Glow Plug Amperage?

[BAD ORCA]

I need to put a solenoid into my glow plug circuit and have no idea how many amps glow plugs draw on a 4 cylinder diesel?

Im looking at a Cole Hersee 12 v 85 amp solenoid. I cant imagine glow plugs use more than that but want to double check.

[Wotname]

I guess it depends on the size of the engine and the particular glow plug.

The few I am familiar with draw about 8 amps each.

If you have the part number of the glow plug, I'm sure google will have an accurate figure.

[Tupaia]

Check the size of the Mega fuse in the glow plug circuit. It is typically 80amps for 4 cylinder.

[fourlyons]

All the glow plugs I have measured over the years, mostly Bosch, would draw 8-10 amps each.

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by Wotname

I guess it depends on the size of the engine and the particular glow plug.

The few I am familiar with draw about 8 amps each.

If you have the part number of the glow plug, I'm sure google will have an accurate figure.

thanks, cant find that info. 1980 engine. still looking but 85 amp solenoid sounds like it will be more than enough.

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

Check the size of the Mega fuse in the glow plug circuit. It is typically 80amps for 4 cylinder.

thanks, its not fused but i will definitely be adding one.

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by fourlyons

All the glow plugs I have measured over the years, mostly Bosch, would draw 8-10 amps each.

good to know. this seems to jibe with what ive been finding on many other forums as well. might be time to get a clamp on multi-meter.

[Wotname]

Given that all glow plugs perform the same job which is to provide the same amount heat by simple resistance, it stands to reason they will draw about the same amount current.

So for the OP, 40 amps is going to be in the ball park and the Cole Hersee 12 v 85 amp solenoid will provide plenty of head room. That would be my choice.

[GordMay]

Glow Plugs can vary between a range of 0.6 to 2.0 ohm/each.
Using Ohms Law [I = E ÷ R] that works out to a min. of 6 amps [12V ÷ 2 Ω] to a max of 20 amps [12 ÷ 0.6], per plug.
The total parallel circuit current equals the sum of the individual branch currents.
Since Itotal=IR1+IR2+IR3 ...
For a 2 cylinder engine Itotal = 12A to 40A maximum
For a 3 cylinder engine Itotal = 18A to 60A maximum
For a 4 cylinder engine Itotal = 24A to 80A maximum