IFLYIFR Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 I keep my M20J in an insulated hangar. The hangar is not, however, heated. Outside temperatures have often been below zero (-12 to -5) this month; the temperature in my hangar has usually been between 30 and 35 this month (it was 26 today inside). There is no cell phone coverage at my hangar for a remote on/off power switch. My question is what is the best way to use my Reiff engine heater. Option 1 - leave the engine heater plugged in continuously every day/night, even on days when I’m not flying. Option 2 - drive 30 minutes each way to the airport the day before to plug the heater in overnight (not convenient but doable). Option 3 - connect the heater to a timer that turns on every morning for 5 or 6 hours then turns off (more convenient but the engine would be heated then re-cooled every day). Option 4 - something else. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Brandt Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 I keep my M20J in an insulated hangar. The hangar is not, however, heated. Outside temperatures have often been below zero (-12 to -5) this month; the temperature in my hangar has usually been between 30 and 35 this month (it was 26 today inside). There is no cell phone coverage at my hangar for a remote on/off power switch. My question is what is the best way to use my Reiff engine heater. Option 1 - leave the engine heater plugged in continuously every day/night, even on days when I’m not flying. Option 2 - drive 30 minutes each way to the airport the day before to plug the heater in overnight (not convenient but doable). Option 3 - connect the heater to a timer that turns on every morning for 5 or 6 hours then turns off (more convenient but the engine would be heated then re-cooled every day). Option 4 - something else. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkGoogle Switcheon. It’s great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rmnpilot Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 (edited) There was an article I read recently by Mike Busch (Savvy Aviation) that recommended leaving the heater on all the time and covering the cowl to keep heat in. I’m hoping to get into a heated hangar soon enough myself. But for now I keep the cowl covered and keep the heater plugged in the whole time. I should note the article is from 1999, and I use a twin hornet to heat the engine and use cowl plugs. At -5F outside, the engine oil was showing at 45 degrees after I got the plane outside, hangar closed and master on. Not great but better than nothing for now. https://www.avweb.com/ownership/the-whys-and-hows-of-preheating/ Edited January 31, 2022 by Rmnpilot Added my heater details
carusoam Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 Options… 1) Cell phone service… call when you want on/off… 2) Decent timer… program the days you want to run the heat…. 3) Temperature based switch… 4) Manually stop by, turn it on… Take your pick…. -a-
BravoWhiskey Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 35 minutes ago, IFLYIFR said: I keep my M20J in an insulated hangar. The hangar is not, however, heated. Outside temperatures have often been below zero (-12 to -5) this month; the temperature in my hangar has usually been between 30 and 35 this month (it was 26 today inside). There is no cell phone coverage at my hangar for a remote on/off power switch. My question is what is the best way to use my Reiff engine heater. Option 1 - leave the engine heater plugged in continuously every day/night, even on days when I’m not flying. Option 2 - drive 30 minutes each way to the airport the day before to plug the heater in overnight (not convenient but doable). Option 3 - connect the heater to a timer that turns on every morning for 5 or 6 hours then turns off (more convenient but the engine would be heated then re-cooled every day). Option 4 - something else. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Do you mean no cell service in your hangar or around your hangar? Switcheon has an antenna extension you can put outside to boost signal strength.
IFLYIFR Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Posted January 31, 2022 My hangar has metal outside walls, 6 inches of insulation ,and metal inside walls, so no cell coverage inside the hangar. Cell coverage outside the hangar is not great. The Switcheon external antenna would help. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
carusoam Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 For Switcheon help… find @OSUAV8TER… You won’t be the only person with a metal hangar… -a-
OSUAV8TER Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 Www.gallagheraviationllc.com/switcheon Get the 2 channel 15 amp device with the remote antenna. It has a magnetic base and snake the cable through your hangar door. If it doesnt work, I’ll give you your money back.
carusoam Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 @IFLYIFR note from OSU came in above… Go MS! -a-
IFLYIFR Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Posted January 31, 2022 Thanks for your help. I’ll order the 2 channel switch + remote antenna tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Stan Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 Antenna outside works for me also. I have a bifold door I ran my antenna wire through the hinge area.
IFLYIFR Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Posted January 31, 2022 I have a Wilson bifold door so might be able to do the same. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
OSUAV8TER Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 1 hour ago, Stan said: Antenna outside works for me also. I have a bifold door I ran my antenna wire through the hinge area. Same here, I just installed SwitcheOn by the bifold door and ran the remote antenna through the hinge area to the roof. I took a ladder out to the airport to get the antenna on the roof where it happily resides to this day 2 years after installing it.
IFLYIFR Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Posted January 31, 2022 I am thinking about putting the antenna on my hangar roof or at the top of the back outside wall. Can I get more than 10 feet of cable with the remote antenna? The building back wall goes up to about 25 feet at its highest point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Brandt Posted January 31, 2022 Report Posted January 31, 2022 8 minutes ago, IFLYIFR said: I am thinking about putting the antenna on my hangar roof or at the top of the back outside wall. Can I get more than 10 feet of cable with the remote antenna? The building back wall goes up to about 25 feet at its highest point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk This is what comes with the Gallagher package. https://www.weboost.com/products/311703 I think the problem with a longer cable is signal loss. Not sure if there is an inline signal booster available that would work.
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