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  #11  
Old 12-08-2013, 11:23 AM
BobRV7 BobRV7 is offline
 
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Location: Loveland, Co
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I have a Kat's 24150 150W installed on my superior 180, heats the oil in 15-20min and easily glues to the oil case, on since 2009. I don't leave it on only plug it in a before flight. As good as th reif but only about $30.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9139_200339139
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  #12  
Old 12-08-2013, 11:54 AM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobRV7 View Post
I have a Kat's 24150 150W installed on my superior 180, heats the oil in 15-20min and easily glues to the oil case, on since 2009. I don't leave it on only plug it in a before flight. As good as th reif but only about $30.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9139_200339139
What you want to do is warm the engine, not just the oil. As soon as that 120F oil flows through that 20F engine, you're going to have 25F oil and a 25F engine. 150 watts needs an hour (preferably 2-3-4 hours), cowl plugs, and a blanket over the top to make a big difference in preheating an engine.
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  #13  
Old 12-08-2013, 01:05 PM
JimWoo50 JimWoo50 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chicago sw suburbs
Posts: 395
Default I heat the sump with my Kat

I think Kyle is right; the cold engine will cool the oil quickly but it is my belief that the warm oil is easier for the pump move immediately after starting. At least the innards of the engine get lubed sooner with preheated oil.

I have my 6 in a insulated hangar so have no real experience starting it in very cold temps. But the 0-300 powered 172 that I used to own was kept outdoors for awhile and believe me it's a gut wrenching 5 seconds or so waiting for the oil pressure to show signs of life on those rare occasions when pre heat was not available. With preheat the pressure came up immediately in even the coldest wx, which led me to believe that even heating the sump is better than no heat at all. IIRC the Continental manual said to wait 30 secs. for oil pressure and to preheat when temps got below 20F.

My Kat heater works great. I do not leave it on unattended though and after an hour on a 32F day my oil temps are 50F immediately after start. I bought two of the 150w pads but the other one fell off my truck and was dangling by the cord. It still heats though. So I'm looking for a good glue and thinking of attaching it next to the other one on the sump.
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  #14  
Old 12-08-2013, 01:38 PM
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Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
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These are aluminum engines - very high thermal conductivity. Warm oil eventually means a warm engine even with zero oil circulation. A few hours on the oil sump heater and the cylinders are warm to the touch.

It's not rocket science.
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WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

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  #15  
Old 12-08-2013, 04:55 PM
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9GT 9GT is online now
 
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Location: Southern Michigan
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Default Cost

As a side note to the cost difference of an aviation rated heater and one for the local auto supply store: I set up a search notification on eBay so whenever one was listed, I was notified. I purchased both of mine brand new in the package for less that half retail. Took a while to get theme at the price I wanted to pay, but in the summer, most folks aren't thinking about pre-heating their engines.
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  #16  
Old 12-08-2013, 05:25 PM
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catmandu catmandu is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder View Post
It's not rocket science.
Nice pun!

Thanks for the price watch, ordered one today.
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Sierra Nevada
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  #17  
Old 12-08-2013, 06:07 PM
Scbado Scbado is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 81
Default Reiff Oil Pan and Cylinder Bands

I am in an un-heated metal hanger with no insulation. It is as cold inside my hanger as it is outside. The only thing that the hanger does is protect me from the elements. I use the Reiff system that has both the oil sump heater and the cylinder bands. I keep an old blanket draped over the cowl. It is amazing how much heat is under the blanket and in the engine compartment. I keep my unit plugged in and turned on from the time I put it back into the hanger until I pull it back out to fly again. (During winter months) I also have a ceramic heater that I put in the cabin of the plane to warm up the interior and instruments. I have steam gages. I turn on the ceramic heater an hour or two before I fly.
When I get my RV finished it will have the Reiff system it. We finally broke back into the double digits for temp this afternoon, but it is snowing. Tomorrow will be a no fly day but a plow the airport day.
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  #18  
Old 12-08-2013, 06:23 PM
BillL BillL is online now
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobRV7 View Post
I have a Kat's 24150 150W installed on my superior 180, heats the oil in 15-20min and easily glues to the oil case, on since 2009. I don't leave it on only plug it in a before flight. As good as th reif but only about $30.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9139_200339139
Bob, I see the northern tool specs say it is not thermostatic controlled, but the same Kat model from Amazon says it is thermo controlled. Can you help with this answer?
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Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
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  #19  
Old 12-08-2013, 06:45 PM
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Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
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Location: Mojave
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I have 2 of these Kat models and they are straight plug, no thermostat. This company makes several models of these, so it's possible one will have a thermostat, but not these.
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WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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  #20  
Old 12-08-2013, 07:54 PM
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schristo@mac.com schristo@mac.com is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 988
Default lots of options...

if you only need it occasionally there are lots options

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RV7 powered by a lycoming thunderbolt IO-390
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with more hours flying than building... 2,430 on the hobbs!
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