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  #1  
Old 12-28-2008, 07:07 PM
Greg Arehart's Avatar
Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
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Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
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Default Cell phone heater switch

Anyone know of a cheaper alternative to the remote heater switch offered by Judith technologies?

http://www.goflying.cc/

This seems a bit pricey for what's in it. Or, any of you electronic wizards out there have a schematic for building one?

greg
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  #2  
Old 12-28-2008, 07:15 PM
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Greg, there is quite a bit in the archives about this. Various setups and services for remote actuation are available.

I prefer a thermostat on the end of a power cord, put into the oil door. Set it at 70F, blanket up the cowl and leave it on.
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  #3  
Old 12-28-2008, 07:31 PM
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Alex,

Thanks, I have been through the archives, but am looking specifically for the cell phone (or beeper) activation rather than a timer or thermostat.

greg
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  #4  
Old 12-29-2008, 06:28 AM
andyrv andyrv is offline
 
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Location: Leawood, KS
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Default X10

Nevermind. Discontinued.


Try this.

http://www.x10.com/products/x10_tr16a.htm

Andy
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  #5  
Old 12-29-2008, 04:57 PM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
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Here's a $15 option (plus cell phone);

http://www.apogeekits.com/remote_con...cell_phone.htm
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  #6  
Old 12-29-2008, 07:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Arehart View Post
Anyone know of a cheaper alternative to the remote heater switch offered by Judith technologies?

http://www.goflying.cc/

This seems a bit pricey for what's in it. Or, any of you electronic wizards out there have a schematic for building one?

greg
Sure would be simpler to just leave the heater on all the time.
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  #7  
Old 12-29-2008, 07:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andyrv View Post
Nevermind. Discontinued.
Actually, those X-10 phone-dialer controllers are still readily available on eBay. Do a search for "X-10 Touch Tone Phone Controller" and you'll find them. I believe the model number is the "PHC06".

I sometimes use one to start the heater in my workshop about an hour before I arrive.
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  #8  
Old 12-29-2008, 09:41 PM
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Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
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Thanks for the suggestions. I also found the Apogee kits site this afternoon and will probably order one of those. $15 is much less than $369 to do basically the same thing! I don't like the idea of leaving it plugged in all the time as the cost can add up (right now I don't pay the electric bill but would probably need to do so if I was using 300 watts 24/7). And the X10 thing won't work since there is not a landline to the hangar.

cheers,
greg
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  #9  
Old 12-29-2008, 11:32 PM
DrewChaplin DrewChaplin is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Arehart View Post
I don't like the idea of leaving it plugged in all the time as the cost can add up (right now I don't pay the electric bill but would probably need to do so if I was using 300 watts 24/7). And the X10 thing won't work since there is not a landline to the hangar.
300 watts isn't a lot but if that's correct, the math is easy.

300 watts / 1000 = .3 KW per hour
.3kw x 24 hours x 30 Days = 216 KW per month

Electricity can cost anywhere between 5 to 15 cents per KW. So say roughly $0.10

216 x .1 = $21.60 per month if left on 24x7.

Last edited by DrewChaplin : 12-29-2008 at 11:38 PM.
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  #10  
Old 12-30-2008, 12:45 AM
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Location: Reno, NV
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Default Any downside to leaving an engine heater on 24/7?

Sam, would like to bounce a Q off of you and the gang.

Santa just gave one of the nice units in Greg's original post to a local RV buddy of Greg and I...probably had something to do with the thread, as we sort of covet his new toy .

We were all discussing the merits of different heating systems, and discussed just leaving an engine heater on 24/7.

I have two options on engine heaters. I bought a 1500W space heater and attached a small roof duct to it, then ran a dryer vent hose from it which, when needed, I put in the cowl air outlet by the exhaust pipes. I run it with blankets over the cowl to warm up the engine/oil on cold mornings. I also have a 100W heating pad that I may afix to the bottom of the oil pan.

In a local discussion, I asked about leaving either on full time, and one comment was that it could lead to condensation of water in the oil sump, and thus water in the oil...something along those lines.

Niether of these pre-heating methods was considered hot enough to carmelize, carbonize (or otherwise sludgefy...all very technical terms, ahem), but I'm interested in your opinion on the water issue.

I know I could keep the hangar at 55 degrees all the time and just keep the entire airplane warm, but that would get really expensive really fast, so I'm wondering if keeping an engine preheater left on all the time has any downsides, and if any preventative measures are needed to prevent them.

Thanks much for any insight!

Cheers,
Bob
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