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Pre heating engine: Cold Weather Start

in General Tech Discussion 11 years ago
I am seeking advise on cold weather starting of my Rotax 912ULS. I have purchased a magnetic block heater that will attach to the bottom of the oil reservoir. The reservoir itself is in fact stainless, but there is a steel bolt on the bottom. I am also thinking of covering the engine with a blanket (my aircraft (Powered Parachute) does not have cowling).

Question: It is important that his engine warm to 120d oil temp to insure that all components have time to heat up. Aluminum, steel, etc. Does pre-heating the oil change this? Any concerns?

We saw 24 below zero two weeks ago and my machine is stored in a trailer. I think a blanket would help warm all components.

Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Matt

  • Re: Pre heating engine: Cold Weather Start

    by » 11 years ago

    You must have the oil warm up to 120F before takeoff as it is a dry sump system and cold, thick oil does not flow as well.
    As far as successful starting in cold weather he main item to pre-heat is the induction manifolds!
    The magnetic block heater will not do much; I think the best thing for you at -20F is a Tanis system and several blankets.
      
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  • Re: Pre heating engine: Cold Weather Start

    by » 11 years ago

    Matt,

    One other option you might consider if you have only the block heater is to install it on the oil tank and burp the engine when you store it. If the oil tank is close enough to the engine, wrap tank and engine with blankets to help distribute the heat from the oil tank. This will at least keep the oil fluid enough for good circulation.
      
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  • Re: Pre heating engine: Cold Weather Start

    by » 11 years ago

    Thanks for the advise gents. I appreciate it.
      
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  • Re: Pre heating engine: Cold Weather Start

    by » 11 years ago

    I agree with Rob. The Tanis is the gold standard for aircraft engine pre-heaters for comparison. It helps saturate the entire engine and not just the oil tank or bottom of the engine. It does cost more, but does a good job. Other engine pre-heaters were made for wet sump engines and a couple Mfg's tried to adapt to ta dry sump. Tanis made their Rotax engine pre-heater just for the Rotax. They do make other engine pre-heaters, but with those specific engines in mind. A good pre-heater heats as much of the engine mass as possible all the way to the core and out to the external areas.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell

      
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  • Re: Pre heating engine: Cold Weather Start

    by » 11 years ago

    Hi,
    I have the Reiff 150 watt preheat setup on my 912 uls. It has the heating pad on the bottom of the crankcase and one on the oil tank . they are thermostatically controlled with a sensor on the oil tank.
    you could leave it plugged in all the time , I have it on a timer for about 5 hrs of preheat.

    I use an insulated cowl cover and prop cover from bruce's custom as well . at -15 C , using a laser thermometer, there is a good overall heating of everything , some areas are warmer than others but the lower temp parts are well in the 60 F range.

    When I start it ,it is an easy start and oil pressure is almost instant, the temps are up within a couple minutes max, this is at -10 C to -15 C , any colder I do my flying on the computer!
      
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