Re: REFLECTOR: keeping warm

["Rene' Dugas" <rdugas@bayou.com>]

Voss, Jim S. wrote:
> 
> Hi.  I'm Jim Voss, a new member of the Velocity reflector group.  I built a
> Long Ez and am a partner with Merri Sanchez building a Velocity in Houston.
> We are working on the fuselage now and have read with interest all the
> discussions on oil coolers and heating.  I have an electric heater (500 watt
> "Back Seat Heat" model) in my Long Ez just in front of my feet.  It doesn't
> do a great job but it provides just enough heat to keep my feet from getting
> cold.  I still have to use a blanket over my legs if it is below freezing.
> Upper body isn't a problem unless it is really cold.  I think the best
> answer is still sealing the front end, but no one seems to have the complete
> solution there.
>         Has anyone thought about the increased load on the engine oil pump
> due to the long lines going to the front of the airplane?  That is my only
> concern with the front installation.  I would hate to lessen the lubrication
> to the engine just to help keep my feet warm.
>         The car seat warmers sound like a great idea.  Here in the heat of
> Houston I have considered a similar thing, but for cooling.  At NASA when we
> work in a space suit in a lab where we don't have normal suit cooling we use
> long underwear with tubes sewn into it which are  hooked to a small igloo
> ice chest with icy water in it.  A battery powered  pump circulates the cold
> water.  I think the same thing using a seat pad with tubes in it would work
> well.
>         I look forward to sharing ideas with everyone.
> Jim
> 
> > ----------
> > From:         Dave Black[SMTP:asterisk@erols.com]
> > Reply To:     reflector@awpi.com;Dave Black
> > Sent:         Tuesday, March 23, 1999 3:38 AM
> > To:   reflector@awpi.com; Simon Aegerter
> > Subject:      Re: REFLECTOR: keeping warm
> >
> > Simon & Al,
> >
> > > >Also, the amount of heat you can expect from an electric heater in our
> > > >limited electric system isn't going to help much.  Probably about 500
> > > >watts is the max (that would be over 30 amps) that you safely support,
> > > >which is a small fraction of what you 'should' be able to get from an
> > > >effective oil cooler installation.
> > >
> > > The only sensible way to use electricity for heat in our airplanes IMHO
> > is
> > > to wear electrically heated underware.
> >
> > I totally agree. The only use I can imagine for a small electric heater is
> > to
> > preheat the cockpit while you're doing the preflight. Not worth the added
> > weight and wear and tear on the electrical system, IMHO.
> >
> >
> > Best,
> > Dave Black
> >
Hi Jim,
I'm a surgeon and we wear cool suits with 3 mm silastic tubes sewn into
the vest and leggins for cooling.  Works very well.  I likewise have
plans for electric seat warmers and cool pad in seat running ice water
from 1/2 gal cooler with hand squeeze pump such as on an outboard motor.
Thanks,
Rene' Dugas
Monroe, La.