Cell activated Remote control heaters in Canada

[Houman]

Hi,

Ordering my Reiff Preheat system and wanting to install it before winter settles in, I was told by Reiff that they don't sell their "GSM Witura WT-1673 Cellular Remote Control for Preheater" in Canada anymore since there is no way to activate it and I also talked to switch-box guy and he tells me the US SIM cards will not work in Canada, being able to remotely turn on the system is important to me, I live about 30 minutes from the airport (without traffic), so doing an hour round trip the night before a winter flight is not ideal or even feasible most of the time.

My cell phone carrier "Bell Canada" doesn't seem to have a text only or pay per usage plan and don't want to pay 30 or 40$ a month for a monthly plan.

I was looking at some international SIM cards, either by iroam or other providers as possible solutions for a pay per usage deal.

Wondering if any other Canadian pilots using a cell activated remote control for their heathers and if so, what do you use, what kind of system, SIM card, carrier and charges per usage or monthly.

Even if my plane is in a heated hanger, I still want to have this heater on the engine since it takes a long time in very cold weather (10 to 15 min) to get the oil hot enough to do my run-up (>75f), and running the engine at low oil temperature (30f to 50f when starting) is not good for the engine from what I understand. The fact that I have to take the plane out of the hanger, and tow for about 5 min before I can turn on the engine makes all these temps go much lower by the time engine is starting.
 

Thanks very much !!!

 

 

Edited October 4, 2015 by Houman

[larryb]

Once you find a provider you should be able to activate the card in a phone and move it to the Cellswitch. The Reiff switch should work there.

For US I use platinumtel. It's $10 every two months on their prepay plan.

[FBCK]

The cheapest plan you will find in Canada is $20 a month with Chatr (then $0.25 per text)  or $25 with Mobilicity, just make sure they have coverage in your area. 

[Cyril Gibb]

I bought my Reiff switch through Aircraft Spruce (Canada) last year.

Give them a call because they usually will get stuff not ordinarily available here in Canada if prodded.

It takes a standard SIM.  The least expensive plan I found is Petro-Can.  It's not text only, but they have a prepaid plan that will carry you through the winter... much cheaper than signing up for a monthly.

Currently the price is $25 for a prepaid plan lasting for 4 months.  That will give you 2500 text messages   that should be enough

Edited October 4, 2015 by Cyril Gibb
update

[Houman]

I bought my Reiff switch through Aircraft Spruce (Canada) last year.

Give them a call because they usually will get stuff not ordinarily available here in Canada if prodded.

It takes a standard SIM.  The least expensive plan I found is Petro-Can.  It's not text only, but they have a prepaid plan that will carry you through the winter... much cheaper than signing up for a monthly.

Currently the price is $25 for a prepaid plan lasting for 4 months.  That will give you 2500 text messages   that should be enough

wow, thanks for the info, I was told by REiff that I need to buy it from them since Aircraft Spruce Canada did'nt carry it, I rather order from spruce, and also thanks for the petro-can info, I will look it up...Telus seems to have a pay per use service for text, but not sure if it requires a monthly plan...