Engine Heater - Twin Hornet 22

[AaronDC8402]

It's eventually going to get cooler in Tennessee. That has gotten us thinking about an engine heater on our 201. This will be our first winter with it. The club planes that I've been flying for 2 years all have block (oil sump) heaters that we keep plugged in while parked. East TN has pretty mild winters, but some of the days are cold enough to probably warrant an engine heater of some kind.

Should we consider an oil sump heater for our Mooney? I recently found the Twin Hornet online (link below) as well. Has anyone tried this on a 201? I like that it's only in the cowl when you need it, and I like that it will warm the cylinders as well.

http://www.aircraftheaters.com/aircraftheaters

[peevee]

How cold does it get and what oil do you run? 

[AaronDC8402]

Running Aeroshell W80 from now until spring. Lycoming says that's good down to 40 deg F. Typical mid-winter highs are low to mid 50's (F). Typical lows are in the 20's (F). We'll have an occasional cold snap that might get a day or two into the teens.

[peevee]

I would run a heater. Even if it's just one of those ez heat pads on the sump. I run our heater any time the ambient has been below 40 before a flight. More is better but I have run these and they work reasonably well. 

 

http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/ezHeater.php

Edited November 14, 2016 by peevee

[Browncbr1]

Hi Aaron,

As you know, the Tanis costs a few hundred more, but I've been very happy with it, even far north in MN. http://www.tanisaircraft.com/piston-preheat/tsp4cyl-2925-115.html If you fly once a week or so, you can just leave it plugged in continuously so it's always ready and you don't have to bother with anything.  Some would debate that..    I usually call the FBO and they will plug it in for me if I haven't left it plugged in.  I am not sure about the forced air systems and how well they work when it's windy.  I know the placement in the cowl is pretty critical, so there is that concern as well.  I think the guys on the line would be a little hesitant to set one of those up if left unattended.  One of those would probably grow feet and walk off if left unattended as well.  Apparently, we had a little problem with that kind of stuff going on lately.   With the Tanis, there is nothing to steal and the elements transfer heat directly to the sump and cylinders rather than via air.      Timely post, as I used mine for the first time this year, earlier this morning.     I would recommend getting cylinder heater elements also if you do the oil sump, as some have said the warm oil could emit moisture to condense on cylinders and cam... I don't know if that is a problem if you are only using immediately prior to a flight though.. 

 

BTW, the guy who stole your wheel chalks got busted by the ramp police.

craig

Edited November 14, 2016 by Browncbr1

[peevee]

The reiff uses bands on the jugs, the plug style you have to use ring cht probes or get the dual cht/heater plugs. The ring probes are fragile in my experience 

[Marauder]

I have the Reiff system and am happy with it. I bought the turbo version since I frequent western New York in the winter. I carry a portable generator and can warm the plane's engine up to acceptable temps in a hour or two depending on outside air temps.


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[Jsavage3]

A 100W light bulb clamped up in the open cowl flap works great...and a Thermocube TC-3 (http://www.thermocube.com/) keeps it on only when the temps dip down below 35 degrees in the hangar...used with cowl plugs and a rolled up towel(s) blocking any other cowl openings.  I use this set-up in Ohio with great results, plus essentially no fire hazard...if the bulb gets unhappy, it just burns out.  It's cheap, light-weight (goes with me during trips in the winter) and I usually get thru a whole winter with one bulb.  As a result, my engine never gets below 35 degrees...even on the coldest of days, I can put my hand into the oil access door and the entire engine compartment is toasty warm.

Further north, this set-up wouldn't work, I suspect, as the ambient temps would be too cold.

I intend to try something new this winter...a second bulb clamped to a seat back in the baggage compartment = warm avionics too!

 

Edited November 14, 2016 by Jsavage3

[peevee]

I keep one of those oil filled space heaters in the cabin that comes on with my engine heater. I think it's better for the gyros to be warmed up a little. 

[kpaul]

Just now, Jsavage3 said:

A 100W light bulb clamped up in the open cowl flap works great...and a Thermocube (http://www.thermocube.com/) keeps it on only when the temps dip down below 40 degrees...used with cowl plugs and a rolled up towel(s) blocking any other cowl openings.  I use this set-up in Ohio with great results, plus essentially no fire hazard...if the bulb gets unhappy, it just burns out.  It's cheap, light-weight (goes with me during trips in the winter) and I usually get thru a whole winter with one bulb.  As a result, my engine never gets below about 40 degrees...on the coldest of days, I can put my hand into the oil access door and the entire engine compartment is toasty warm.

Further north, this set-up wouldn't work I suspect as the ambient temps would be too cold.

I intend to try something new this winter...a second bulb clamped to a seat back in the baggage compartment = warm avionics too!

 

Where do you find 100W bulbs?  Didn't those get phased out circa 2013?

[Jsavage3]

The 100W bulbs are getting harder to find, but I've had good luck at the local ACE hardware store... I suspect when I can't find them anymore, I'll look at Lowe's or something similar for a heat lamp...

