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06-29-2017, 01:34 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 5,297
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Using Studs to Increase Heat Transfer in Heat Muff
I am thinking about strategies to increase my heat output for next winter. I have two heat muffs in series and the second helped, but it is still a bit lacking when the ambient's dip below 10-20* with cloud cover or at night.
I was thinking about welding a bunch of 1/2" or 3/4" long studs to the exhaust pipe under the muffs. In theory, all of the extra surface area should increase heat transfer. I am wondering if anyone has done this with success.
Larry
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N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019
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06-29-2017, 01:57 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 2,473
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That has been done, as have things like coiled springs, brillow pads, and many others...with mixed to neutral results. As a fellow Frozen Tundra Flyer in Minnesnowta, I feel your pain. The reality is that below and in the single digits there just isn't that much that can be done beyond what you've already done with an RV6 that will provide a noticeable benefit (or at least anything other than an incremental improvement)...as soon as you pull the throttle at all you'll freeze anyway.
I'd almost suggest looking into heated seats (I know, a bit of heresy to even mention), but they are pretty easy to install in most seats and really work pretty darned well. Given that the firewall usually stays a decent temp, the seats help out the rest of it.
The other easy solution is to get an RV-10...you can almost fly in a T-shirt in those temps!
Just my 2 cents as usual.
Cheers,
Stein
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06-29-2017, 02:08 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,104
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I stuck a 1-1/2" SCAT duct up against the outlet side of my oil cooler and ran that air into the cabin. It works just fine in -10F OAT (the coldest I've flown in).
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(2020 dues paid)
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06-29-2017, 02:19 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 5,297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteinAir
That has been done, as have things like coiled springs, brillow pads, and many others...with mixed to neutral results. As a fellow Frozen Tundra Flyer in Minnesnowta, I feel your pain. The reality is that below and in the single digits there just isn't that much that can be done beyond what you've already done with an RV6 that will provide a noticeable benefit (or at least anything other than an incremental improvement)...as soon as you pull the throttle at all you'll freeze anyway.
I'd almost suggest looking into heated seats (I know, a bit of heresy to even mention), but they are pretty easy to install in most seats and really work pretty darned well. Given that the firewall usually stays a decent temp, the seats help out the rest of it.
The other easy solution is to get an RV-10...you can almost fly in a T-shirt in those temps!
Just my 2 cents as usual.
Cheers,
Stein
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Thanks for the reply. Yeah, decents are painfull and realize nothing can be done there. I have heated seats, but haven't used them much. I will leverage them more next winter. I can't really run them with low RPMs, as the alternator can't keep up. Using both puts another 10 amp load on the buss and my daytime steady state is 20 amps with the boost pump on; More at night.
I don't think the steel wool would help much. I only thought that the studs, being attached to the tubing would heat up. I am very much regretting not buying the muffler option from Vetterman.
Larry
__________________
N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019
Last edited by lr172 : 06-29-2017 at 02:27 PM.
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06-29-2017, 03:55 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Aurora, OR
Posts: 843
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Supposedly a Vetterman muffler system will generate more cabin heat capacity than standard heat muffs. Might be worth asking Clint?
__________________
Greg Hughes - Van's Aircraft - Community, Media, Marketing
Van's web site | Instagram | Facebook
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Building RV-8A since Sept 2014 (N88VX reserved)
Dual AFS 5600, Avidyne IFD 440, Whirlwind 74RV, Superior XP IO-360
VAF build thread - Flickr photo album - Project Facebook page
Aurora, OR (EAA Chapter 105)
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06-29-2017, 04:37 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: TX
Posts: 53
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Studs on exhaust pipe
Years ago I sent a tail pipe to another exhaust fabricating friend and he welded studs on the pipe for me. I tested the outlet air temps both before and after and there was no difference. At the time neither he or I had any data to know what it would do. He and I were both quite surprised at the results, so I'm saying from that test it's probably not worth the cost and labor.
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06-29-2017, 05:38 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,596
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Put Stainless Steel pot scrubber pads inside the heatmuff. Huge increase in heat output.
Don't pack it in too tight.
Carl
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06-29-2017, 06:46 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Concord, NH
Posts: 215
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make your own stainless coil
Wrap some safety wire around a pencil diameter size rod. Use the resulting coiled spring to wrap around the exhaust pipe under the heat muff. You don't want to use a regular spring because it will rust and break up, or a Bril?lo pad size wire as it will chafe and break up. Good old .040 safety wire.
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Steve Briggs. RV9, G3x, G5, VPX, GTN625, PMags, A&P, IA, ATP-CFII
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06-29-2017, 07:56 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pinedale, WY
Posts: 118
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Cockpit well sealed?
Is your cockpit well sealed? Canopy, Stick boot, etc...? I live in western Wyoming and regularly fly in ground temps around zero. At altitude often well below zero. When I first bought my 6 it was unbearable at even 15 above. Sealed the canopy and it is perfectly comfy. Even my wife, who does NOT tolerate cold, finds it perfectly comfy in seriously cold temps. 
__________________
David Daniel
RV-6, flying
Rans S7S, building ('cause Van's doesn't have one!)
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06-29-2017, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 212
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Not trying to be funny, but what about a heated seat like this? http://a.co/0g2naWs
Being from Houston, we usually fight the opposite problem.
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Shannon
RV-10
Flying September 2015
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