Low Cruise Temps - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T09:21:44Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/low-cruise-temps?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks for the feedback. The…tag:zenith.aero,2021-02-15:2606393:Comment:8176722021-02-15T13:35:03.698ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>Thanks for the feedback. The Viking View uses its own water temp sensor in the same place where you have your GRT sensor so no repositioning is possible. It seems the best solution is insulating the area. Attached are a couple of before and after photos of my insulating effort. It seems that this is the best solution for the most accurate readings. I'm wondering now if my summer time temps were not accurate due to this airflow cooling effect. The highest I saw my water temp go on aggressive…</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. The Viking View uses its own water temp sensor in the same place where you have your GRT sensor so no repositioning is possible. It seems the best solution is insulating the area. Attached are a couple of before and after photos of my insulating effort. It seems that this is the best solution for the most accurate readings. I'm wondering now if my summer time temps were not accurate due to this airflow cooling effect. The highest I saw my water temp go on aggressive extended climbs was 210, but was it really higher than that? I plan on keeping that insulation in place in the summer to see if it makes a difference. I do fly mine throughout the year, so far the coldest has been 2 degs F.</p> I forgot to reply about the V…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-30:2606393:Comment:8096772021-01-30T00:50:06.999ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>I forgot to reply about the Viking heater - I've got my cabin pretty sealed up and have found the Viking heater does pretty well at keeping it relatively warm, although I need to make some airflow directors to bring the heat more forward instead of straight down as it does now. I can't imagine flying with temps in the 'teens or below without some sort of cabin heat!</p>
<p>I forgot to reply about the Viking heater - I've got my cabin pretty sealed up and have found the Viking heater does pretty well at keeping it relatively warm, although I need to make some airflow directors to bring the heat more forward instead of straight down as it does now. I can't imagine flying with temps in the 'teens or below without some sort of cabin heat!</p> Eric,
I have the Cruzer with…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-30:2606393:Comment:8095252021-01-30T00:41:41.608ZSteven M Brayhttps://zenith.aero/profile/StevenMBray
<p>Eric,</p>
<p>I have the Cruzer with Viking 130 in Arkansas. I haven't used the cabin heat much as I'm flying on good days right now and with just about any sunlight on cold days the cabin stays reasonably warm due to the greenhouse effect of all those windows. I have turned it on a few times on cold days though and noticed a slight temp increase around the feet, but not much else. On a long XC that might be of significance, but I have enough drafts that the overall cabin temp isn't affected…</p>
<p>Eric,</p>
<p>I have the Cruzer with Viking 130 in Arkansas. I haven't used the cabin heat much as I'm flying on good days right now and with just about any sunlight on cold days the cabin stays reasonably warm due to the greenhouse effect of all those windows. I have turned it on a few times on cold days though and noticed a slight temp increase around the feet, but not much else. On a long XC that might be of significance, but I have enough drafts that the overall cabin temp isn't affected much.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I don't preheat. My wife drives a Honda Fit with the same engine and neither of us has never had any cold-start issues.</p>
<p></p> No preheat as my plane is in…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-29:2606393:Comment:8096032021-01-29T22:19:51.889ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>No preheat as my plane is in a heated hangar (60 degs F). If I were in an unheated hangar I would not bother with any sort of pre-heat since the Viking uses 0w-20 oil which flows well in the coldest of temps. I mean, how often would you pre-heat your car? I might consider pre-heat if the temps were consistently -15F or below.</p>
<p>No preheat as my plane is in a heated hangar (60 degs F). If I were in an unheated hangar I would not bother with any sort of pre-heat since the Viking uses 0w-20 oil which flows well in the coldest of temps. I mean, how often would you pre-heat your car? I might consider pre-heat if the temps were consistently -15F or below.</p> Hello Phil,
I have the Zenith…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-29:2606393:Comment:8094372021-01-29T21:58:11.549ZEric Paulsonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/EricPaulson
<p>Hello Phil,</p>
<p>I have the Zenith Cruzer with the Viking 130 in Wisconsin. Two questions: do you pre-heat the engine when below freezing and how did the Viking cabin heater work for you in the cold temps?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hello Phil,</p>
