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  #1  
Old 02-02-2020, 08:00 AM
echowhiskey echowhiskey is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Charlemont
Posts: 7
Default Wintertime cabin temp

I recently acquired a 6a from AZ.
It is heated through oil cooler
I have installed weatherstripping around that canopy. But when its 30F or less, she gets cold, in cruise.

Is the oil cooler heater for more temperate environments?
It seems the solution is to swap out to traditional heat muff. Are there any other solution to get more heat?
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  #2  
Old 02-02-2020, 08:05 AM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,218
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The oil cooler's heat output will always be lower than what you can get from an exhaust heat muff. Worse, in the winter, your oil isn't as hot as in the summer, so you see a further reduction in the heat output.

So, yes, swap to a conventional heat muff. You'll be a lot warmer.
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  #3  
Old 02-02-2020, 08:12 AM
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Zuldarin Zuldarin is offline
 
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Location: Snoqualmie, wa
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I have an oil cooler heater in my 9A and I live in the Seattle area where we see in flight temps of 30 degrees or less frequently (depending on your altitude). The key to keeping the airplane warm is keeping the oil warm. If the oil temperature is less than 180 the vernatherm will stay closed meaning very little warm oil to the cooler to warm up your heating air. If you can't keep your oil temperature above 180 then the heat muff on your exhaust is the way to go.
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  #4  
Old 02-02-2020, 08:47 AM
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Ron RV8 Ron RV8 is offline
 
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Location: Okanagan Valley BC, Canada
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Mufflers if you actually want heat. Common complaint from GIB is to "turn it down...
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  #5  
Old 02-02-2020, 09:45 AM
NewbRVator NewbRVator is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 227
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I would add an exhaust heater in addition to the oil cooler heater. My cabin still gets a little chilly in winter with just one exhaust heater at altitude sub-zero cruise. You probably want your oil temp higher as well.
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Last edited by NewbRVator : 02-02-2020 at 10:10 AM.
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  #6  
Old 02-02-2020, 10:33 AM
WingsOnWheels WingsOnWheels is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Plano, TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron RV8 View Post
Mufflers if you actually want heat. Common complaint from GIB is to "turn it down...
I have the vetterman muffler system as well. I barely crack the cabin heat, even when at 13,500 on a winter day.
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  #7  
Old 02-02-2020, 11:52 AM
Northernliving Northernliving is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuldarin View Post
I have an oil cooler heater in my 9A and I live in the Seattle area where we see in flight temps of 30 degrees or less frequently (depending on your altitude). The key to keeping the airplane warm is keeping the oil warm. If the oil temperature is less than 180 the vernatherm will stay closed meaning very little warm oil to the cooler to warm up your heating air. If you can't keep your oil temperature above 180 then the heat muff on your exhaust is the way to go.
I've always wondered why we seem to need oil cooler shutters with the vernatherm that should keep the temp at 180 or above with or with out a shutter during cold temp ops. Does this suggest a bad vernatherm? In theory, if the vernatherm is working as designed, a shutter would be pointless.
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  #8  
Old 02-02-2020, 04:56 PM
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Zuldarin Zuldarin is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Northernliving View Post
I've always wondered why we seem to need oil cooler shutters with the vernatherm that should keep the temp at 180 or above with or with out a shutter during cold temp ops. Does this suggest a bad vernatherm? In theory, if the vernatherm is working as designed, a shutter would be pointless.
I don't think the Vernatherm actually stops all oil flow, just throttles it significantly.
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  #9  
Old 02-02-2020, 05:36 PM
Northernliving Northernliving is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuldarin View Post
I don't think the Vernatherm actually stops all oil flow, just throttles it significantly.
I think you are right. More good info here.
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=162533
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  #10  
Old 02-03-2020, 10:48 AM
Ralph Inkster Ralph Inkster is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 1,005
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Along with sealing the canopy, try to source all the little air leaks into the cockpit. Around gear leg openings, there might be air gaps under the fairings, under the seat there are usually large openings, install a bellows type seal in the aileron linkage rods to side fuselage, seal off the wire runs. The wing spars are big sources of air leakage, seal them off where they fit through the side fuselage, under the wing fairings. The rear baggage bulkhead can be a major source depending on how well you sealed off everything else, don't totally seal it off as it also acts as an exit vent for warm air you are trying to draw in through your heat duct. If you have a slider, the rear canopy skirt can be the hardest but most beneficial to be sealed properly.
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