Cockpit Heat Question

[bluemaule]

My RV-7 heater doesn't put out much heat. I've been told that stretching a screen door spring out and wrapping it around the exhaust pipe inside the muff slows the air down and greatly increases the temp of heat coming into the cockpit. Anyone know if that works? Any downside/danger? Thanks for your help!

[AltonD]

I found on mine, if I throttle open the heater valve instead of full open, I get a better quality heat. Lower air flow, but higher temp. Yeah, I know, it makes no sense: What is not going to the cabin is getting dumped to the cowling via the heater valve, but it is what it is. I have flown with only a light jacket with it being in the low 20s outside. I did install heated seats. The wife is the only one to have ever turned them on. of course, if it is 50 degrees outside, she is freezing (That is why I put them in).

[Mark7986]

I added another heat muff on the other exhaust on my 6 and ran together in series. Got more heat then I need. Doing the same thing on the 7 I'm building.

Mark
Fairmont , MN

[Rupester]

Some builders have added another heat muff and valve; installed it on the pilot's side, and then directed the center heat distributor toward the passenger side.

[rvsxer]

I have 2 Robbins heat muffs on a Vetterman crossover system, each running to an "RV-4" wedge shaped valve on the firewall. One for each seat. When I bought the muffs there were some complaints as to their performance and Jeff told me to block off some of the inflow from the 2" scat. I only have a 1" hole for the input air and they provide more than enough heat, even at 0 F.

[loopfuzz]

I put in 2 heated seats. That plus normal heat muff makes us nice and warm at any altitude. I think it cost me around 100 bucks on ebay for a 2 seat car kit. Just throwing out another option.

Christopher.

[Greg Arehart]

What's the current draw on those heated seats?

greg

[loopfuzz]

Originally Posted by Greg Arehart

What's the current draw on those heated seats?

If I remember right, it's around 2-3 amps (per seat) on low setting and around 4-5 (per seat) on high. I used the carbon fiber type.

[rv9av8tr]

I used heavy springs inside the carb heat muff for my Long-EZ, it definately helped, but after several years the exhaust pipe heat takes a toll and eventually some of the loops broke.

What Al says does make sense, the lower flow rate through the muff allows more time inside the muff to pick up heat, thus the temp will be higher. Q=mV DeltaT. Volume goes down, Delta T goes up.

I've flown my -9A with temps in the 20's and have adequate cabin heat with standard installation. It's not in the 70's, but does a good job taking the "nip" out of the air. Guess it all depends on what your expectations are. After flying the Long-EZ 22 yrs with no cabin heat, the RV heater is awesome!!

[Brantel]

Here in East Tn, I have found that if I don't have enough heat, all I need to do is lean properly and it comes right up to snuff....