Staying Warm

[mulro767]

17 Degrees in Northern Wisconsin this morning and I stepped into a warm Mooney cockpit and fired up my engine and immediately saw 75 degree oil temperature. By the time I got to the runway I was in the green.

I bought the Cell Switch remote to start my Tanis heater and electric cabin heat about 6 hours prior to departure. Thank you Mooneyspace members for the ideas and suggestions.

Now we just need some snow up here!

[Steve65E-NC]

I remember that string. If you would, please tell us everything you purchased, where you purchased it, what it cost and any on-going costs (cel service). I am a little puzzled by the high amp switching for the heaters. Must be a heavy relay somewhere.

[scottfromiowa]

I remember that string. If you would, please tell us everything you purchased, where you purchased it, what it cost and any on-going costs (cel service). I am a little puzzled by the high amp switching for the heaters. Must be a heavy relay somewhere.

+1 Please provide detailed information on all. Like this idea a lot and this looks way nicer than the little ceramic heater I have.

[John Pleisse]

Which cell phone switch remote?

[aviatoreb]

17 Degrees in Northern Wisconsin this morning and I stepped into a warm Mooney cockpit and fired up my engine and immediately saw 75 degree oil temperature. By the time I got to the runway I was in the green.

I bought the Cell Switch remote to start my Tanis heater and electric cabin heat about 6 hours prior to departure. Thank you Mooneyspace members for the ideas and suggestions.

Now we just need some snow up here!

I like the idea of heating the cabin - for the instruments especially - what is it that you are using?

Anyone here preheat their battery?

[BorealOne]

I'm still 'old school' (I drive out to the airport and plug in the night before departure, or ask the rampies to do it for me if I'm planning to depart during the day) but it's only a few minute drive to CYXD.

I'm running the "full" Tanis kit under the cowl, complete with battery warmers in the tail, and my Aerotherm heater, which I use inside with the 'hot' end pointed up under the panel, and the 'cold' end drawing in from between the seats.

Temps here in Edmonton today -13C, tomorrow in Yellowknife will be -24C. Starting to feel like winter!

[fantom]

That picture looks like a poor Mooney soul pulling a Kevorkian.

Higher fuel prices, more user fees, poor spare parts supply and rising costs, over regulation by the FAA, disappearing airports - FBO's - repair shops - CFI's - good mechanics, airplanes made in China, confusing FAA medical requirements, mind numbing FARs, LOP confusion, 100LL going bye-bye, wing bladder bursting, conflicting power charts, mag heading - drift angle - true course - ground track - whatever......

Take your pick or add to the list, but do it fast. 12/21/12 is almost here as is the fiscal cliff that Washington cowards invented and still can't get together to solve.

Maybe I need one of those hoses.

[aviatoreb]

I'm still 'old school' (I drive out to the airport and plug in the night before departure, or ask the rampies to do it for me if I'm planning to depart during the day) but it's only a few minute drive to CYXD.

I'm running the "full" Tanis kit under the cowl, complete with battery warmers in the tail, and my Aerotherm heater, which I use inside with the 'hot' end pointed up under the panel, and the 'cold' end drawing in from between the seats.

Temps here in Edmonton today -13C, tomorrow in Yellowknife will be -24C. Starting to feel like winter!

BorealOne - you are just the guy to inform me! I have the full rieff preheater cut for the cowling, oil, cylinder bands - but please inform me - what is a batter warmer? Is that something I can just install and then plug in? We easily get -24C here too, although that is a bit late here this year - and last...

[mulro767]

I built the electric heater using the exact products from a previous thread from one of our members. But I can't find that thread anymore. The heater is a basic Stanley heater. The ducting is rubber coated which holds the heat better and prevents scratching your paint. Especially important if using through pilot's window as I have done. I picked that up at a HVAC store. I just used metal tape to secure a 6" to 4" reducer and used O ring clamps to secure to duct tubing. Pretty simple really. And a cheap sponge to take up the space in pilot's window to hold the heat in.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-675900-Pro-Ceramic-Pivoting-Utility/dp/B000LF2CBE

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100111736/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=duct&storeId=10051#.UMCljaWzdjI

The remote switch is from Cell Switch. www.cell-switch.com. I found it for $279 on www.aeroinstock.com . T-Mobile has several plans to choose from. I went with one that allows unlimited texts for $15/mo. I was spending twice that in gas to/from my hangar programming my timer. Sounds like Phillip has a better product and cheaper rates on another pre-heat thread. I had already gone with this company and I'm happy with it.

[scottfromiowa]

I built the electric heater using the exact products from a previous thread from one of our members. But I can't find that thread anymore. The heater is a basic Stanley heater. The ducting is rubber coated which holds the heat better and prevents scratching your paint. Especially important if using through pilot's window as I have done. I picked that up at a HVAC store. I just used metal tape to secure a 6" to 4" reducer and used O ring clamps to secure to duct tubing. Pretty simple really. And a cheap sponge to take up the space in pilot's window to hold the heat in.

http://www.amazon.co...y/dp/B000LF2CBE

http://www.homedepot...51#.UMCljaWzdjI

The remote switch is from Cell Switch. www.cell-switch.com. I found it for $279 on www.aeroinstock.com . T-Mobile has several plans to choose from. I went with one that allows unlimited texts for $15/mo. I was spending twice that in gas to/from my hangar programming my timer. Sounds like Phillip has a better product and cheaper rates on another pre-heat thread. I had already gone with this company and I'm happy with it.

Thank you. Good stuff. Must have missed that previous thread.

[Hank]

I bought the cell-activated switch here: http://mooneyspace.com/topic/5615-cellphone-activated-preheater-switch-for-han/

Cost was $235, with a T-Mobile card installed and operational. Removed it from the box, plugged it in, attached a lamp, called the number on the paperwork and watched the lamp turn on. Called again, watched the lamp turn off. Both times was on the second ring. Texting also works, he now has both Apple and Droid apps.

Since I don't text, I don't have to pay 10¢ per operation, I just press the button on my phone and let it ring. Minimum refill is $10, which is supposed to be good for three months.

Save money, Shop Mooneyspace!!