count out the mississippi's for you, like say push the button and it would cycle the GP relay for 30 seconds or whatever you set the time for

Smoker · #11 12-06-2013, 02:19 PM

For me, the only thing I'd like to see added to factory is what I think someone already mentioned, but neanderthal mode simple...(use not build:

). A test button with an output telling if all glows are good, and if not, which are bad, or marginal. From something as simple as counting led flashes to a small scroller display.

yvairguy · #12 12-06-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

if I'm building a perfect glow controller, I'd want it to measure outdoor temp, and engine temp and glow accordingly... I'd want it to work off a wireless controller, and I'd want it to automatically start my car when complete cycle is reached... and pulse in the plugs during engine warm up... is a psychic link available yet?

measure temps could be done
auto start... maybe if you could monitor the temp through the GP so once it gets to x deg it would cycle the starter...tall order another relay and a way to monitor the motor to know it's started....
instead of cycling the GP's i was thinking about a intake manifold heater

wireless and psychic link...... don't know how to do bluetooth yet, let alone the programming