Cub Special Ed
Registered User
MT/SD
Its that time of year for engine preheating to begin. I was wondering if you folks could share your ideas on engine preheating in the backcountry. i.e. portable heaters and such.
A Honda 1000w generator to run (high output) cylinder bands and oil sump heater works wonders with a cowling cover, even on a 6 cylinder!
My winter flying buddy takes a honda 2000 in his 185, plugging into that is my favorite way to pre heat:lol: I have a MSR stove that I carry as survival gear so in the winter I add the pre-heat hood/scat tube. I have also used a propane black cat heater with same hood. I have two red dragons, and a few of the old white gas heaters. Lots of ways to skin the cat. Low output heaters are going to take a long time to do the job when it is real cold. One old pilot said he would put his white gas catalytic heater under the cowl/blanket when he went in for the night and in the morning everything was warm.
DENNY
White gas fueled catalytics work but make lots of water...water that turns to frost when it hits cold which can freeze engine controls and fill the cockpit with a winter wonderland if the heater valve isn't closed and any leaks are present.
Gary
Hard to beat a small generator and electric heater like (https://www.amazon.com/Zerostart-Temro-2600900-Interior-Warmer/dp/B000NM73ZA). Instant heat if needed to do repairs or spend the night in the plane. Start the engine once in awhile and keep covered otherwise. Lots of free fuel available too. Also take a small solid state 5-10 amp battery charger to keep it topped off and warmed up a little. I usually take the battery out of the plane and keep them charged and warm until needed.
Gary
Gary were using the smart logic solidstate lightweight Cteck battery chargers ring connected to Oddessy batteries (that perform real well cold soaked). The Cteck is inline with Reiff and external 115v plug outside cowl cover. Plug in Honda or other AC and Cteck is smart logic on battery while Reiff does engine. I run Magnum XP bands, 2 sump pads and oil cooler pad on my Reiff. Honda 1000 pulls it all fine. Don’t forget 0-20w full synthetic oil for Honda if it’s cold soaked and your starting it much below -10F. And breather tube heater for Honda so crank seals don’t blow.
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Good info! I have a cold weather CTEK MUS 4.3 (https://smartercharger.com/battery-chargers/#CTEK MUS 4.3 POLAR) I use for about everything summer and winter (got to keep the Harley battery happy too). Sealed AGM batteries need higher voltage at times to take a full charge. The Honda electric breather heater mod does work best but I've gotten by with covering the short rubber breather tube from the engine to intake with foam pipe insulation to hold the heat.
I think what would eventually be good here would be to list by component all the stuff you folks have invented just like you did above so pilots sourcing parts have an ides what to look for and how to install it. Total electrical demand for the system should also be noted. I use EU2000 gens (1600W rated) but if a EU1000 will drive the heater/charger system then all the better.
Edit: I have an AGM batt in my Taylorcraft and indeed it does crank well when cold. Another cold weather suggestion are those type of batteries.
Gary
Going on toooo much here but I've had luck in real cold putting the generator in an open box or container. Open top or at least vent holes...play with a design either solid or folding. When contained the engine's cooling system doesn't overcool the unit and wind and drifting snow can be somewhat excluded. They are jetted for fuel flow at reasonable temps but in real cold they'll run lean and that's not best for engine life. Blowing snow can eventually frost up the oiled air filter element and carb's internals.
There's also an extended time run fuel cap adapter available for the 1000/2000 Hondas: https://www.fgtmotorsport.com/products/extended-run-gas-cap-for-honda-eu-series-generators
Gary
Take it to your local laundry mat......at night! I used to wash winter horse blankets that way. If they catch you, you’ll find a nasty note on the front door the next time you come back prohibiting the washing of horse blankets.All great ideas. Im definatly liking a couple so far. Keep em coming. Im afraid a generators too big. On a side note, any of you know how to wash those heavy engine blankets? Thanks again.
White gas fueled catalytics work but make lots of water...water that turns to frost when it hits cold which can freeze engine controls and fill the cockpit with a winter wonderland if the heater valve isn't closed and any leaks are present.
Gary