Engine Preheat Systems

[Nev]

I've ordered a similar remote GSM switch fromAliExpress to try out before going any further.
Will report back how it works in due, whether it is the low cost solution it appears to be, or not.

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[alaskabearhawk]

This is interesting as I have ordered the E-Z Heat Model 540 oil sump pads to use on my BH. I have a Switcheon 2-channel box and intend on getting a cockpit heater too.

[Nev]

Very innovative!

[arborite]

IMG_1400.jpg IMG_1401.jpg Living in cold-ish country, I have tried several different types of pre heat. The Bonanza has the Reiff oil pan heater and is plugged in 8-24 hours before flight and works well. my favorite solution, though is for the cub. inside the pictured trolley is an electric heater of the oil filled type. I’m comfortable leaving this unattended 24/7 as its heating elements are all confined internally. a small computer fan pushes air up through the box to the engine compartment. with the blanket installed, the entire engine compartment stays well above 50 even on the coldest of winter days here. typical temp is over 70. and to others’ point, the temp is stable and above dew point , which is the key to fighting condensation. IMG_1402.jpg

[Utah-Jay]

Any updates from those using the Antisplat oil heater ?

Nev

I’ve not used mine yet, but one of my buddies loves his. 45 minutes and both the oil and CHT’s are near takeoff temperatures

[Nev]

Any updates from those using the Antisplat oil heater ?

[Chewie]

A friend of mine did that too. Actually he used an old wall heater from a building supply recycler and fabbed a simple plenum to it for attaching a flex duct. It looks like part of a male elephant but apparently it works great. We have no WiFi at the hangar and it's a bit of a drive to get out there, so this solution has some appeal.

[rmac]

My two cents on Reiff: I purchased the Reiff system for my Continental IO-550. The oil pan heater is fine, as far as it goes, but the cylinder bands would not fit on my engine because of a ridge around the base of the cylinder. Check your cylinders before ordering Reiff.
So, I'm living with the oil pan heater. It's plugged into a Switcheon unit so I can turn it on via cellphone a few hours before I plan to fly. (The Switcheon is a nice unit -- dead simple to use, unlike its predecessor.)

-Rick

[Luke68]

I just installed the tanis system on my o-540 because I have multiple friends that use it and all love it, a few of them leave it plugged in all winter and haven’t had any issues but they also fly fairly often.
Tanis recommends replacing the intake tube bolt with the heating element probe since it’s deep enough to engage the threads on the entire length of the probe.

[m.mooney]

I believe the Ryobi is the same basic thing. The Baja was less than $300 and is small and light. As a bonus, it’s made in China so I’m sure it will run forever….ha ha. It has been working fine for 3 plus years, hopefully it will keep on trucking. I do think my Honda 2000 will run forever but I feel like the Baja has already outperformed my longevity expectations.

[Dave Roberts]

I’ve had the stick on sump heater since the BH first flight. The key is a good engine cover. If it’s really cold I have an oil heater(as in an entry way or garage) that I built a shroud for and position under the cowl. I don’t normally fly much when it is cold. If i do the engine cover goes on immediately after shut down. Three hours at zero the engine will still be warm to the touch. There are a lot of ways to warm up an engine that work very well, but I think the key is a good insulated engine cover.

[kestrel]

It’s a Baja 700/900. Weighs around 17lbs.

I looked that up and the Baja appears to not be available anymore? I also found one from Ryobi that sure looks like the same generator in different colors. It appears to be not available yet? ...maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. All the alternatives seem to be a good deal heavier. The 1000W Honda lists at nearly 30 lbs.

[rodsmith]

Glad I started this thread, I've learned a lot and probably going a different direction. I am now thinking of going with an insulated engine cover and a twin hornet heater that will just stay plugged in during the winter months. Not sure if it is adequate if I was traveling and parked outside during serious cold, but that would be a rare occurance. Eventually I will put heat in my hangar, when I poured the slab I installed tubing for in floor heat. I'm probably going to have an external wood fired boiler for the heat supply instead of paying for natural gas.. No big deal as we heat our house with wood, just a couple more trips for firewood in the summer.

[whee]

Thanks guys. A small Honda with a kit was my plan but I’m going to checkout the Baja.

[m.mooney]

but for anyone going backcountry overnight, electric heaters are clearly of little use, so I haven't continued with it.

I’ll disagree with this. I use a small propane generator for those scenarios. Yes, 17 pounds extra weight but the Reiff is a sump and cylinder heater for a more thorough and faster preheat. I prefer this to the open flame that I previously used for off grid preheating.