![]() |
Cold flying
Went up today, temp outside was 28 degrees...highest temp engine ever got to was 131 degrees...in the black on widget..flew for I/2 hour and decided it might not be good for engine to fly at this temp so aborted flight....question is was I correct in worrying with temp at 131...I can cover oil cooler but then always worry if temp outside goes up will it over heat??? Very...I mean very hard to start...
|
Would advise for sure - -
You need some type of engine pre-heater. Starting a very cold 912 is a good way to ruin the sprag in the starter system. Very expensive to fix.
|
Quote:
Mark aka "Skunkworks" had one of these and I got one. I am very happy with the heater. Low electric bill for the cold months in Maine https://aerothermheaters.com/ ![]() ![]() ![]() Blow warm from the bottom and suck the return from the oil door. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Bevan |
Good evening.
We specifically developed a Thermostasis install kit for the RV-12 which has proven to be popular in the colder weather climates. It significantly reduces engine warm up times as well as allows the oil temperature to remain much higher in flight and descent. No baffles are required. The complete kit includes hoses, fittings and the thermostat. The hoses are all conductive Teflon fire sleeved hoses with an unlimited service life and a 10 year warranty. If you have any questions, we are more than happy to discuss the installation. Please feel free to contact us or see our detailed install manual on the website. They are built to order, and right now lead times run about 1-2 weeks. This kit was released in late 2014 and we have had very good reports from those installing them. Happy Building/Flying Steve |
pre heat
o.k. like Aircraft specialties thermostasis kit but still need engine warm so it will start...what is best pre heater for RV 12/rotax setup..thanks
|
Very pleased with - -
REIFF Pre-heat kit. I have mine plugged in all winter long. It is about 6 years old or more. Keeps entire engine about 90+ degrees if you cover engine with a cover of sorts. Was about $220 I think back then. Nothing against other more expensive kits, but just adds cost and complexity. Not hard to install REIFF.
|
Quote:
Where did you get your engine cowl plugs....looks good! |
Last year I used two hair dryers with short pieces of scat tubing shoved into the two cowl holes. I put a blanket over the cowling and a hunk of foam into to oval air inlet. At 30F ambient it took about 20 minutes for the EMS to show 70F on both oil and water temps. Worked pretty good.
That said, I'm saving up for a REIFF pre-heat kit which will have a safety timer turned on by remote cell phone switch. I plan on "calling" the plane a few hours before I drive out to the hanger and it will be warm when I get there. If I get weigh-layed the timer will shut off the heater for safety. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:13 AM. |