Turning on cold weather Eng. heat w/smart phone.

[Rallylancer122]

Originally Posted by vlittle

Step #1 was to install a Ubiquity WiFi bridge with a homemade directional 'Cantenna' and a surplus WiFi router. I can easily reach the public WiFi across the road from the hangar complex.
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Can you give us more detail on how this works? We have wifi at the terminal, but not at the hangers at my airport. This would be neat!

Thanks,
DEM

[jahoosafat]

I got a FreedomPop account and one of their Netgear Unite Mobile Hotspot which gives you 500MB/month free data. I put it in my hangar thereby creating a wifi network built off of the hotspot's cellular data connection. Since the wifi-connected power strip that I have my engine heater connected to uses only tiny amounts of data, I never actually pay anything to FreedomPop. It's a bit of a pain to get the hotspot working (presumably because FreedomPop wants to make it hard to do exactly what I'm doing, which is to say taking advantage of their "free" offer), but once set up, it's been working great for me for 6 months.

[vlittle]

In my case, I bought this:
https://www.ui.com/airmax/bulletm/

and made this:
https://jacobsalmela.com/2013/09/07/...wi-fi-antenna/ It screws directly on to the Ubiquiti.

I used a surplus wifi router (the type does not matter). I also bought a POE injector like this: (search for POE Splitter) and I had on hand a 12V wall wart power supply to use with it. Of course, you'll need an ethernet cable.

The Bullet/Cantenna combo is very directional, but I have had it work up to 10 km over water! Typically, though, it will work several hundred feet... maybe across an airport.

Turns out that my installation is all inside, pointing out a window from my hangar office. You can, however, mount the Bullet outside, but you may want to paint the can to prevent corrosion.

V

[donwmack]

I use this that I got on eBay for $46 dollars plus a t-mobile SIM card. I have oil heater that I am using it for.

Cell Phone PDA GSM Wireless Remote Control 3 Socket Power Outlet Smart Switch

[uk_figs]

Any thoughts on hanging a 60/100W light bulb through the oil access flap down into the cowling and just leaving it on. That's what I have been doing the last couple of years in the winter and seems to keep motor above freezing.

It is not switching on and off which I have heard is the main problem causing condensation in the motor if you do not fly enough.
Figs

[Saville]

Originally Posted by uk_figs

Any thoughts on hanging a 60/100W light bulb through the oil access flap down into the cowling and just leaving it on. That's what I have been doing the last couple of years in the winter and seems to keep motor above freezing.

It is not switching on and off which I have heard is the main problem causing condensation in the motor if you do not fly enough.
Figs

My only thought is that a 100 watt incandescent bulb gets really hot - too hot to touch - so you'd want to keep it away from wires and tubes and any oil drip

[donwmack]

Any thoughts on using an electric dog heated pad in the cockpit to keep things warmer? With the -20 winter last year I ended up with a canopy crack. I was thinking of leaving this in the cabin and I can turn it on when the temps get nasty cold.

Pecute Pet Heating Pad Low Voltage Safe Electric Heating Pet Mat for Dogs

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...A25JY1VDWGYHHE

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by donwmack

Any thoughts on using an electric dog heated pad in the cockpit to keep things warmer? With the -20 winter last year I ended up with a canopy crack. I was thinking of leaving this in the cabin and I can turn it on when the temps get nasty cold.

Pecute Pet Heating Pad Low Voltage Safe Electric Heating Pet Mat for Dogs

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...A25JY1VDWGYHHE

I've used a heating pad (human variety) as a battery warmer over the years. I don't see why a dog heating pad wouldn't work just fine. Do you plan to throw a packing blanket (or equivalent) over the canopy to better retain the warmth?

[donwmack]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

I've used a heating pad (human variety) as a battery warmer over the years. I don't see why a dog heating pad wouldn't work just fine. Do you plan to throw a packing blanket (or equivalent) over the canopy to better retain the warmth?

I didn't go with the human heating pad because those all have to be turned on. I am planning on turning the device on only when the temps fall below freezing. The dog heating pad is on whenever it is plugged in

In the winter I have a heavy blanket over the canopy. I have one over the engine as well along with plugs for the air inlets.

[AAflyer]

Originally Posted by Saville

My only thought is that a 100 watt incandescent bulb gets really hot - too hot to touch - so you'd want to keep it away from wires and tubes and any oil drip

I can confirm this...my 100w bulb, which I stuffed under my oil sump, and between the exhaust pipes, dropped down onto my fiberglass cowling...I now have a faint, but visible brown scorch mark on the exterior of my lower cowling.