Looking for PIREPs for an engine oil sump heater

[Dean Pichon]

Hi All,

My engine oil sump heater died the other day. I had originally installed it in 2002. Unfortunately, the manufacturer, Symtec (www.symtec-inc.com) no longer makes sump heaters.

A Google search turned up units by E-Z Heat and Reiff for aircraft and a number of systems for ground based applications (e.g., Zerostart, Kat's). Any experiences, good or bad, would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dean

[vic syracuse]

I've always used the EZ Heat sump heaters. On the RV-10, within 3-4 hours the oil is close to 100 degrees, and I throw an old blanket over the cowling and it then warms up the entire engine compartment.

Of course, we don't usually see brutally cold temps in the the South, so depending on where you live you may need the Reiff ones with the cylinder bands as well.

Vic

[RV12JT]

I recently installed the Reiff system on my Rotax powered Sling 2. I have a pad on the bottom of the engine and a heat band around the oil tank. I chose the 150 watt system, which on a recent 30 F day had my oil and coolant at 86 F in a little over 2 hours. I use a Switchbox to turn the unit on remotely.

I would expect the same performance for any of the legacy motors installations. No matter which unit you choose, follow the mfgr?s instructions to the letter, to ensure the heating element/s adheres well to the surface. It?s simple, just requires attention to detail.

So far, I?m loving the pre heat, engine starts like its summertime.

Good Luck...

[Toobuilder]

I've had great service from my Kat's 150w unit on my 540. Gets heat all the way to the rocker covers in a few hours. About $35 on Amazon.

[BillL]

Reiff -- has been good to my friend and I over the past several years. We both got the barrel bands too. In our climate it was not worth the hassle of going cheap, although Reiff is higher value than others, IMO.

Highly recommended based on quality of support, installation and performance.

[9GT]

I have used both the EZ Heat and the Reiff hot pads on two of my planes. I had the Reiff pad on my RV-10. During winter ops, I would plug the cowl air inlets with cheap large car wash sponges already covered in blaze orange terry cloth, and cover the cowling with a couple blankets.. 3 or 4 hours before a flight, a call to the cellular switch turned on the hot pad. Everything toasty warm when I arrived, including the cylinders.

[RV6_flyer]

I have the EZ heat. When I lived in PA, call cell phone switch to turn on. 2-hours later, I would start and have 80-degrees F oil temp.

Do not really need it in NC. My hangar stays pretty warm without a furnace.

[scard]

Wolverine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A8RI4IA...p_M3T1_SC_dp_1

Over a decade of use and the oil, and the majority of the engine compartment, is nice and toasty for this mornings flight.

[D Weisgerber]

I just installed a Reiff sump heater, and I'm very happy with it. I plug it in for about 3 hours before I fly. I am looking into getting a cell phone switch, but I only live 3 miles from the airport so it isn't too bad making 2 trips to the airport.

[TShort]

Another vote for Reiff; I've had a Reiff system on both the old Skyhawk and now the -10, very happy with them.

Here in IN, I installed the cylinder bands as well. Couple of harbor freight moving blankets over the cowl and things stay nice and warm.