Phil Berggren
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- Apr 13, 2020
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- 19
Any thoughts about the EZ heat system for a Citabria? Just got a powered but unheated hangar in a very cold climate. Seems like that with a cover and lightbulb might be ok?
Engine heaters
- Thread starter Phil Berggren
- Start date
They are good heaters if you are just looking for oil pan heaters. Had one on my pacer years ago, and with a cover, it would warm up the whole engine in a few hours.
Just don't be tempted to use an automotive oil pan heater. Those are not thermostatically controlled and will cook the oil if left too long.
Just don't be tempted to use an automotive oil pan heater. Those are not thermostatically controlled and will cook the oil if left too long.
Hiperbiper
Well-known member
Always liked the "chile chaser" heat lamp bulb in a 6"dryer duct...
Rescue blanket on top of the cowl, plug the nose holes and put the duct up into the cowl. Lots of heat, not hot enough to damage paint or equipment.
And no, I don't need one in Shreveport...
Chris
Rescue blanket on top of the cowl, plug the nose holes and put the duct up into the cowl. Lots of heat, not hot enough to damage paint or equipment.
And no, I don't need one in Shreveport...
Chris
Phil Berggren
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Are you using a blower/fan somehow?
Hiperbiper
Well-known member
Nope...the entire duct was about 12"-14" long and the heat went up the duct and got trapped in the cowling.
Not a solution for a quick preheat but for keeping under the cowling warm (say 25-30°of ambient) it worked fine.
So you got me thinking about an aircraft oil pan heater vs. an automotive one. My 7ECA had a Tanis system installed when I got it, heater elements in each cylinder and under the pan. It really warms things up well but it's been an unknown how much time it needs. Since you guys are talking about it I went looking, the website says 6 hrs to get things as warm as they're going to get.
TA2925-1 - Hartzell Preheat
Engine Preheat Kit - 4 Cyl; Continental and Lycoming (STC) - 115V
www.tanisaircraft.com
If the Tanis stuff wasn't already there I'd be using the "chile chaser" on a wifi switch in the hangar. The heater bulb is a great idea.
Phil Berggren
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Thanks, guys. I’ve used a lot of heat lamps over the years but always went to bed worried about burning down the chicken coop or a baby calf. Maybe time to reconsider.