How helpful would this be on a cold start?

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Keith Walatka

Filing Flight Plan
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Based off the old “lightbulb” method of preheating (which I know requires the bulb to be on pretty much all of the time the plane sits to even be somewhat effective); …. I was wondering how effective would the following be:

-Get 4-6 "USB Rechargeable Hand Warmers ~10000mAh” off Amazon (fairly easy to have charged each time I show up to the plane)

-Place them in the cowling; cover the cowling & inlets with a blanket

-Grab a cup of coffee at the FBO, check weather/Notams, email on the phone, preflight the plane (aka, ~2hrs),….

-Start the engine (160HP 172)

-How helpful would that be for a plane that sat on the ramp all day in 20 degree temperatures?

I would certainly have to add to my engine start checklist “make sure ALL 6 hand warmers are removed” :)
 
Not very. It would only provide uneven heating and relatively minimal at best. The tops of the case might be warm, but the oil will still be thick as glue. I wouldn’t bother.
 
My guess is it would be like bringing a knife to a gun fight… a sump pad, even an approved one- is cheap…

don’t short yourself with preheat unless you really love your local engine overhauler. Get $150 sump pad and wrap that girl up w blankets if ya don’t have a cowl cover… 4-6 hours later I have cylinder heads tgat are 80 degrees….
 
Keith Walatka said:
10000mAh
Click to expand...
That is 10 Amp hours. The problem with Amp hours, is that Voltage matters.
Lettuce assume 5 volts on account of what USB provides 5 volts.
10 amp hours * 5 volts gives us 50 Watt hours grand total heat energy available.
A 100 Watt light bulb left overnight, say for 10 hours, would be 1,000 Watt hours. Some would be lost as light, but not much.
1000/50 = 20 hand warmers to be equal to leaving yea olde bulb under the cowl overnight.
 
At 20° I wouldn’t bother. Use the correct oil for the season and it’ll start right up.
 
If it was a good idea other pilots would be doing the same thing.
I use a stick on heating pad on my oil sump, works.
Get one and a small genset if there is no power out on the ramp.
 
Gary Ward said:
If it was a good idea other pilots would be doing the same thing.
I use a stick on heating pad on my oil sump, works.
Get one and a small genset if there is no power out on the ramp.
Click to expand...

Install a full system with dual sump pads and preheat time is reduced even with a porta- Gen.

Correct install of heat pads is essential or they will burn out. It’s not exactly reach under cowl and stick on.
 
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