<p>I have the Zenith Cruzer with the Viking 130 in Wisconsin. Two questions: do you pre-heat the engine when below freezing and how did the Viking cabin heater work for you in the cold temps?</p>
<p></p> Our 750 STOL w/ Viking 130 ha…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-28:2606393:Comment:8090382021-01-28T22:06:47.198ZLoren Warnerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/LorenWarner
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our 750 STOL w/ Viking 130 has a Warp Drive prop with small spinner. We also have 1/2 to 3/4" space around the spinner. Our engine has two coolant temperature sensors, and both plug into the same casting. One is for the ECU, and the other is for our GRT EIS. Our EIS sensor is screwed into a plug further behind the gearbox. <br></br><br></br>Not sure if the Viking View uses the same sensor as the ECU, but if it does, and that's what your using, then perhaps…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our 750 STOL w/ Viking 130 has a Warp Drive prop with small spinner. We also have 1/2 to 3/4" space around the spinner. Our engine has two coolant temperature sensors, and both plug into the same casting. One is for the ECU, and the other is for our GRT EIS. Our EIS sensor is screwed into a plug further behind the gearbox. <br/><br/>Not sure if the Viking View uses the same sensor as the ECU, but if it does, and that's what your using, then perhaps relocating the sensor to the other plug behind the gearbox would help.<br/><br/>We've operated our engine on the ground at low rpms for tests with 18ºF ambient temperatures, and the coolant temperature settled around 175ºF. Since we typically lay up the aircraft during the winter months, it's never been flown when this cold. <br/><br/>We've also pulled our thermostat a few times for testing and modifications. Very simple to do. Assuming you have the same thermostat, it's set to be open at 172.4ºF.</span></p> If it were mine, I'd verify t…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-28:2606393:Comment:8091272021-01-28T18:28:37.776ZLoren Warnerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/LorenWarner
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If it were mine, I'd verify the accuracy of the sensor, and test the thermostat.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If it were mine, I'd verify the accuracy of the sensor, and test the thermostat.</span></p> The thermostat will hold it a…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-28:2606393:Comment:8091772021-01-28T14:31:16.159ZJan Eggenfellnerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JanEggenfellner
<p>The thermostat will hold it at 180F, so whatever you see less than that is due to air flow over the sensor housing. For the instrument and the ECU to see more accurate temperature blocking the sensor housing from the incoming air would be a good move. With the type of cowling with type of spinner you have it cools that housing even more. </p>
<p>The thermostat will hold it at 180F, so whatever you see less than that is due to air flow over the sensor housing. For the instrument and the ECU to see more accurate temperature blocking the sensor housing from the incoming air would be a good move. With the type of cowling with type of spinner you have it cools that housing even more. </p> So I ziptied a rag around the…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-27:2606393:Comment:8087462021-01-27T18:49:13.326ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>So I ziptied a rag around the temp sensor & housing and just took it for a test flight. Level cruise 2500' at 4800 RPM/105 kts @ 14 degs F and the water temp was a solid 169 degs (gearbox temp was 98 degs). Climb temp maxed at 190. So, it looks like those are more normal temps (or are they?) and I should probably install a permanent sensor insulation of some type. Makes me wonder if the higher climb temps of 210 I was seeing during warm weather was actually higher than that. </p>
<p>I…</p>
<p>So I ziptied a rag around the temp sensor & housing and just took it for a test flight. Level cruise 2500' at 4800 RPM/105 kts @ 14 degs F and the water temp was a solid 169 degs (gearbox temp was 98 degs). Climb temp maxed at 190. So, it looks like those are more normal temps (or are they?) and I should probably install a permanent sensor insulation of some type. Makes me wonder if the higher climb temps of 210 I was seeing during warm weather was actually higher than that. </p>
<p>I have the DUC prop with the inset spinner & ~3/4" space all around the spinner. Anyone else with that setup seeing similar temps?</p> Seems to me, even if the ambi…tag:zenith.aero,2021-01-26:2606393:Comment:8084752021-01-26T22:08:19.288ZLoren Warnerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/LorenWarner
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seems to me, even if the ambient temperature is 21F, the engine's thermostat should be regulating the coolant temperature to within normal operating limits. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seems to me, even if the ambient temperature is 21F, the engine's thermostat should be regulating the coolant temperature to within normal operating limits. </span></p>