Reiff Cellular Remote Control

[romair]

Since winter is almost here in Texas,  I was looking for various engine pre-heating options. The Reiff system is most likely what I will go with, and interestingly enough they also have a Cellular Remote Control. I think this is a very similar product to the switchbox advertised here on the forums, but way cheaper. Anyone have any pireps or opinions about it?

 

http://www.reiffpreheat.com/GSM-SWITCH.htm

 

Thanks

Stefan

[carusoam]

Phillip offers a superior product and support, a phone number, and emails, which i have used.

---------

The other guys offer this... (direct from their web site)

Technical Support

WE DO NOT PROVIDE ANY TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THIS PRODUCT.

Warranty

WE DO NOT PROVIDE ANY WARRANTY FOR THIS PRODUCT. In the unlikely event that your unit does fail, you may return it to us and buy another one for $89.

Return Policy

ALL SALES OF THIS ITEM ARE FINAL, NO RETURNS ACCEPTED.

------

Roll your dice, move your mice....

This just sounds like gambling.

That's not comfortable enough for flying.

Maybe it's their sense of humor. My airplane and a hangar full of others' depend on more than being funny.

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

Stefan -- the stuff Antony is pointing out is sobering. Sounds like if you have any problems with it, you are on your own. I bought the switchbox from Phillip and I am happy with it and the support he has provided (answered questions on usage and how to replace a SIm card).

 

I also like the Switchbox app. Makes it nice to activate it.

[Guest]

Thanks guys

A Group of 20x is shipping out this week if anyone wants to get on the batch shipping today.

P

[TWinter]

Another vote for Phillip's "Switchbox". Second season with it and no problems.

[DS1980]

Just a question about these remote heaters:

 

Why don't pilots just pay the linesman at the FBO $5 to go plug in the heater? Seems like a lot less hassle. Unless you don't trust somebody alone with your airplane, and I understand that.

[Marauder]

Just a question about these remote heaters: Why don't pilots just pay the linesman at the FBO $5 to go plug in the heater? Seems like a lot less hassle. Unless you don't trust somebody alone with your airplane, and I understand that.

LOL! What lineman?

[rbridges]

Another vote for Phillip's "Switchbox". Second season with it and no problems.

 

 

I didn't buy the switchbox, but I did buy one of his portable AC units.  Very good with responding to emails and answering questions.  

[Guest]

Thanks guys, appreciate the nice words.

 

We got almost 750x pilots setup with the SwitchBox/IceBox last year and I think this season its going to be a lot more.

[DS1980]

LOL! What lineman?

The one that fuels the airplanes. I worked as one for a while before joining the Air Force and would gladly do something like this. I guess N/A if no FBO at the airport.

[Hank]

The one that fuels the airplanes. I worked as one for a while before joining the Air Force and would gladly do something like this. I guess N/A if no FBO at the airport.

We sort of have an FBO, but I am my own lineman because nobody else is around to do it. And when needed, the Switchbox can travel with me and my lightweight 100' extension cord.

When my plane is moved, it's me on the towbar; when she gets gassed up, it's me swiping my CC, grounding the plane and pulling out the fuel hose; when she gets cleaned, it's my arms that are tired. Wanna come visit and earn a few tips? I'll say Please.

[DS1980]

Washed enough airplanes for a lifetime. Was a crew chief in the AF. You'd be surprised how many nooks and crannies an F-22 has.

[bumper]

I have a SwitchBox too, no problems so far - - except it really should have LED pilot lights to indicate output status - I added them I have it mounted up 24' high in my hangar with extension cords that pull down for two aircraft. 

 

That said, and disregarding all the forum loyalty to Phillip's SwitchBox for a moment, if you search <GSM switch> on eBay, they can be had for $44 (including free shipping) - - not much of a gamble there . . . even has 3 separate outputs.

 

bumper

[SkyBound]

I have the cell switch from Reiff.  I purchased it with my heating system at Oshkosh this summer.  I have only had a chance to use it a few times this year thus far.  I got a pay as you go plan with T-Mobile for it.  It was very easy to set-up and configure with just a few text message commands.  The switch and the heating system work great.  I am really pleased and would recommend it.

