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Post by frfly172 on Nov 5, 2017 20:48:56 GMT
The cowl blanket ,looks like a professional job.
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Post by Flocker on Feb 5, 2019 23:14:35 GMT
Seems like a good time to resurrect this post. I've had a few sluggish starts lately due to cold wx. Those of you on the Aliant Battery & CTEK charger system - how are they holding up over time?
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Post by LSA Flyer on Feb 6, 2019 2:55:29 GMT
My experience is that any of the good trickle battery chargers will keep your battery topped up. Starting with a fully charged battery, the loss of charge in cold temperatures is quite modest. What you really need to focus on is a way to pre-heat the engine and the oil supply. My experience with the Tanis pre heat system has been consistently reliable. www.tanisaircraft.com/shop/piston-preheatI have installed and used this system with my 912ULS and also in a Cub with a O-200, in temperatures down to single numbers. After a night down in the single digits I can rely on water and oil in the mid-60"s when I un-plug the heater cord and start her up. I plug the Tanis into a Switchbox phone switch, cover the cowl with a blanket and the night before flying, use the internet App to turn on the heater. Open the hanger, unplug the Tanis, remove the blanket and off you go. There are cheaper ways to go and if you live in a climate where cold temps are just occasional, the Tanis system is not needed. For my airplanes in New Hampshire I would not be without it. It's a safe and effective solution. Roger Lee, who does a great deal of Rotax work, considers it the Gold Standard for cold weather preheating. I agree. |
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Post by montanapilot on Feb 6, 2019 15:10:01 GMT
Do you keep the Tanis connected all the time?
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Post by LSA Flyer on Feb 7, 2019 1:49:16 GMT
The Tanis has a standard male, molded plug, that stays attached in the engine compartment. I run an extension cord from there to a phone activated switch box. The switch box allows me to turn on/off the Tanis from my smart phone or iPad. If I'm flying the next day I turn on the system the evening before. I do not leave the system on for more than 24 hours. The installation itself is a semi-permanent harness of electrical elements you don't attach and detach. It is however removable if you sell or move to a warm climate. I don't have the weight but it's a couple of lbs at most.
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Post by LSA Flyer on Feb 7, 2019 1:56:03 GMT
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Post by montanapilot on Feb 7, 2019 16:28:38 GMT
Steve-
Re your Tanis - I have one on a 914-powered Astore. I was keeping it unplugged as well. I would just call the line crew the night before I intended to fly, and they'd plug it in. I just found out about the switch box and was going to get one. However, I called Lockwood, and they said that there is no problem just leaving it plugged in all the time. Have you heard anything different? Re the cost of the electricity, the airplane's in a large FBO hangar, so I'm not paying for the electricity, and they're fine with it.
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Post by montanapilot on Feb 7, 2019 16:53:31 GMT
I just called Tanis to see if they agreed that it can be plugged in all of the time, and they do. Needless to say, I have an advantage in not having to pay the electric bill.
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Post by ChrisConnor on Feb 28, 2019 18:07:44 GMT
I use a Twin Hornet 22 and a packing blanket over the cowl. I even put my cowl plugs in. Then, I have the heater on an appliance timer to come on 4 or 5 hours before I fly. I set the timer the day before. I don't want to let it run all the time. As far as the battery, the only time I've ever charged it was when I had been away for a couple of months during cold weather, and that was just as a precaution. I've never had it fail to start the plane, and the battery is the original from 2010. The charger I use is a 1 amp motorcycle charger. They will actually charge a discharged battery, but will not overheat and damage the battery. Then they go to trickle. It's all that's really needed, and using that type of charger prolongs the life of that battery.
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Post by Flocker on Feb 28, 2019 22:11:40 GMT
The charger I use is a 1 amp motorcycle charger. They will actually charge a discharged battery, but will not overheat and damage the battery. Then they go to trickle. It's all that's really needed, and using that type of charger prolongs the life of that battery. Can you post a pic of the charger when you have time? |
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Post by ChrisConnor on Feb 28, 2019 23:12:18 GMT
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Post by ChrisConnor on Mar 1, 2019 0:09:51 GMT
As far as heat, my Twin Hornet works fine. BUT, I tried the E-Z Heat system made for a 912 TWICE. Couldn't get the pad to stick to the oil tank either time, and I prepped the heck out of it. Got my money back.  |
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Post by Flocker on Mar 6, 2019 18:50:22 GMT
What do any of you use for keeping your plane charged? My t-hanger is unheated. I have a 2015 P2008. My P2008 came with an Odyssey PC-545 battery. I contacted Odyssey Support and they sent me this document of approved "trickle" chargers: Approved 12V Charging Systems
I ended up purchasing the BatteryMINDer - Model 2012-AGM ($105.33). It should be here by the end of the week. I'll post a PIREP once I have a chance to use it.
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Post by Glenn on Mar 6, 2019 20:39:15 GMT
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Post by Flocker on Mar 15, 2019 2:47:01 GMT
What do any of you use for keeping your plane charged? My t-hanger is unheated. I have a 2015 P2008. My P2008 came with an Odyssey PC-545 battery. I contacted Odyssey Support and they sent me this document of approved "trickle" chargers: Approved 12V Charging Systems
I ended up purchasing the BatteryMINDer - Model 2012-AGM ($105.33). It should be here by the end of the week. I'll post a PIREP once I have a chance to use it.
The 2012-AGM has performed as expected so far. Left it hooked up over night with no issues. Started without any hesitation today. |
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