Tanis or reiff system are the two "mobile" systems I know of. I went with the Tanis on my Jabiru so I will have heat at my destination.
Tanis or reiff system are the two "mobile" systems I know of. I went with the Tanis on my Jabiru so I will have heat at my destination.
It depends on the support at the airport you land at , or the "mission" you are flying.
What I mean is if you stay overnight at an airport with a heated transient hangar your needs would be very different than if you are on a frozen lake at a remote cabin that has no power etc.
For outside at -20 C , a good insulated engine cover, insulated spinner /prop cover that seals off the cowling and is totally wind proof is a start.
Is there access to a portable power generator ? Then all your electrically powered heaters, blockheater pad/elements may work . and you can keep the battery charged and warm
If no power, then an Alaskan type multi-fuel stove and plenium system may fit the bill. I think if you google engine preheater or alaskan engine heater you'll get the idea behind the stove / pipe into the lower cowl opening setup.
I am in the research stage of the alaskan type stove heater, mostly for ice fishing trips.
If I could find a small/light enough 800-1000 watt inverter or generator that is my other option I'm looking at. this would definitely weigh more but no open flame! FF Kev
Kevin,
Kitfox Outback
912 ULS
Airmaster AP332CTFH-WWR70W
Summit Aircraft Wheel Skis
C-FOXW
Tanis is the only heater I've used. I just bought a Vixen with the 912 ULS and am considering a Tanis for this as well. I have installed the Tanis on two Continental 4 cylinders, a Lycoming 4 and a HKS 700E. With any engine however, part of the complete pre-heat package is having a good & efficient insulated engine cover. If you don't have the cover, there is a lot of heat loss that does no good. So...in my case, if I open the door to the best pre-heater kit, I need to follow up with a good cover as well. My opinion is Tanis is the best but the most expensive. My two cents. Skot
MSR Whisperlite Backpacking stove blasting into an aluminum funnel into
dryer duct tubing works as a good emergency heater. I have NOT actually ever
needed to use mine, but I have tested it and it works great. I use the milkhouse
heater solution on mine and typically leave it plugged in and running on low in
the hangar. This works great down to and below 0 degree temps here in
Chicagoland.
Regards,
Jeff