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Heat Box Van's vs Spruce Aluminum vs Aluminum?

jackking123

Well Known Member
Patron
Van's Cabin Heat Valve/"Box" is out of stock. Spruce has one, but they are different. The Van's air valve looks aluminum and riveted together. The Spruce one is SS and spot welded. Frankly the SS one looks good. Any comments?

heat valve.jpg
 
+1 what Terry says.
I would not use an AL heat box.
I bought and installed the Stainless Steel one from Spruce.
Works perfectly and is well made.
 
Mine is Stainless but the control is from FWF. Not a problem on new build. I do wish I had added a flange to route the bypass geat out the bottom of the cowl.
 
Mine is Stainless but the control is from FWF. Not a problem on new build. I do wish I had added a flange to route the bypass geat out the bottom of the cowl.
Exactly what I did, I worried the hot air coming out on my cables and bundle could be an issue.
 

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Thanks for the discussion. Seems I need to order one as it was not included in the finish kit! Or I lost it, which is a possibility.:confused:
Put one in my ACS cart.
 
Thanks for the discussion. Seems I need to order one as it was not included in the finish kit! Or I lost it, which is a possibility.:confused:
Put one in my ACS cart.
It does not come in kit... it's an option I believe. Other options you may consider is engine baffle and dual brakes.... and $$$$$$ other options.... Ha ha.
 
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I’m trying to figure out whether the cabin side or engine side control version is better for my RV-8. On Spruce, it says:

“The cabin side control unit is commonly used on RV7, RV8 and RV9 aircraft where the air is distributed in the cabin through a plenum.”

I’ve looked through my instructions and don’t see anything about a plenum, or cabin heat for that matter. The engine side control version seems more versatile since it has a flange cabin side so you can hook it up to a scat tube and air vent. But where do you run the control cable? And is it as safe as the cabin side control version in a fire?
 
My RV-6 uses "cabin side" control heater valve box. I have the same thing for my RV-8 project.

Just my opinion but I would rather NOT run the cable through the firewall and then try to come up with a way to operate the valve.
 
Cabin side control is better if YOU can do it... IMHO. One less firewall penetration. Who LOVES to drill Stainless Steel? Not me... I dislike heat muffs so much I was thinking of having plug in heated motorcycle suit, seat and gloves. Ha ha. I am kidding (kind of) but read aviation history in the OPEN cockpit days Air postal service in winter... those were manly men. Nav? IFR, I follow roads, and water towers. They flew at NIGHT as well, looking for light beacons that made up the "airway". Yeah. They crashed... a lot. Bottom line freezing temps and all the had was their wool, leather, scarf, googles. Some of those engines spit oil in their face...
 
“The cabin side control unit is commonly used on RV7, RV8 and RV9 aircraft where the air is distributed in the cabin through a plenum.”

Is there a cabin air distribution plenum somewhere on the RV-8 that I’m not seeing in my plans as claimed by ACS? I thought the warm air just got dumped on the pilot’s feet.
 
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