Preheat remote switching

[PropellerHead]

Awesome!

You realize that you have just been added to some DHS watch list for buying a cell phone activated relay from Romania right? :-)

[airlina]

Funny you mention that, I was gonna reference what my contraption looked like, but figured I'd be ramp checked by customs and border protection on my next flight- so lets just call it the preheat actuation device and leave it at that. Bruce

[TahoeTim]

Or www.switchboxcontrol.com

I own one. Reiff makes one too.

[jrevens]

That's cool - it would make a nice clean unit for very little money. I notice the 4 relays are rated at 3 amps each. Can they be triggered simultaneously (if you wanted to parallel them)? If you use this set-up, do you use an additional relay for switching your heater PropellerHead? The combined 12 amps might be marginal for many heaters. What kind of battery & how long does it last (I assume you might use a power supply).

[n85ae]

Thanks a lot Bruce, now my entire family is probably under NSA surveillance
since we've exchanged emails over the years. That thing looks like it's
right out of a movie ...



My solution, - I leave mine turned on all the time, with the thermostat set
on low and the heat output on low as well. Keeps my engine warm to the
touch, and the electric bills low enough that the airport manager doesn't
complain ...

Jeff

[DesertFox4]

hope you Desertfox guys didn't read all this caus you won't need it! Bruce N199CL

We Desertfox people would love to have a remote preheat system. My 912S is very cold blooded at 50 degrees F or below. Trouble is Bruce, I'd lose my hangar immediately if caught with anything plugged in while unattended. Against the rules and all that you know.
You guys with private hangars got it made all over me.

Great thread guys with lots of good info.

[GregA]

One I built a few years ago using a similar setup:

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ghlight=switch

Greg

[Paul Z]

I got picking through the Vans link and found this very nice switch design.

http://www.rvplane.com/?categoryid=10000&dayid=1005

Oops update, this one doesn't fall Ito the inexpensive category, $180 for the switch.

[airlina]

One I built a few years ago using a similar setup:

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ghlight=switch

Greg

Greg, Nice setup there-very similar to mine. I wired my relay switch to a 15 amp outlet so I could plug in my extension cord to the preheater . I also thought about putting the cellphone in the box, but wasn't sure how strong my signal strength in the hangar would be so thats why its on the outside. T mobile prepaid plan is $10 for 3 months or $3.33/mo. After 3 mos you have to recharge the minutes for another $10 which I probably will do to get me thru May (yes around here we need preheat for 6 mos.) My rule is preheat below 40 deg OAT-makes for a happy engine and easy startup . And Jeff H. sorry for making you an accomplice . Bruce N199CL