Tanis Heater time question

Warlock

Warlock

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Warlock
Never used it...but my Arrow has one installed...how long from plug in till crank would you suggest...just never gets that cold down here...but might be useful tommorow...planning to plug it in prior to flying since she gets cranky when it drops below 40 degrees and its way less than that.
 
I plug in the night prior. For full capable temp, it's going to vary based on your conditions. When I was in a private hangar, I preheated all season. In the summer it was nice to be able to just fire and go. Now I. In a community hangar and have to ask politely for the FBO to plug me in or drive out to the hangar and do it myself.
 
My flight schools plugs all the planes in the night before. I've been able to plug in for 20-30 minutes and start up with no problems.
 
I kick mine on at 2AM and when I get to the airport around 8 it's more than warm enough.

I don't think 20-30 is going to do much

From Tanis's own FAQ:
How long does it take to preheat?

  • Tanis preheat systems are designed so you will achieve the maximum benefit from our system within 6 hours of use. Most of our data logging results show a 40 to 50 degree F increase within the first two hours of use.
  • Refer to engine/aircraft documentation for minimum temperature required for starting. The heating follows a “standard reducing curve” for the temperature rise of the engine.
 
Warlock said:
Never used it...but my Arrow has one installed...how long from plug in till crank would you suggest...just never gets that cold down here...but might be useful tommorow...planning to plug it in prior to flying since she gets cranky when it drops below 40 degrees and its way less than that.
Click to expand...

From your other posts I'm guessing you're in Houston, where the low tonight is forecast to be about 27 F.

For that temperature, plug it in the night before and you should be good. If you have an old blanket or sleeping bag to throw over the cowl that's good, too, but it's not essential unless it gets significantly colder than 27.
 
Although not Tanis, here's Reiff's information:

http://reiffpreheat.com/product.htm#Heating time

My dad's F150 manual suggests that 4 hours is what you need to gain nearly all of the available temperature rise from the engine block heater, which is pretty much in line with some testing I've done at work as well. As a result that's generally my target preheat time for the airplane too.
 
Like others have said, best is to plug it in the night before. If you have a really long drive to the airport, you might look into a cell phone switch.
 
It's easiest to plug in the night before. Or get a cell switch and keep the plane plugged into it all winter. Then call an hour or two before you leave the house, or when you go to bed the night before.
 
Must say really worked well...fired off like it was 80 degrees outside on the second swing...that was a pleasure indeed.
 
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