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-   -   Cold flying (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=144870)

olderthandirt 12-13-2016 02:31 PM

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...

JBPILOT 12-13-2016 05:01 PM

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.

Dvalcik 12-13-2016 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBPILOT (Post 1134151)
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.

I second the expensive comment since I just replaced one.

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.

Gagarin737 12-14-2016 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderthandirt (Post 1134121)
Went up today, temp outside was 28 degrees...highest temp engine ever got to was 131 degrees...

I have a thermostasis kit from Aircraft Specialty, covered the oil radiator 2,25" and have the "Bender baffle". Last week it was also around 28F in the Netherlands. Hangar was about 45F. Before startup I fully close the Bender Baffle. When I arrive at the holding point (2000ft taxi distance) the engine is around 120F. During flight I was able to maintain all temps around 210F. With the baffle almost closed I used approximately a quarter cabin heat otherwise it will be too hot in the flight deck.

Bevan 12-14-2016 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mich48041 (Post 1134348)
This is the RV-12 forum. 100W is never used in a Rotax engine. I use 10W-40 year around.

Sorry, I have deleted my post.

Bevan

Aircraft Specialty 12-14-2016 08:43 PM

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

olderthandirt 12-15-2016 09:46 AM

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

JBPILOT 12-15-2016 09:53 AM

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.

Phantom30 12-15-2016 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dvalcik (Post 1134158)
I second the expensive comment since I just replaced one.

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.

David,

Where did you get your engine cowl plugs....looks good!

Piper J3 12-15-2016 01:06 PM

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.


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