I use a Tanis heater and the Switche-On as well on my Cherokee 180, great setup. Also use cowl plugs and a cowl blanket. One thing you didn't talk about that I also use is a simple thermostat controlled heater in the cabin. If you've got analog gauges and gyros, they too are made of dissimilar metals and cold startups can be tough on them too. Added plus, you have a warm cabin during preflight.
You’re absolutely right! The Hornet heaters have a ‘45’ series made for the cabin. It is larger and puts out more heat than the 22. I may add one of those to the setup as well. I do occasionally use a safe space heater in the cabin while I preflight. Again, not the best or most thorough option. Thanks for watching!
There are differing views on the continuous versus periodic use of full engine heat. If I recall correctly, Reif takes the view that continuous operation is fine as the engine temp will not fall to the dew point and thereby avoid corrosion. Coupled with an engine dehydrator, the risk of corrosion is limited still further.
Howdy from KEIK! We are running the "creative" setup on our 182, until we get a Tannis heater installed at overhaul this spring. As an engineer with spare time, working on the DIY version of SwticheOn too (ESP32 board with LTE-M).
Howdy neighbor! Haha. I have a few buddies over at KEIK, I’m over there regularly. That Tannis is a great setup and sure to keep those new jugs happy! Keep us posted on the power switch, I’d like to see that come together. Thanks for watching!
Great video! I’ve got a similar setup to yours. I live in Ohio and store my 182 in an unheated hangar as well. I’ve got the Twin Hornet 22 for the engine along with the Hornet 45 for inside the cabin. The Hornet 45 does a really nice job of warming the cabin and instruments. Both are hooked to the Switcheon unit. One other feature I like about the Switcheon is the built in thermometer that tells the temp inside the hangar. I think I’ll add the sump heater that you’re using during my next annual.
I think I may look at picking up that Hornet 45 as well. Occasionally I’ll throw a safe space heater in the cabin while I preflight. Certainly not the best or thorough option though.
Just place a 12 or 24v hot water heating element in the oil sump and coolant gallery and you are done. Those heating pads are terrible, most of the heat goes outward.
I disagree. I have them on my truck oil pan. One on each external side of the oil pan. They make a very noticeable difference in how fast the engine idle speed kicks down lower after startup on days where it is minus 10F or colder outside. My truck sits outside all year. They may not be the most efficient, but they definitely work. On really blistering cold nights I leave them on all night. If it is not quite as cold, I can get away with just turning them on for a few hours prior to starting the truck. I run full synthetic 5w-20 oil in winter.
I use a Tanis heater and the Switche-On as well on my Cherokee 180, great setup. Also use cowl plugs and a cowl blanket. One thing you didn't talk about that I also use is a simple thermostat controlled heater in the cabin. If you've got analog gauges and gyros, they too are made of dissimilar metals and cold startups can be tough on them too. Added plus, you have a warm cabin during preflight.
You’re absolutely right! The Hornet heaters have a ‘45’ series made for the cabin. It is larger and puts out more heat than the 22. I may add one of those to the setup as well. I do occasionally use a safe space heater in the cabin while I preflight. Again, not the best or most thorough option. Thanks for watching!
There are differing views on the continuous versus periodic use of full engine heat. If I recall correctly, Reif takes the view that continuous operation is fine as the engine temp will not fall to the dew point and thereby avoid corrosion. Coupled with an engine dehydrator, the risk of corrosion is limited still further.
Howdy from KEIK!
We are running the "creative" setup on our 182, until we get a Tannis heater installed at overhaul this spring. As an engineer with spare time, working on the DIY version of SwticheOn too (ESP32 board with LTE-M).
Howdy neighbor! Haha. I have a few buddies over at KEIK, I’m over there regularly.
That Tannis is a great setup and sure to keep those new jugs happy! Keep us posted on the power switch, I’d like to see that come together. Thanks for watching!
@@CO_Pilot will do! If you see a blue/white 182 with big tires, say hi!
Great video! I’ve got a similar setup to yours. I live in Ohio and store my 182 in an unheated hangar as well. I’ve got the Twin Hornet 22 for the engine along with the Hornet 45 for inside the cabin. The Hornet 45 does a really nice job of warming the cabin and instruments. Both are hooked to the Switcheon unit. One other feature I like about the Switcheon is the built in thermometer that tells the temp inside the hangar. I think I’ll add the sump heater that you’re using during my next annual.
I think I may look at picking up that Hornet 45 as well. Occasionally I’ll throw a safe space heater in the cabin while I preflight. Certainly not the best or thorough option though.
Good info… just got a SwitcheOn… works great… Idaho has the same cold weather!
What oil weight do you use in the winter? In the summer?
Do you preheat on cold days even if you’re not flying that day?
Just place a 12 or 24v hot water heating element in the oil sump and coolant gallery and you are done. Those heating pads are terrible, most of the heat goes outward.
I disagree. I have them on my truck oil pan. One on each external side of the oil pan. They make a very noticeable difference in how fast the engine idle speed kicks down lower after startup on days where it is minus 10F or colder outside. My truck sits outside all year. They may not be the most efficient, but they definitely work. On really blistering cold nights I leave them on all night. If it is not quite as cold, I can get away with just turning them on for a few hours prior to starting the truck. I run full synthetic 5w-20 oil in winter.