Homemade cabin heater core

[Esser]

As much as I like buying from Kitfox, has anyone made their own cabin heater setup with a motorcycle rad and some CPU fans? It doesn't seem too difficult, I'm just worried about a leaking cap etc since it's on it's side.

As much as I like buying from kitfox, with the exchange rate being what it is, I think I could make this for about a hundred bucks CDN as apposed to three hundred USD.

Any thoughts, objections?

[Ramos]

Why not just use an actual heater core for a small car? NAPA (in the USA) sells many of them for less than $50.00 around here. It would eliminate the concern of a leaky cap. Just thinking out loud, here.....

[Av8r3400]

I used a small "Earl's Cooler" from Jegs with CPU fans to make mine.

The plate style cores transfer heat more efficiently than the woven tube style.

[Norm]

As much as I like buying from Kitfox, has anyone made their own cabin heater setup with a motorcycle rad and some CPU fans? It doesn't seem too difficult, I'm just worried about a leaking cap etc since it's on it's side.

As much as I like buying from kitfox, with the exchange rate being what it is, I think I could make this for about a hundred bucks CDN as apposed to three hundred USD.

Any thoughts, objections?

Josh I have one out of a Geo Metro I can send you if you would like.
Norm

[jrthomas]

Here's some from Canada. A pretty good price too. http://seareycanada.com/Aircraft%20Cockpit%20Heaters.htm

[jrthomas]

I bought this one last year. Last winter was so mild I haven't installed it yet. It looks to be very high quality. http://www.universalpartsinc.com/shopping/productDetails.aspx?i=750255&c=10550

[Esser]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Norm I may take you up on your offer. Maybe when Jeremy is back out west and I finally go see his plane.

Has anyone reversed one of the fans and drilled holes in the glare shield for defrost?

[efwd]

Yes, someone mentioned that they had done that in a previous thread. seems to me that that might not be a bad idea. There happens to be so much blow by from the top of the fan I am not sure if I won't be getting that effect anyhow. It feels to me that only half the fan output makes it through the heater core.
Eddie

[Esser]

I wonder what kind of DC motor it is? If you could reverse the polarity so it went backwards when you needed defrost and forwards when your wind shield was taken care of.

[Danzer1]

Josh, these are simple pc fans. Many places sell reversible fans. For that matter, many also sell water cooling pc radiators that are set up for 1 to 4 fans and also drilled to accept the fan mounting and with various coolant inlet and outlet sizes and locations. Try http://www.frozencpu.com/ for both items.

Greg

[HighWing]

Has anyone reversed one of the fans and drilled holes in the glare shield for defrost?

Several years ago I helped a friend finish his series 5. His plan was Alaska flying and wanted defrost. I made a fiberglass - J shape that would capture a bit of the downward forced air and direct it up and through the glare shield. It was made by carving the desired shape in foam, covering it with fiberglass then carving out the foam. It was on whenever the heater was on. Actually there were two parts connected by a length of SCAT tubing. The top fitting was fabricated the same way and took the round from the SCAT tubing and reshaped the flow to a long oblong to direct the air across the windshield.

[Slyfox]

I know my handle is slyfox. but I also am a rebel in another way. My heater is lets say back yard. but it's light and no problems with water leaks. I use a funnel and 2inch scat hose. I put an oil funnel, mine is plastic, behind the radiator. I zip tie it to the heater. I put it on the right side. then I take a piece of card board and block the front of the radiator and take a rigid tie from a cooler kit and put that through the radiator with no lock in the back. I have two sizes of cardboard. one that blocks the radiator to the funnel the other about half. depending on the outside temp I choose which block I want.

what this does is I have NO need for a fan. I have no need to cut into the water pipes. I can get some real good heat off this. I run the scat tube off the funnel and run it into the cab in the floor. I use the area that the old bungee cord landing gear use to be. I have to flatten the hose a little to get it through there, and then at the end I take a 90degree pvc pipe fitting to direct it to my feet.

the most important thing I do for winter heat is to block off outside air to the inside. I do this with a big sheet of plastic. I take off the engine cowl and go from the firewall at the engine side and drape it over and tape it to the windscreen and then down the side and wrap around in front of the doors. kind of cheesy but it works very well. I use zip ties for that and duct tape. I fly down to 25 degrees outside. any colder, well lets say, I fly the other plane :D .

[Esser]

All great info thanks everybody. If I can't fly my plane down to -20C (-4F) I won't be able to use it much up here :D

I understand plugging the leaks is a big part of the battle too. I have some ideas for that but it will be all as I go stuff. I should have enough jam with my ext ally to run a heated vest if needed.

[Danzer1]

I should have enough jam with my ext ally to run a heated vest if needed.

Heated socks work wonders too! :)

[Slyfox]

All great info thanks everybody. If I can't fly my plane down to -20C (-4F) I won't be able to use it much up here :D

I understand plugging the leaks is a big part of the battle too. I have some ideas for that but it will be all as I go stuff. I should have enough jam with my ext ally to run a heated vest if needed.
yes, I forgot the heat vest. that's works very well also. I can understand you needing the inside water heater. using the plastic to cover things is a must. when I put the plastic back on I'll have to post a picture, right now I have none. but when you fly your airplane take note on all the air coming from under the panel. that's where the air needs to stop. it's mainly coming from the windscreen and dumping straight down into the cowl then into your feet. some will come over the firewall under the cowl also. I cover all that and there is no air when I'm done. again the weight from that is minimal. I love a light plane. I also did some work and did some covering above the door at the wing. that worked out real good. then you can put some duct tape between the door and where it meets up after you close the door. I do that also. I release it on one side and then open the door. another redneck way of doing things I guess.