Seth Posted February 16, 2015 Report Posted February 16, 2015 If you have a hanger, you can also create a system of your own with a space heater and some scat hoses. Plug the cowl, insert the scat hose into the area next to the exaust, and turn on the space heater. Make sure it's a space heater with the ability to shut off if it gets too hot or tips over. I always stood near mine (had it set up for my former F model) and ended up giving the contraption to another Mooney Pilot at the airport after I got my new airplane and Tannis plug in. You'd have to run it for quite a while to warm things up, but if you had the time and were there, it can work as a real low budget solution. The other real low budget solution is the 120 watt bulb in a construction housing in your cowling. It must be an incandescent bulb, not LED, not CFL, but incandescent, as one of the byproducts of incandescent bulbs, is heat. Aviation Consumer did a great write up on this method a few years ago. If you can still find incandescent bulbs in your area, may be a good idea. -Seth Quote
blaine beaven Posted February 19, 2015 Report Posted February 19, 2015 I also fly in -20C and colder routinely here in Canada. For the engine, I have an oil sump heater and a little buddy forced air heater that I put on top of the cylinders through the front cowl opening. Heating the sump is nice, but if I had to have just one it would be the forced air heater since it moves the heat all around the cowl and heats the accessories. In the cabin I have a 1500W space heater and an intelligent trickle charger that I plug into the cigarette lighter. Both cords for these go through the pilot window which gets stuffed with a big piece of foam. Covers for engine, prop, wings, tail and canopy. Where I park at my home airport I use a 50' extension cord. When I travel I take a second 50' cord. The shorter the cord, the more current to the heaters. Sadly, the cabin is the warmest before I start the plane, and it's downhill from there. Below -15C I wear snow pants and have a blanket on my legs. Daytime isn't that bad, night is downright chilly. Blaine Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
Mooneymite Posted February 19, 2015 Report Posted February 19, 2015 I live in Georgia and have practically no Mooney cold weather experience. I was wondering if anyone had tried one of those hair dryers like your wife uses to wake you up at 0530. Seems like they put out a fair amount of heat and the nozzle looks like it was made to fit in a piece of scat tubing. Might not be enough heat for the great outdoors, but probably better than a 100W bulb in a hangar? Anyone? Quote
Guest Posted February 19, 2015 Report Posted February 19, 2015 I've installed these sump heaters on many engines over the years. http://www.wolverineheater.com/ Clarence Quote
Hank Posted February 20, 2015 Report Posted February 20, 2015 I live in Georgia and have practically no Mooney cold weather experience. I was wondering if anyone had tried one of those hair dryers like your wife uses to wake you up at 0530. Seems like they put out a fair amount of heat and the nozzle looks like it was made to fit in a piece of scat tubing. Might not be enough heat for the great outdoors, but probably better than a 100W bulb in a hangar? Anyone? Now you're just making us jealous! I think the light bulb would be better. They're made to burn for hours. Ever touch a 100W bulb that's been on for five minutes? Can't help but wonder how long you can run a hair dryer before it burns up? Quote
carusoam Posted February 20, 2015 Report Posted February 20, 2015 Plastic hair dryers probably do not have the safety or longevity for the project... I tried to heat skis for the purpose of improving the application of wax to their bases. 1500 watts is pretty good. The hair dryer falling apart not so good... The owner's manual probably has a time limit for the device. Probably says 'not for continuous use.' There are electric devices at HomeDepot that are better suited for safety and longevity... Looks like the hair dryer. It's purpose is for heating a surface before scraping paint. Probably something like this... http://t.homedepot.com/p/Wagner-HT3500-1500-Watt-Digital-Heat-Gun-0503040/203474822 Not a recommendation. I have no experience with this device. Best regards, -a- Quote
Mooneymite Posted February 20, 2015 Report Posted February 20, 2015 Can't help but wonder how long you can run a hair dryer before it burns up? The ones my teenage daughters used ran for years without stopping! :-) Quote
Guest Posted February 20, 2015 Report Posted February 20, 2015 I'm not sure than an open element heater inside an engine cowl would be a good plan. Look for Byron's video of the PA 28 on fire, different cause but similar effect. Clarence Quote
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