[Dave Colangelo]

40 minutes ago, Jsavage3 said:

The 100W bulbs are getting harder to find, but I've had good luck at the local ACE hardware store... I suspect when I can't find them anymore, I'll look at Lowe's or something similar for a heat lamp...

McMaster always stocks these kinds of things

 

Dave

[carusoam]

Pet shops also have nice ceramic heaters for lizards...  they have screw in bases like a bulb.

I prefer the vendors that supply to Mooney aircraft.

Leaving it plugged in all the time can cause some other issues as well...

Best regards,

-a-

[M20F]

On 11/14/2016 at 5:05 PM, Marauder said:

I have the Reiff system and am happy with it. I bought the turbo version since I frequent western New York in the winter. I carry a portable generator and can warm the plane's engine up to acceptable temps in a hour or two depending on outside air temps.


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+1 it is a $1000 installed for the Turbo with Oil Cooler.  Zero fuss and works great.  Light bulbs and other things are just a hassle in my opinion.  In the grand scheme of airplane ownership a good cheap investment that works flawlessly even in North Dakota winters.  

[toto]

@AaronDC8402, did  you end up buying the Twin Hornet 22, or did you go with something else?  I've been curious about the Hornet products, but have never actually seen one.

[StevenL757]

On 11/14/2016 at 4:17 PM, peevee said:

The reiff uses bands on the jugs, the plug style you have to use ring cht probes or get the dual cht/heater plugs. The ring probes are fragile in my experience 

I’ve used both systems in temps as low as -18C in NY, ME, and MN, and found the Reiff to be the best around for the fastest, most uniform heating.  Between two different aircraft with Reiff systems installed for the last ten years (presently the Turbo XP with oil cooler strip heater option), I’ve had to replace one band nearly two years ago that wasn’t heating due to a broken wire near the screw on the clamp.  Although well out of warranty, Reiff volunteered to send me another one no charge (after I gladly offered to purchase one) and told me to keep the bad one after I offered to send it back.  Wonderful company and an exceptional product.

Steve

[steingar]

I got one of those Hornet thingies, ran me about 0.25 AMU.  Basically sits in the engine bay and cranks out heat.  Shuts itself off if the temp reaches 70 degrees.  I keep cowl plugs in and blankets across the nose, the idea is the engine stays warm all the time.  Its worked a couple years now, and my airplane is always ready to go when I am.  Had a Tanis heater in my old plane, it was nice too.  Nice thing about those is you can do the same thing, keep in your cowl plugs, cover the nose with blankets and the engine bay stays nice and toasty warm all the time.

The difference between the Tanis and the Hornet is about 0.75 AMUs.  

[peevee]

New plane has a tanis. I miss our reiff turbo xl

 

These are popular with the cirrus folk. 

https://aerothermheaters.com

[kortopates]

New plane has a tanis. I miss our reiff turbo xl
 
These are popular with the cirrus folk. 
https://aerothermheaters.com

Personally, I think the Tanis with dual CHT/ heater element probes and oil sump pad are the very best option.


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[Northern Mooniac]

I have the turbo xp. When intske off my cowl blanket it’s pretty warm. Engine starts like it’s summer!

[MIm20c]

For a CB option for those that have a hanger you can make your own with a space heater.  I took the older version of the one pictured below, removed the top, put a reducer and 4 inch dryer flexible hose to the intake and my engine is a toasty 80 degrees when it is 15 out.  I use another identical heater inside the plane which makes winter flying more enjoyable. 

[peevee]

3 hours ago, kortopates said:

Personally, I think the Tanis with dual CHT/ heater element probes and oil sump pad are the very best option.


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The rieff has a sump and oil cooler heater and cylinder bands. I liked it a lot better. 

[larryb]

My current encore had a Tanis when I bought it. It could achieve about 30 degrees above ambient with a quilt over the cowl. It was a 250 watt system. I took it out and put in a 600 watt Reiff system. This can get me a measured 50 degree rise. So roughly 10 watts per degree rise. I am very skeptical of reports where the user gets a 50 degree engine on a 0 degree day with a 100 watt light bulb. That math does not square with my own measurements.

 

[tigers2007]

Honeywell heater for cabin: Honeywell HCE100R Heat Bud Ceramic Heater, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NXZ7UMA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fwLqAbNHQHFTM

 

Only uses 2A at 120V. I put this on the floor under the panel and put a moving blanket over the top of the cabin. It pumps out plenty of heat to keep the instruments warm. I have the Reiff setup for the engine and wrap a sleeping bag ($5 from Goodwill) around the engine compartment. Even in -20’s in the hangar it keeps everything toasty.

 

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[AaronDC8402]

On 12/25/2017 at 2:18 AM, toto said:

@AaronDC8402, did  you end up buying the Twin Hornet 22, or did you go with something else?  I've been curious about the Hornet products, but have never actually seen one.

 

We didn't get the Hornet. We ended up with a stick on oil sump heater. In Tennessee, we don't have need for much more than that, and I have little interest in flying to anywhere cooler in the winter. 

I have started using a space heater in the cabin prior to cold morning flights. I know it's good for the avionics, but it's also really nice to sit down on already-warm leather seats when it's 30 degrees outside.