Getting Rotax 912ULS Up To Temperature

by Perry Delano

Mar 15

Hi all,

I am wondering if there is a simple tried and true method of getting a 912 up to operating temp or close to it during warm up period. I have looked at the thermostat route, and was convinced the AntisplatAero air damper was the way to go, but after some reading I'm not convinced of either route.

My plane is based in the Vancouver, BC, so temps are a lot warmer than the rest of Canada in fall, winter and spring so I'm not looking for a solution that will work in arctic conditions. In a video Sebastien and Roger made, Roger mentioned having a damper he could close to get engine up to temperature, as well as a cabin heater, both seem like nice to haves.

My oil cooler and radiator are exposed to prop blast so a little air impedance with a grill of some sort would be a start.  

PD

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  • up

    Perry Delano

    Hi Jay and Matt,

    Thanks for your thoughts on my inquiry. In the short term I will go for the tape. Matt if you have a picture of your cabin heat muff install, please send it to me. I have not seen much on heat muffs with Rotax Engines.

    Longer term, I see the advantage of having the oil cooler near the firewall with the NACA vent and small length of duct: So easy to install a butterfly valve/damper and it seems apparent one does not need to have the oil cooler up front be blasted by the prop like I do. Food for thought there. 

    Using the coolant to supply a cabin heater seems the way to go, I will check out the viking arrangement. I realize it is adding a point of failure, but using heat muff around exhaust has its concerns as well. That said, 701 is so drafty CO might not be a big concern.

    Cold is not a big concern in Vancouver right now. Delta Heritage Airpark where my plane is based looks more like a lake at the moment. Great if 701 was on floats.

    Perry

    2

    Mar 19

    • up

      Perry Delano

      Hi All,

      Update:

      Taped off about 3" of radiator and 1.5" of oil cooler, and ran engine for about 1/2 hour around 3000 rpm, Temps might have got to 130F. Ambient temp around 10 C. Might really tape it off next time to get temps up above 212 for a couple minutes at least.

      Perry

      Mar 25

      • up

        Joe Harrington

        Hi Perry,

        I am using a Thermostasis oil thermostat on my 912iS powered 750 STOL. It has worked perfectly for me but engine/airframe configuration plays a big part in how it will work. The 915iS Kitfox guys here locally had to remove their Thermostasis's because they were getting too high of oil temperatures when the weather was warm. I have had to idle for 15 minutes at +34C OAT while waiting for takeoff clearance without a problem. I don't fly in real cold weather but it warms up to 140 f in 3 or 4 minutes when it is +2C OAT and maintains between 200 and 210 f in all flight conditions (both cool weather and hot weather flying). Again, the configuration that Skytek/Rotech designed is extremely good so your results might vary.

        Cheers,

        Joe

        Mar 26