Engine Dryer

[Stewbronco]

Anyone got one of these in use ? Tried a couple of emails and phone call to order but no response... hope still in business as looks like a great product and neighbour at hangar has older version and it is great ! https://www.enginedryingsystem.com/?page_id=201
Thanks. Stew

[Av8torTom]

I have and use the Engine Saver available from Aircraft Spruce. My engine has not yet been run and so I have desiccators in the upper spark plug holes. I used to have to recharge them about once a week. Since using the engine savor I haven?t had to recharge them since June. I?ve recharged the desiccant in the Engine Saver twice since June. A LOT of piece of mind.

[TShort]

I made my own, pretty cheap with parts from Amazon:





One plug in the oil filler, one in the breather. You have to plug the "intake" in the aquarium pump to make it a closed circuit. I put a filter on the end of the tube in the desiccant bottle to keep any silica out of the engine.

I've had it in use for 2 years, just now regenerated the silica beads for the first time.

There is a fair amount of moisture in the tubing when it is first connected after shut down.

[rocketman1988]

Do you have a sketch of the plumbing on your homemade rig?

Also, do you plug the intake and exhaust when the dryer is running?

Thanks

[TShort]

I don't have a drawn schematic; links to parts below.

Pump pulls air from top of beads (through filter on end of tube in the container), into a hole drilled into the case of the pump. Filled the intake on the pump with caulk. Output goes to oil filler, return from breather goes into bottom of silica bead container.

I went cheap, didn't buy special containers etc and used old scrap wood. The oil dipstick fits perfectly into 1" PVC via a PVC junction. The old ice cream container (brown lid) is for storing the rubber plugs when not in use. They get oily, this keeps dust off so I don't contaminate the filler tube when reinserting.


Pump:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PB8SNQ/

Beads:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013L2Z2MY/

Stoppers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ES3UE9C/

Hope that helps...

[TShort]

Good question on plugging the intake / exhaust; I have not been doing so. I'd be interested in thoughts on whether it would make a big difference. I certainly don't hear any air leak / movement when I listen at either spot. I suppose having the throttle closed counts some for the intake. The aquarium pump isn't moving huge volumes, either.

[David Lewis]

Originally Posted by TShort

Pump pulls air from top of beads (through filter on end of tube in the container), into a hole drilled into the case of the pump. Filled the intake on the pump with caulk.

I love your solution. I've seen other references to the aquarium pump inlet needing to be plugged, but don't understand the reason. Can you provide the explanation for this requirement? I want to make one of these.