The Hobbico Accu-Glo power panel automatically adjusts glow-plug power
based on the plug's power requirements. This helps a slightly flooded
engine (not one hydraulically locked) start. The panel also indicates
the field-box battery's power levels, indicates whether or not the glow
plug is good, and has a charging jack for the popular rechargeable
single-cell glow igniters.
The basic Hobbico panel has the glow igniter's charging jack, but the
pilot must manually adjust the glow plug's power levels and know that a
zero meter reading means the plug connection is bad.
The power panel supplies the battery's full voltage—usually 12 volts—to
the starter and fuel-pump connections. Power panels are usually supplied
with the "banana plug" connectors for the starter.
Some pilots prefer to wire the fuel pump directly into the rear of the
power panel. Although that works fine, I suggest that you use additional
banana plugs to connect the fuel pump. Pulling the plugs at the end of
the day prevents accidental pump operation during packing up or transit.
Click on photo to view large image with caption
The close-up photo shows a typical fuel-pump/fuel-container
installation. If you look carefully, you will see that the Sullivan
Streamer's power leads are stapled in a position away from the fuel
container. Although electrical shorts usually only pose a problem when a
metal fuel container is used, it never hurts to be extra careful. Being
extra careful, I used two layers of shrink tubing to protect the pump's
wires in the stapled area. An additional precaution would be to use an
insulated staple.
The pump is positioned on the outside of the field box to prevent its
being knocked around as tools are taken out and replaced from the box's
inner storage areas. While lowering the pump's workload by reducing the
fuel-draw distance to a minimum, this position also protects the fuel
lines from cuts and nicks that could result in leaks. Electrical shorts
from the pump itself cannot penetrate the pump's plastic housing.
Besides, the pump and fuel lines always contain internal fuel, so if the
pump does somehow short internally, its position near the fuel bottle is
a moot point because the ignition will just travel along the lines until
it reaches the bottle. Fortunately glow fuel does not behave like
gasoline.
If you plan to use gasoline, or a metal glow-fuel container, position
the fuel pump on the other side of the box, on the internal wall
opposite the power panel. I do not recommend either with an electric
pump anyway.
