Remote Pre Heater Switch

[Cris]

Recently I have been trying to figure out how to turn on/off my engine pre heater remotely. The FBO at Atlantic City does not have pre heating service & my A/C sits outside in the cold wind albeit with a full A/C cover. Fortunately the FBO has electric next to my tie down so I can plug the A/C in to use my battery minder & engine pre heater.  However I am not convinced of the validity of keeping a pre heater plugged in 24/7 nor is the FBO happy to have me use that much electric. So What to do? Here is a cheap, simple & elegant solution which allows two circuits to both turn on the preheater & an in cabin heater with your cell phone. You send a coded text message & it returns a message advising its status of "On or Off" You can also use preset timers. I added a no commitment  $10/mo Sim card to my ATT family plan which is required for the switch.

This is the ebay listing for it  

30 amp 2 Switch GSM Remote Control Relay

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-amp-2-Switch-GSM-Remote-Control-Relay-/200597872557?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item2eb4909fad and is the one I bought. The one in the ebay ad does require a DC adapter. After you order it, just tell the seller in the message that you need the AC version and documentation!  A word of warning, the documentation is very poor. I was fortunate & discovered this idea on another site. The user helped me do the wiring & to understand the programming which is simple if you have the docs. The Mfg is in the process of revising the docs after my pointing out to him how poor they are. Anyway the thing works like a champ. I have installed it in the battery compartment of the A/C & the signal is perfect. I also use an extension cord that has a light on the end so that I as well as the FBO know that it is on.  When I get to the airport there is no doubt that the engine preheater has been switched to the on position. Then I remove the unit & cords from the battery compartment & off I go with a warm cozy cabin & a happy engine.

[Lowbid]

Thank you for the information!  I have been looking for something like this for some time.  However, the listing is gone from Ebay.  Do you have the Manufacturer or seller contact information??

[1964-M20E]

If you fly on a somewhat predictable pattern then another method would be to use a 7day programmable timing relay and set it to turn the heater on the days and the times when you generally go flying.  Some days it will warm things up and you will not go flying but if you only have it come on for an hour or so once or twice a week that should not be too imposing on the FBO.  Sometimes you could even give your baby a little warmth in the middle of the night. :-))

[Cris]

Quote: Lowbid

Thank you for the information!  I have been looking for something like this for some time.  However, the listing is gone from Ebay.  Do you have the Manufacturer or seller contact information??

[Ned Gravel]

I am thinking about using something similar for engine pre-heating so I googled: "30 amp 2 Switch GSM Remote Control Relay" and found a website at http://www.gsm-auto.com/.