Reiff Hotstrip sump heater

[A2022]

I received a couple emails for my sump heater. I use FAA approved Reiff Hotstrip that has two 100W heaters with a thermostat and that has been enough heat for the past 12 years. Parked on the ramp in Wichita this winter, I had the line man plug me in the night before, with no cowl inlet covers or blankets, oil door closed, electrical cord routed to the cowl exit, the engine started like summertime. Sure beats $100 overnight hangar fee. To install, scuff the surfaces, apply supplied adhesive, tape the heater in position then use wax paper and a piece of foam to apply constant even pressure and tape foam in place for adhesive cure.

That's the original carb heat cable, lever and airbox. 1300+ hours with no detectable wear.

Oil quick drain has been removed because of Martin's death.
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=6262

Reiff Hotstrip Oil Sump Heater
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... eaters.php









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A dipstick heater will heat the oil and the air in the oil pan. Also dipstick heaters were outlawed in Canada due to engine fires. But they are still sold in USA. Dipstick heaters are usually 20 inches to 24 inches long and before you drive the car you have to pull the heater out and replace the dipstick.

[bullojm1]

I installed the Reiff sump heaters back in 2010. I have them connected to an outdoor wifi controllable outlet (Meross MSS620, $25 https://a.co/d/7gNhpeZ). Works great - from home I can use the Meross app and turn on for free my sump heater. Even a second outlet I sometimes connect to a trickle charger.



I've played with a couple of ideas of how to pre-heat on the ramp, but all of them were just too hot of air for me to feel comfortable enough to plumb into the cowl - I was afraid I would melt the engine!

These type of diesel heaters are appealing to me - low power consumption - I am sure I could use the RV's battery or a DeWalt battery from my power tools. The heat output mentioned in the video below looks reasonable - the guy puts his hand on the output. Diesel is not a bad choice for a safe fuel to potentially share the cockpit with you. Price is about $120 on Amazon for this random model I found - https://a.co/d/3hYyWX5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quks6kyhlu4

[A2022]

I made a heater from a camp stove. I've used it a couple times in a pinch. Once on a fishing trip to Michigan and another time that I can't remember where I was. I later printed a base with a wide flange for the propane tank and duct capture to better stabilize. it is relatively light and compact as the ducting compresses and the stove and tank fits inside. you don't want to have any fuel leaking around because there is a fire underneath the aircraft. it is only able to take the edge off the cold, but I don't believe I would have been able to start the engine without it as I have no primer system. on that day, the Money beside me had ice in his tanks and was stuck there. hey, ice is not nice!










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this is my standard hangar air pre-heat for the past 10 years.

[bullojm1]

I saw this on Facebook, looks promising!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dDTPSbogpUU

[A2022]

seems to be very useful. I suppose you could pack it in the plane, 20 lb dry and some volume. I wonder if they make a smaller version, like half of this.

[bullojm1]

seems to be very useful. I suppose you could pack it in the plane, 20 lb dry and some volume. I wonder if they make a smaller version, like half of this.

Looks like this may be the ticket! 10 Lbs

https://m.vevor.com/diesel-heater-c_103 ... nAQAvD_BwE

[A2022]

seems to be very useful. I suppose you could pack it in the plane, 20 lb dry and some volume. I wonder if they make a smaller version, like half of this.

Looks like this may be the ticket! 10 Lbs

https://m.vevor.com/diesel-heater-c_103 ... nAQAvD_BwE

relatively small and light weight. perfect for an RV airplane. it may also work with AVgas. that way you could just drop the pump tube in the aircraft gas tank and plug it into the aircraft cigarette lighter for power. since it will be outside next to the plane, no need for an exhaust muffler.

[bullojm1]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/VEVOR-5-KW- ... /332443024


Hmmm, $80 from Home Depot - great price and option to return it easily if it doesn't work as expected. I may have to pull the trigger on this to give it a try. I don't think 100LL would work with this, I've only seen references to diesel/kerosene/Jet-A. Maybe I can bribe the line guys at the local airport to take care of their dumped JetA from the big jets?! . For how efficient this device is, I don't think much JetA would be needed in the cockpit. Alternatively, it would work in a bind when my wifi sump heater decides to turn off in the middle of the night and I get to the airport with a cold engine.

[A2022]

the outboard jet engines on the B36 peacemaker ran fine on AVgas. these jet engines were relatively low pressure and temp in the combustion chamber compared to modern jet engine. they were limited duration usage. a simple diesel heater is low pressure and temperature. AVgas would probably be a better fuel to use since you have it right there in the aircraft tanks. in this way, you are not carrying any fuel in the cabin.

[A2022]

what about this one, so that you don't need to have a goofy remote. just turn the rotating switch. amazing price. I don't understand how they can sell them for that. the rotating switch may have a thermocouple in it, so placement may affect control if it is outside, but it still should work.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/VEVOR-17060 ... -n/a-_-n/a

[A2022]

seems to be very useful. I suppose you could pack it in the plane, 20 lb dry and some volume. I wonder if they make a smaller version, like half of this.

Looks like this may be the ticket! 10 Lbs

https://m.vevor.com/diesel-heater-c_103 ... nAQAvD_BwE

I bought the one you saw on Home Depot website. 10 lbs. I am going to try it on AVgas, like a B-36. 6 turning and 4 burning!