Pre Heater

[Ron Spiker]

Now that spring is here, you're not thinking about an engine pre-heater, but I'll post now for those who would like to add one for next year. I was told by several people that there's no room to install a pre-heater with the engine still in the helicopter. Here's what I did with my B-2B:

I bought an E-Z Heat Model 440 (4" x 4") (http://www.e-zheat.com). Installed it going through the rear access hole, through the storage compartment. Clean off the back and bottom of the oil pan, per mfg instructions. Install with approx. 2" along the back of the pan, then wrap the rest of the pad down around the bottom. Once it sticks in place correctly, apply the sealant all the way around. Getting it to stick in place was difficult, as my arms cramped a lot reaching through the access hole trying to hold it in place for 15 minutes. You'll likely to have to use your finger to get the sealant around the sides and bottom of the pad. I ran the plug out the left side. I cut a hose length-wise and inserted the plug wire into it, then secured it with wire ties to the spark plug wires. The extra plug wire was wrapped and wire-tied in the open area behind the engine, back in the rear access hole area. The plug stops near the edge of the side opening, for easy access to plug it in.

I flew several times this winter when it was 20-25 degrees. The night before each flight I plugged in the heater to keep the oil and entire engine warm. Startups were a snap this way. I never would have attempted starting the engine at these temps without the heater.

Hope this helps someone be able to enjoy flying during the cold weather.

[Del Dammann]

Another way to warm up the engine. I went to the local hardware
store and bought a small fan driven heater with a built in thermostat, It wil fit under the right side engine cover, I then put
some foam rubber in the vent holes on the sides and another piece on the fan holes on the top and I leave it on all the time.
This has the advantage of warming the transmission as well as the
everythin else in the engine compartment. In my part of the country this also prevents condensation in the spring when the
humidity is high and the floor is cold.

[N2285U]

Before I had the heated shop at home I used a ceramic heater like was mentioned, but I have also used (5) 100-watt light bulbs on a strip I built. You can lay them in the engine compartment and put foam on the sides to keep the whole area warm. It also makes a nice trouble light or make-up station for your wife , just don't drop it!

[Ron Spiker]

I took a couple pictures of my preheater install and will try to attach them here. Hope they aren't too large. One is looking in from the rear inspection hole, from w/in the storage compartment. The other is looking in from the left side, looking at how the power cord is secured.