MONTY THE ANSWER MAN ARCHIVE... WINTER
OPERATIONS
BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE...
From Swifter DON DUKE,
Ohio. 6JAN97
I have preheated my 0-360 a couple of times this winter thus far using
a simple 1200W hairdryer. I placed the dryer up through the cowl flap,
and set it against the exhaust manifold. I found that continuous recirculation
of air within the cowl back through the dryer results in a very warm environment
that develops rapidly. My Electronics Inc. 'Smart Scanner' shows oil temp
increases of approximately 6 degrees every 15 minutes. Inside cowl temp
rises to 85+ degrees when outside air temp is around freezing. I was suspicous
that I might only be warming the sending probe or lines, but close monitoring
of oil temp after start up revealed no 'after drop' as oil begins to circulate.
This may not be the most efficient way to get the job done, but it sure
is easy.
MICROWAVE UNTIL DONE...
From Swifter HORST BRINKER,
New Mexico. 7JAN97
I read about preheating with a hair dryer. Living here in Las Cruces,
I've found that it gets just cold enough to make the starting hard because
the fuel won't vaporize in the cylinders. ( At least I think that's the
trouble). On those frosty 32 degree mornings, I'll soak a stack of news
papers in the sink for about 20 minutes. Then I'll put a stack about 3
inches thick into one of those grocery store plastic bags. Next I nuke
it in the microwave until it gets nice and steamy. Usually about 5 minutes
at 3/4 power. I'll make 2 packs like that and carry them to the airport
in a cooler. I pop them on top of my cylinders while I preflight. When
I'm ready to fly, the plane starts much more easily. I don't have electricity
in my hangar.
WHO ARE WE TO ARGUE WITH "AVIATION CONSUMER"... (020101)
Subj: Preheaters
From: Bob Reiff <Reiff@execpc.com>
Hello Monty, From your archive:
<"Jerry, The best engine preheater is a Tanis. They make one tailored
for the O-300. Sorry, I don't remember the price, but its fairly expensive.
">
Our growth rate of over 50% per year indicates to me that many folks disagree
with your opinion (including Aviation Consumer). Tanis does make a very
good system, but ours has several advantages and is not nearly as expensive.
Could be you are not aware of our HotBandd system on the market since
1996. . We've been running a 1/3 pg ad in Trade-A-Plane and AOPA Pilot
since 1996. There are 2 or 3 magazine reviews on our web site. Cirrus
and Aviat have our system on their options list. See our web site for
more info. Regards, Bob Reiff, Reiff Preheat Systems, (
http://www.reiffpreheat.com )
Bob,
No I was not aware of your system. I'm sure it's a good one. Perhaps Denis
will publish your letter and some of the Swift guys will try it and give
me a report. -- Jim
A PLUG FOR UNPLUGGED...(030301)
Subj: Tanis heater
From: Paul Barger <PJBarger@mediaone.net>
Monty,
In cold weather climates is it permissible to leave a Lyc IO-360 plugged
in for extended periods of time?? I have heard moisture can be a problem
others think it's perfectly acceptable. Any thoughts?? Paul Barger N3729K
Paul
If you leave it plugged in all the time you will definitely get condensation
in the engine and accelerated wear. The EAA in their Vintage Airplane
magazine has just had articles on this. -- Jim |