Comments - The $47 Dollar Electric PreHeater - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T08:56:13Zhttps://zenith.aero/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=2606393%3ABlogPost%3A327805&xn_auth=noJust one word of caution on a…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-21:2606393:Comment:3292412013-12-21T17:36:43.493ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Just one word of caution on all pre-heaters adapted from room electric heaters, hair dryers, etc. I had a cousin who was an engineer specializing in custom industrial air management. He told me that all the common residential heaters and blow dryers' fans and motors are not designed to "push" air against resistance from ducting not in the original design. Therefore, be very cautious in the length and diameter of your flexible ducting so as not to create too much resistance. I would not…</p>
<p>Just one word of caution on all pre-heaters adapted from room electric heaters, hair dryers, etc. I had a cousin who was an engineer specializing in custom industrial air management. He told me that all the common residential heaters and blow dryers' fans and motors are not designed to "push" air against resistance from ducting not in the original design. Therefore, be very cautious in the length and diameter of your flexible ducting so as not to create too much resistance. I would not recommend running a home-made design unattended unless it has been thoroughly tested.</p>
<p>By the way, those <a href="http://www.aircraftheaters.com/registeryour-heater#!aircraftheaters/c10my" target="_blank">"Hornet" aircraft heaters</a> are excellent, safe, and pricey! I bought an identical heater from them for an "enclosure" rather than an aircraft and it was less expensive. However, they seem to be coming out with new models all the time.</p>
<p>John</p> I use one of these heat pads…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-15:2606393:Comment:3283832013-12-15T19:41:34.819ZLouis W. Otthttps://zenith.aero/profile/LouisWOtt
<p>I use one of these heat pads on the bottom of my Corvair oil sump. It warms the entire engine after a while. Either control by thermostat or leave it on all the time when its cold out.…</p>
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<p>I use one of these heat pads on the bottom of my Corvair oil sump. It warms the entire engine after a while. Either control by thermostat or leave it on all the time when its cold out.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kats-24100-Watt-Universal-Heater/dp/B000I8VL3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387136248&sr=8-1&keywords=engine+heat+pad" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Kats-24100-Watt-Universal-Heater/dp/B000I8VL3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387136248&sr=8-1&keywords=engine+heat+pad</a></p> So I just looked at the ACS h…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3280212013-12-13T21:33:18.944ZJesse Hartmanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JesseHartman
<p>So I just looked at the ACS heater for the rotax....... 400.00 WTF are you kidding me.</p>
<p>So I just looked at the ACS heater for the rotax....... 400.00 WTF are you kidding me.</p> Oh, ;ther box on the floor is…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3280962013-12-13T21:15:09.789ZDan Stantonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DanStanton
<p>Oh, ;ther box on the floor is a milkhouse thermostat, stick it under the cowel</p>
<p>Oh, ;ther box on the floor is a milkhouse thermostat, stick it under the cowel</p> I have been using this setup…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3280952013-12-13T21:13:40.895ZDan Stantonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DanStanton
<p>I have been using this setup for several years without any problems. IO360. VW Viking.</p>
<p>It woarks very well. It is turned on right now for dounuts in the morning.</p>
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<p>Dan</p>
<p>I have been using this setup for several years without any problems. IO360. VW Viking.</p>
<p>It woarks very well. It is turned on right now for dounuts in the morning.</p>
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<p>Dan</p> tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3279432013-12-13T21:11:31.597ZDan Stantonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DanStanton
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170994373?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170994373?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170994373?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170994373?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p> Its -20C here these days. Eve…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3278372013-12-13T12:14:06.108ZBob McDonaldhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BobMcDonald
<p>Its -20C here these days. Even if you insulated the delivery hose your ability to heat the engine is reduced to ineffective. Remember the colder the air is outside the less "hot" the heater will be able to raise the inlet air. Break the Bank and buy a Rieff ROTAX 912 heater from Aircraft Spruce. It is a 100 watt element epoxied to bottom of engine block, and a 50 watt heater in a gear clamp style around the oil tank. Oil tank element is supervised by a thermostat to prevent over heating...NO…</p>
<p>Its -20C here these days. Even if you insulated the delivery hose your ability to heat the engine is reduced to ineffective. Remember the colder the air is outside the less "hot" the heater will be able to raise the inlet air. Break the Bank and buy a Rieff ROTAX 912 heater from Aircraft Spruce. It is a 100 watt element epoxied to bottom of engine block, and a 50 watt heater in a gear clamp style around the oil tank. Oil tank element is supervised by a thermostat to prevent over heating...NO Fire hazard. Simply plug in as you would a car engine. At -10F my engine oil is 60 degrees on start up. You can damage a Rotax engine by not preheating it correctly.</p> My wife starts her car up at…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3280022013-12-13T12:09:20.540ZJesse Hartmanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JesseHartman
<p>My wife starts her car up at 0 F and just goes. 200k on that engine.</p>
<p>My wife starts her car up at 0 F and just goes. 200k on that engine.</p> I would speculate that the co…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-13:2606393:Comment:3280692013-12-13T03:32:48.675ZBob Pustellhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BobPustell
<p>I would speculate that the core of your engine was still stone cold. It takes a long period of heating to get the crank and central sections of the case up to temp. The "short but sweet" method of pre-heating gets the oil and cylinders warm enough that the engine will start, but the heart of the engine is still stone cold. At that heart is where problems can happen -- when very cold an aluminum engine case with a steel crank can cool to zero bearing clearance due to different…</p>
<p>I would speculate that the core of your engine was still stone cold. It takes a long period of heating to get the crank and central sections of the case up to temp. The "short but sweet" method of pre-heating gets the oil and cylinders warm enough that the engine will start, but the heart of the engine is still stone cold. At that heart is where problems can happen -- when very cold an aluminum engine case with a steel crank can cool to zero bearing clearance due to different expansion/contraction rates of the two metals. Everything needs to be up to temp before start if long term damage is to be avoided. At the fairly moderate temps you describe I doubt you had problems. At the considerably cooler temps we get here in NH (6 degrees F and dropping tonight) you can damage your engine without an hours long pre-heat.</p> That's great John! Makes me w…tag:zenith.aero,2013-12-12:2606393:Comment:3278172013-12-12T23:27:17.056ZTim Garretthttps://zenith.aero/profile/TimGarrett
That's great John! Makes me want to try it. Might need a second one ducted to my coat while I wait.:)
That's great John! Makes me want to try it. Might need a second one ducted to my coat while I wait.:)