the_other_dougreeves
Well Known Member
Doug had a comment on the front page today about his hairdryer preheating system and that it worked, sort of. Turns out a hairdryer works for the 912 series as well, probably down to around 30F.
If you're too lazy / don't want to install a preheater, you can use a hairdryer in the cooling air scoop. I would recommend only the high-flow, low heat setting on the dryer to try and keep air temps from getting too hot and scorching anything; the dryer is probably putting out 400W or so. It won't heat the oil tank much, but it will get the cylinders and battery warmish, and that will help prevent kickback when starting (kickback is very bad for the gearbox). Mine started easily after 30-40 minutes of preheat - enough time to preflight the airplane and enjoy a cup of coffee with my hangar neighbors. This probably works well for those of us who don't often get temps below freezing.
Be sure to remove the hairdryer before engine start.
If you DO want to install a preheater, both Reiff and Tanis make 912-specific systems. The Reiff is a lot cheaper than the Tanis. Reiff is only a pad on the bottom of the crank and a band around the oil tank. Tanis uses heating elements in bolts that you replace on the inlet manifold and a strip heater on the oil tank. The Tanis probably works better in harsh conditions, but I don't want to fly in harsh conditions - this pilot probably isn't hearty enough to go flying in sub-zero temps (Yes, I know I'm going to take flak from the Yankees on this one).
TODR
If you're too lazy / don't want to install a preheater, you can use a hairdryer in the cooling air scoop. I would recommend only the high-flow, low heat setting on the dryer to try and keep air temps from getting too hot and scorching anything; the dryer is probably putting out 400W or so. It won't heat the oil tank much, but it will get the cylinders and battery warmish, and that will help prevent kickback when starting (kickback is very bad for the gearbox). Mine started easily after 30-40 minutes of preheat - enough time to preflight the airplane and enjoy a cup of coffee with my hangar neighbors. This probably works well for those of us who don't often get temps below freezing.
Be sure to remove the hairdryer before engine start.
If you DO want to install a preheater, both Reiff and Tanis make 912-specific systems. The Reiff is a lot cheaper than the Tanis. Reiff is only a pad on the bottom of the crank and a band around the oil tank. Tanis uses heating elements in bolts that you replace on the inlet manifold and a strip heater on the oil tank. The Tanis probably works better in harsh conditions, but I don't want to fly in harsh conditions - this pilot probably isn't hearty enough to go flying in sub-zero temps (Yes, I know I'm going to take flak from the Yankees on this one).
TODR