Cabin Heat Functionality

[flyguy]

Anyone with the Luscombe twin exhaust setup here who will comment on how well the cabin heat muff system works. Mine is presently without it, and I never tried it when it was installed. My 12D has an 85 engine, but I think the 85 and 65 functioning would be at about the same level.

Lets say I want to fly over the Mountains here in Calif. at maybe 12K feet or so in the winter. What kind of help/temperature should I expect from the Luscombe setup? I have owned 3 Taylorcrafts and never checked or used the heater function in any of them.

DC

[Craig]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

I have the Luscombe Exhaust installed on a 85 hp also and as far as supplying hotair to the cabin I think it is hotter than the heat in the 172 I had.

But, with that said you will need to dress warm. Since all that heat only seems to burn my ankles. It will also depend on how well you have sealed up all the other cabin leaks, door seals, bungee covers, cable fairleads through to the Ailerons, etc

[Randy]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

Heat.....wow, what a concept. I just have to see how many layers I can wear and still safely fly the airplane. What is even more fun is sticking your head out the window to fly and land when the windshield gets frosted up.

[perryv1]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

Heat? Whats that.I can relate to the heavy clothing.I have a Ryan Exhaust system and it does work pretty good,but I still have to dress for the job.

[barnstmr]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

The attached article was written by Doug Combs, who is a Luscombe Guru. His observation is that many folks are unaware of the proper implementation of the heat shrouds in a Luscombe split exhaust system. The most important key to this is the EXHAUST SHROUD BAFFLES. This should help maximize the performance out of your system.

[flyguy]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

Most excellent document and information Terry. Thanks much, really appreciate it. Thanks to you other guys for the input.

I'll be back later, when I wake up, to tell what is going on here, as I would not normally be at all concerned with cabin heat in central California.

DC

[N96337]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

I was taught by an old timer, to look out the window and dress like you're going to walk home in that, instead of relying on the heater, and remember that 9 times out of 10, what you have on is what you'll make it out with, if you have a problem. That being said, the pilots right foot and the passenger's left foot are usually pretty comfortable, the windshield will be clear, but it's not going to be like your car.
John

[flyguy]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

OK, here is what is going on. I presently have installed, in my 12D85, an oxygen system that I put together. Amusingly the total cost was about $25. The mask and connecting tubing etc I am using is a medical Non-rebreather type. Pretty much identical to the ones sold by aviation suppliers. The tank is strapped down on the front seat area alongside the door.

After getting it functioning I realized there might be a problem with operating it at "extreme" cold temperatures. For one thing when I put the mask and tubing in my freezer,at zero degrees (F), it came out feeling like it was made of metal. Rigid. That could be a problem.

The other is that if the oxygen tank is at a low temperature the expanding oxygen coming out is going to be even cooler and a user could wind up loosing his nose to frostbite, if he could stand breathing the cold oxygen in the first place.

I presently I do not have a cabin heat muff installed and I would have to install a complete new exhaust system on that side to get that done. Money. Lots.

Sorry about the misleading bit of flying over the mountains. Installed right by the oxygen tank is a notebook computer with an ADS-B receiver and I have found a traffic dead area a few miles South of our airport, so you can imagine what I have in mind.

DC

[Robert Lees]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

[flyguy]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

Last week I took the 12D85 out for a serious check of the oxygen system and ADS-B at a somewhat higher altitude. I went to 12,000 and started using the oxygen at 8,000. Everything on my economy oxygen system functioned perfect. The low temperature turned out to not be a problem, at least at that altitude. The finger oximeter was showing 99% saturation at 12K.

The ADS-B receiver worked fine and I was only seeing a few general aviation tracks in my general area. They were all at lower altitudes. It is rather awkward to use in the plane because of the bright environment and the small script on the display.

I cooled it at 12,000 because I could see that this MUCH heavier airplane was not going to perform like my old lightweight one did before. It was still going up at 200 ft/min., but I was having to work at it. I could see it was not going to do anything more that would be really impressive, so I came on back down. Took a long time to get down to the surface.

Interesting flight.

Darryl

[DanBrown]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

The heater on my BC seems to work OK, but with so much outside air coming in around the doors, by the wing roots, where the bungee cords attach, etc., etc. and so forth, it doesn't do much good. Perhaps the Alaska tribe can contribute words of wisdom on cabin heat?

[senior]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

The heater on my BC seems to work OK, but with so much outside air coming in around the doors, by the wing roots, where the bungee cords attach, etc., etc. and so forth, it doesn't do much good. Perhaps the Alaska tribe can contribute words of wisdom on cabin heat?

Well I'm not from Alaska but it's -23C here this morning.
Seal your doors & wing roots, I built a Styrofoam box around my bungee mount to seal it, (duct tape holds Styrofoam real well) insulate the cabin & it's quite comfortable with stock Taylor heat muffs.
I also have a 2nd heat system that uses the carb heat otherwise dumped when not in use, but my bird is not in Certified category
The only other thing I might do (some day) is direct regular cabin heat off my left foot before it starts to melt my toes.

[astjp2]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

I used real mufflers because at altitude I have seen -15, even then it only kept my right foot warm...Tim

[ifdale]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

I fly during the winter a lot in Alaska, but I usually don't fly much colder than minus 20. Finding ways to keep what little amount of heat there is inside the cabin helps a lot.. wing roots, door seals, bungee area. Some guys up here install a 'wall' behind the seat using silver bubble wrap, to keep the heat from running out the back of the fuselage. I block off part of the cowl area in front of the cylinders and that helps the engine run warmer. Mostly I just wear lots of heavy gear, boots, hat and gloves etc. I have a Cessna 150 style dual exhaust with mufflers and that helps too.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Cabin Heat Functionality

I recently acquired an Aeronca 7AC twin exhaust system, mainly because I DIDN'T want to have to loosen the engine in it's mounts for a simple maintenance chore, like I had to do when I first got my BC65 in 2003. Would the Aeronca cabin heat help out my feet to stay warm? You guys with Taylorcraft's with electrical systems, why don't you get heated snowmobile suits?