Power connector for engine preheater

[Emmet]

Hello,

I am considering the installation of a Reiff system on my Mooney and looking for experiences where to put the power connector so that it can be easily accessed.

Pictures would be great..

Thanks for your help!

Emmet

[MooneyBob]

I Access my power cord through the oil dipstick door. I don't have installed the a plug.

[timpercarpio]

We had a '78J with the plug attached to the oil dipstick and our present '80J has the plug coming out of the left cowl flap. The oil dipstick was easier to get to and the one I would recommend. Both of these airplane already had the heater installed. We also use the SwitchBox to send a text to turn it on and off. Sorry, no pictures.

[Emmet]

... and how did you fix the cord? With a clamp on the oil filler tube?

[MooneyBob]

Same here. Power cord attached to the oil dipstick body with about 6" slack. I use the cell phone remote switch from Reiff and it costs only $98 when bought together. Works great. I turn it on night before. It sends TXT about it's status or power outage.

[timpercarpio]

I think ours was attached with zip ties with no slack so it was rigid.

[M20F]

Zip tie onto oil filler tube here as well

[Emmet]

Just took a look at a picture of the engine. Looks like a very good solution to me :-)

Thanks

[aaronk25]

Ok but leave yourself some slack so the male end of the plug can come out of the oil door 2-3" so you can connect the extension cord OUTSIDE of the cowl. This is the way I had mine but at engine change my mechanic secured the plugin tight to the dip stick with no slack which means only one hand will fit in the dip stick access port. Ever tried connecting a extension cord with one hand??? Especially at -10f??? Next to Impossible.

I want to change this but sure enough he didn't put the slack near the dip stick he routed the power cord the long way around the engine so there is no slack and to correct I have to do a bunch of disassembly....

This would be the best advise I could offer from the bottom of my heart!

Don't worry about the extra cord during flight it will lay next to the dipstick tube with no problem. It doesn't have to secured tightly.

[carusoam]

Same as Aaron's first...

Too tight and too low below the oil filler door for ease of use...

Best regards,

-a-

[Hank]

Mine is also zip tied to the dipstick tube, and powered by SwitchBox. Plenty of room to make the plug connection, but it's hard to do with gloves on.

[Oldguy]

Had mine put in at annual this September and attached to the dipstick tube with enough slack to get the plug out of the top of the cowl. Only regret is not getting the SwitchBox. Thought that since I only live 5 minutes from the airport I would go out and plug it in when I needed to pre-heat. Bad idea. Spring for the SwitchBox.

 

John

[aaronk25]

Glad I'm not the only one sharing in "to short syndrome".

It's easy to connect when 20f or 30 but when rubber gets hard at -15f it's a (fill in the blank).

I use a space heater to prewarm the cabin too. Don't forget about thoes expensive gyros or glass screens! I use a 3 way distribution block so a single cord can run the space heater (750w setting) and the engine heater. Run the space heater cord out of the baggage door and gently rest the baggage door on the cord (not latched) then plug heater into 3 way along with the 5' extension cord that runs the engine heater.

All I have to do when ready to go (assuming no rear seat pax) unplug the engine heater and put the extension cord, 3 way in the baggage compartment and go.

Carry my Honda generator too. Lift out of baggage compartment set on wing, one pull and walk away. Warm plane after lunch.

I hate the cold......

[PTK]

Hello,

I am considering the installation of a Reiff system on my Mooney and looking for experiences where to put the power connector so that it can be easily accessed.

Pictures would be great..

Thanks for your help!

Emmet

Emmet, I have my power connector accessible through the oil filler door.

You're very wise to be considering Reiff. It's the best one out there.

Consider also the GSM remote control box they sell on their website.

They sell it at cost as a value added service to their customers.

A GSM remote greatly increases the flexibility in using your preheater.

If you're like me and want to have another output for a batteryminder for example, you can buy a GSM box with two outputs. You do have to wire it yourself but you do get two outs. If you need details on wiring it send me pm. It's simple.

This is my two 30 amp relay GSM switch. Total cost including T-Mobile under 145$.

[aaronk25]

I

I now run the space heater threw the baggage door. Pic shows it going under the cabin door.

[kevinw]

I have a tanis pre-heater and inside the cabin is a power receptacle that I plug my space heater in to. Of course it's only hot when the tanis is plugged in. I keep it on a very low setting but it's sure nice not to have to climb into a freezing cold cabin. I figure it's good for the avionics as well.

[Emmet]

Just placed the order :-)

I will also use a GSM Switchbox. Thanks everybody for your help!

@Aaron : I like the Honda setup ;-)