RNA1057 Glow Plug Upgrade Kit

Week 44, Christmas decorations and ads have already started. Too soon I say.

Replaced glow plugs on Lump over the weekend. These are used to pre-heat diesel engine cylinders prior to starting in cold weather. I used an Upgrade kit RNA1057 from Rovers North. I meant to start with the hardest first, but I wanted to make sure the replacements would actually fit so I changed the easiest one first. The old glow plugs were wired in series, so if any went bad, none would operate, whereas the new glow plugs operate in parallel, so if one goes bad the remainder continue to operate. That is, until all fail.

 I also replaced the ballast resister for the glow plugs. I was expecting it to have been attached to the bulkhead with bolts, which meant I would have had to open up the dash, but it was just screws. Was very happy about that. The directions that came with the conversion kit said the ballast resistor still gets used. Diagram was not clear which terminal the new plugs were to be connected to. I later brushed liquid electricial tape on the terminal connectors of the connecting wires to keep the wire ends from corroding.

 The old glow plugs required a different socket than the new ones and I did not have that size. I had a wrench that fit, but not enough clearance to use it on 2 of the four glow plugs. So now I have a brand new 18mm socket. FYI, most of the old glow plug center terminals broke off while trying to remove the old connecting wires.

With the old glow plugs the light would be dim and at some point it stopped being lit at all. Now it is really bright. The light is wired across the ballast resistor which means that the resistor and the glow plugs are acting as a voltage divider circuit. I am not sure of the operating voltage of the glow plugs so I will have to call Rovers North for their guidance.

Current Blooms:
There seems to be a deficit of blooms at this time, I'll have to rectify that situation. Some of the Heather will bloom soon, but that is all apart from the roses. Not that much interesting foliage either, just the cyclamen.

Beers in the Fridge:
This Guinness (4.2 % ABV) does not have the widget inside, but it is not bad, though I prefer the cans with the widget. I like to watch the bubbles dancing in the glass.

Picked up this hefeweizen (UFO Raspberry 4.8% ABV), but was really looking for Harpoon Flannel Friday. Both brewed at the same place. Maybe I'll find some this week.