 

--Alex

[BobAustin]

Just ordered a Feiff heater for my IO550 Missile but since I am on Verizon I have no Sim card.

How do I use the Reiff cell unit ?

[Marauder]

Bob - the SIM card in the Switchbox works independently of any cellular service you may have for your phone. My personal phone is on Verizon, my work cell is AT&T and the SIM card is t-Mobile. The same holds true for the Reiff switch being discussed here. The SIM card will have its own telephone number.

[Guest]

I went through these with my own plane, thats why I started SwitchBox. 2x plugs, PreActivated, Custom Firmware and Antenna.

The Witura Factory in Malaysia is the maker of the GSM-Auto/Reiff Switch etc.

 

We got an order yesterday from a Mooney guy in Canada that couldnt get the Witura Factory/Reiff switch to work (GSM-Auto).

Ours is not using the electronics or logic from the ebay devices.

 

This season we're endorsed by Tanis so its a similar setup, but they dont provide the customer service, warranty, etc... we provide all of that direct from us.

P
 

[PTK]

We got an order yesterday from a Mooney guy in Canada that couldnt get the Witura Factory/Reiff switch to work (GSM-Auto). Ours is not using the electronics or logic from the ebay devices.

 

 

Phil, could you please post the name of the fellow in Canada who allegedly "couldn't get it to work" ?

 

Also can you tell us why you think he had trouble? 

 

And how is yours different?

[Guest]

I wont post anything publicly against a competitor product

 

We get orders like this all the time. Asking what the difference is between SwitchBox and GsmAuto/Witura/Ebay $30 devices, etc.

There are a few here in my workshop that we stress test and keep for reference.

 

The difference between the Witura Factory and my product is a different circuit board, relays, bus bar, PCB trace capacity and then the 2x outlets, SIM card and antenna differences.

 

And we're offering 24/7 customer support, Apple/Android Apps and 30-day return policy and Warranty

P

[PTK]

I didnt really ask what was wrong, but we get orders like this all the time.

Don't you feel this is important info to know, Phil, before you slam another product similar to yours but at much less cost? Unless of course, your intent is to slam the other product.

It's a GSM device with a sim card and its own number that is called or texted.

How is yours different?

[Guest]

N910BU, I dont mean to slam any product similar or disimilar to mine.

 

Just saying that we've received many orders from competitor's devices over the last few years.

 

I posted above some of the technical details which were the reason my company did not invest in Witura or the GSM-Auto

P
 

[Hank]

It appears that the big differences between Phillips product [disclaimer:--I own one, and have never used the cheap model being discussed] is that Phillip provides the following items that the competitor does not:

1. a product that works
2. a warranty in case of problems
3. FREE Apple & Android apps to use instead of a phone call
4. customer service
5. quick responses
6. he actually follows up after making a sale

But it's your money, spend it how you want. I'm satisfied with my purchase, the only time it hasn't worked is when I have forgotten to plug it in.

[bnicolette]

Hey guys i have a Reiff heating system but i just leave it plugged in all the time which Reiff says is safe to do. Is this something that i shouldn't do? Thx for any input

[aaronk25]

Hey guys i have a Reiff heating system but i just leave it plugged in all the time which Reiff says is safe to do. Is this something that i shouldn't do? Thx for any input

I live in MN and leave mine plugged in 24/7 Nov-March and my black stone oil analysis has "zero" moisture content. I use only cowl plugs, which my guess is the cowl air is 70 degrees. I think there might be a issue if cowl plugs weren't used as it may create a issue of condensation in the engine when it gets really cold out'. Just a guess though.

Oh ya and I have a air wolf oil separator to, which is supposedly supposed to rust my engine out too just like leaving it plugged in 24/7. Lot of old fairy tails......

[mike_elliott]

Hey guys i have a Reiff heating system but i just leave it plugged in all the time which Reiff says is safe to do. Is this something that i shouldn't do? Thx for any input

 

For years, I had run my sump heat pad 24/7 when the temps got down to 40. I would plug it in right after shutdown while everything is toasty and keep it that way until I was ready to use it again. Oil samples were always fine. I put a blanket over the cowl and cowl plugs in along with a closed loop engine dehumidifier.

 

No issues of corrosion.

 

Now I don't do it, because It just doesn't get that cold where I now live