Hi Guys,
I installed cabin heat in N245E, adapting the Jabiru cabin heat kit, plus
some modifications of my own. It uses a heat muff to take heat off of the
exhaust expansion chamber. The muff is manufactured by Jabiru, but could
probably
be adapted to a Rotax exhaust. The recent cooler temps here in SE Tennessee
shows that it works quite well.
I fabricated a trapazoid shaped stainless panel from the same material as
the stainless firewall. This panel fits inbetween the frame members of the
lower forward portion of the engine mount. The panel is secured using four adel
clamps around the engine mount frame, providing cushioning from vibration. The
panel itself is attached to the adel clamps using 1/2" x 8-32 SS pan head
screws, mating to blind nuts rivited to the adel clamps. The fresh air feed
comes from a NACA vent on the right side of the lower cowl and is ducted via 2"
SCAT tube.
Using a "homebuilders cabin heat box", available from ACS or Suncoast
Sportplanes, I rivited the heat box to the stainless panel, allowing the hot air
exit flange to pass rearward through the stainless panel though a 2" hole cut
in the panel. The hot air then passes into a "T" I made from 52mm (2") thin
walled (.049") aluminum tubing. The "T" then directs the hot air left and right
through the inside side wall of each footwell, about 4" above the rudder
pedal tubes, using a 2" aluminum flange (ACS # 08-04135). 2" SCAT connects it
all together. This puts the hot air right onto your toes. ~TOASTY~
Control of the cabin heat box is by a knob and cable arrangement located on
the center console.
If anybody is worried about CO, check out the electronic CO monitors
available from www.aeromedix.com . I have one mounted in N245E and other than a
brief alarm on the first flight, it hasn't chirped once in 30+ hours of flight
time. These electronic CO monitors are VASTLY superior to the old "black spot"
card type CO detectors.
I can provide pictures and additional details if anybody is interested.
Regards,
John Lawton
Dunlap, TN
N245E - Flying - 30.5 hours and adding a few more today......
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