Glow Devices

Want to know more about the glow devices for ships and boats?

A marine diesel engine has electric glow plugs that help the engine of your ship or boat start when cold. A diesel engine uses self-ignition by compressing air and fuel.

Just before the pressure is at its highest and the piston is at the top, fuel is injected by an injector and the ignition process begins. Because the engine is still very cold after a standstill, it needs some help. Then the glow plug helps to preheat the chamber. The temperature in the combustion chamber has to be high enough for good ignition. A glow plug is located in the combustion chamber of the engine and is made of high quality material.

While a conventional spark plug creates a spark, this is not the case with a glow pin or glow coil. The ignition works differently because the combustion chamber is preheated. The light on the dashboard often indicates when preheating is complete.

This is a useful invention in modern diesel technology, but in practice you want to be able to check whether everything works properly when there is a problem. With a multimeter you can measure the resistance, measure the voltage and check the connection (for example whether the glow relay switch on the dashboard is connected correctly). Check the circuit all the way to the end and measure again if in doubt: this way you can measure the glow plugs in a targeted way. The application differs per brand and model and is not always standard. It is important that you count the right number of glow plugs and work with the correct specifications. So always take your engine variant, availability (stock) and prices into account.

Replacing glow plugs on a marine engine yourself

Replace a glow plug as soon as it fails. This can occur, for example, due to wear. If you wait too long, a glow plug can break off. In the worst case, this can lead to serious damage. This is especially true if your boat sometimes has difficulty starting, you will often notice it immediately.

To find out if a glow plug is broken and how to replace it, read: How to test and replace glow plugs in the diesel engine of my ship or boat.

Buy a glow plug (glow pin) for your boat

Is a glow plug broken or defective? Easily buy your glow plug online at AB Marine Service at competitive prices and with fast delivery, depending on stock availability. For each product, you will find the part number and specifications such as brand, version, diameter and length (and voltage where applicable). You can add the desired product directly to the shopping cart. In addition to glow plugs, you will also find other products for your marine engine. Need help or have questions? We are here for you. Feel free to contact our customer service and you will receive a quick response.