Heater Opinions for twin

[N3322G]

Well, we don't need it often in Texas but we're 'fixn' to' travel to both coasts in the near future so a heater would be nice to have. Our Janitrol is not happy and we think we can overhaul it but if the combustion tube is shot, we'll be looking at a couple of thousand to replace.

Once you get to that expense level, we want to look at new heaters too. What opinions/experiences are folks finding on the new heaters - especially interested in hearing from those that routinely fly in colder climates - as our twin did in its youth in Chicago.

Oh, if we O/H block to block will be about 3 weeks. For anyone who has done the work - how hard is it to 'tie-off' the fuel and fly anyway since a heater is not required.

Thanks in advance for any friendly advice.

[Bryan Burnette]

Pat,

I don't have a lot of experience yet but I have been happy with the C&D that was put in my plane. No AD's so far and it works great.

[N3322G]

Bryan,

Thanks - just checked pricing on that - NICE upgrade.

appreciate the reference. I have a vague sense, just reading the Forums that folks are pleased with them.

[George Kretschmann]

Help me out Pat what is C&D?

[N3322G]

George,
Here's the link ... http://www.aircraftheater.com/

It is about $1000 more than sticking with Janitrol but depending upon how much you dislike diddling with ADs, how long you plan to keep your twin and how often you use the heater, this might be a good option.

Kristin, in a verbal conversation, suggested checking a couple of non-heater switches first. If they aren't the problem, we may go C & D just cause we dislike maintenance downtime and ADS so much.

[George Kretschmann]

Thanks Pat...we did fly some in some 20 degree temps but the two of us were bundled up. I just did not want to turn on the heater, Thanks for the link. G

[Christopher Hufnagel]

Hi Pat,

Any updates on the heater?
Mine decided to take a vacation today, not sure if it is permanent retirement or vacation yet.
Since I am not sure what I am in for, I wanted to hear where you were headed.
The C&D link you posted was helpful and informative. If i am headed down that road I like that option.
Hopefully it is a combustion fan issue and brushes will remedy as it has been quite the trooper over the years.
Unlike Dallas, a heater is essential in SAF and would sure be a comfy luxury on tomorrows planned trip!

Thanks,
chris

[N3322G]

Chris,

The more folks I talk with, the more I learn.

The facts are we have 40 hours on the heater and 19 years since a complete O/H by Harold Haskins. The heater currently passes all tests except, it won't cycle off. Last year we used it 0.1 hours - yup, 6 minutes.

It is possible that switches may have corroded due to lack of use. page 13-85 of the Service Manual gives three possible causes for the condition we have. So I'm headed to Clifton on Tuesday for problem determination help. Kristin Winter, former Minnesotan, ' speaks heater' rather well, as she puts it. She has graciously loaned me the two most likely switches as they just aren't something Texans stock. We'll see what happens.

In the meantime I also learned the Janitrol can be upgraded to C&D-like AD-free status. See this link. http://www.hartzellenginetech.com/aircr ... eater.html This was courtesy of Harold Haskins and Pat Barry.

I also heard one precise mechanic in NJ say he wasn't pleased with the C&D quality he saw, specifically the welds and knows of owners that have removed them - so bad batch or real quality problems, don't know - others swear by the C&D quality and are very happy.

Looks like there may be two reasonable choices in the market. I may not have to make this decision. I'll let you know what happens next week.

If it is just the combustion motor/fan Haskins said $300 to OH IIRC.

[Christopher Hufnagel]

Pat,

Thanks for the great information, as always!

Our trip to SDL was nice and toasty despite the issues I thought we had.
The heater did not work on the ground during a taxi run to the self serve pump.
However, Saturday morning and today as well, the heater worked fantastic and even kept us warm at 17,000' where the OAT was -4F.

If anything, I think our issue may be a combustion fan as well. But for now, I am not touching something that is doing what is should when it is most important.

We will check it out an annual in a couple of months.

I would, however, like to hear the end to our story... for future reference!

Thanks again and safe flights to you!!
chris

[steen]

Chris,
The combustion fan motor is necessary for ground ops....insufficient airflow will not allow the ignition process to occur....for
obvious reasons (overheat). I am probably the only one still operating generators!!!!(gasp) rather than alternators on the twin
and the cut-in rpm for generator online is near 1600rpm, so ground ops is battery volts only so I don't plan heater ops on the
ground....I do run fan only for defrost ops and it works ok.
On take-off the first switch touched after gear up is the heater on and the cabin warms up quickly.
We are based in far north Ill. near Pat's old grounds so heater ops is important but my wife usually has the heater on in cruise at
8-12 thousand feet even in mild weather so our heater is used quite a bit, sometimes with outside vents open also to balance out
the cabin temps.
Steen

[N3322G]

The story continues.

Courtesy of Clifton - The heater is on its way to Harold Haskins today. It appears that the internal fuel solenoid valve is not shutting off. It is the 1st of the 3 problems in the service manual when the heater is not cycling. Table XIII-II. Switch was also adjusted.

Later today, Ken and I will sit down and discuss which direction we'll go. IRAN, O/H or upgrade.

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Steen,
I think you typoed the last post. The vent fan is needed for ground ops, and the combustion fan is needed for all ops. Low combustion air pressure from the combustion blower (thats where the pressure switch comes in) will cause a non start. Lack of vent fan will cause an overheat on the ground, but it will work fine in flight as the fan is deactivated with the gear up as the ram air is sufficient to cool the heat exchanger. As a matter of fact the vent blower inop is a separate MEL item from the heater on most aircraft types MMEL so that the heater can continue to be used in flight.
Zach