Did I miss out on buying a red dragon? I had been borrowing one for years and want a new one.

Now that I think of it, I’ve had it for over five years…maybe it’s mine under shop rules

Tried to call around for a new one and they don’t make them anymore?

I’m betting you can find one on one of the local lists.

MTV

Spend your money on a proper and safe engine heating system like Reiff or Tanis.

NunavutPA-12 wrote:Spend your money on a proper and safe engine heating system like Reiff or Tanis.

That is great advice….IF you have access to electricity at your tie-downs. And, yes, there’s always a generator, but plan on spending hours out there if it’s cold.

In many ways, propane combustion heating sucks, but properly done it takes half or less the time to preheat than Reiff or Tanis. The problem with those systems is they were designed to be on overnight.

MTV

I am going to build a setup using one of these chinese diesel heaters. I have one in a cargo trailer and have been really impressed. Runs on a 12v battery like a red dragon. You could run a return air out the cowl if you want. The exhaust goes out its own port, so the heated air is dry. Not sure what the degree over ambient raise is without a return air.

I have one of those Chinese, diesel-fired heaters. They work okay and put out a fair amount of dry heat for their size. They are slow to start and the glow plug and fan sucks a fair amount of amperage from a 12-volt battery - but they do work.

I've heard of a fellow who uses a 1000-watt generator to run his (Reiff of Tanis) heating system. He puts the generator INSIDE the airplane with the exhaust to the outside through a length of skeet tubing. Apparently, the heat from the engine warms up the cockpit. I just might try that1

MTV is right, electrically heating the engine does take some time. Four hours usually does the trick for me even at minus 30 with a good engine cover. I have no electricity at my hangar or at my cabin. The one kw Yamaha works fine but, at 30 pounds is, I imagine, heavier than the Red Dragon. But the generator will run on avgas, and I always have plenty of fuel with me. And also - does the propane flow well enough at very low temperatures to feed the Red Dragon burner?

NunavutPA-12 wrote:I have one of those Chinese, diesel-fired heaters. They work okay and put out a fair amount of dry heat for their size. They are slow to start and the glow plug and fan sucks a fair amount of amperage from a 12-volt battery - but they do work.

I've heard of a fellow who uses a 1000-watt generator to run his (Reiff of Tanis) heating system. He puts the generator INSIDE the airplane with the exhaust to the outside through a length of skeet tubing. Apparently, the heat from the engine warms up the cockpit. I just might try that1

MTV is right, electrically heating the engine does take some time. Four hours usually does the trick for me even at minus 30 with a good engine cover. I have no electricity at my hangar or at my cabin. The one kw Yamaha works fine but, at 30 pounds is, I imagine, heavier than the Red Dragon. But the generator will run on avgas, and I always have plenty of fuel with me. And also - does the propane flow well enough at very low temperatures to feed the Red Dragon burner?

Good question on the temperature to vaporize the propane. When I used a Red Dragon at my cabin, I kept the propane bottle in the cabin prior to a pre heat. So, the propane had some residual heat. I think the coldest I ever used that Red Dragon was ~ minus 30 F.

My first house in Fairbanks had a propane cook stove and hot water heater. Big tank, but it always worked till one night it got to -52. Then, the propane outfit told me to just stick one of those tiny electric heat pads for your oil pan on the side of the tank and plug it in. Worked after that, and down to at least -60 F. Just a tiny bit of heat will vaporize the propane.

I never used the Dragon at -40, mostly cause flying at those temps is NOT fun. The work planes I flew at those temps, but if I couldn't plug in, I used a Northern Companion, which was also part of my survival gear. That's not a device I'd want to use routinely at home base, though.....

MTV

I've got two red dragons that I never use. If you're going to be down in the Anchorage area at any point, let me know and we can figure out a fair price. They're not brand new, but they are lightly used.

gahi wrote:I am going to build a setup using one of these chinese diesel heaters. I have one in a cargo trailer and have been really impressed. Runs on a 12v battery like a red dragon. You could run a return air out the cowl if you want. The exhaust goes out its own port, so the heated air is dry. Not sure what the degree over ambient raise is without a return air.

71wqVj0FYlL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I saw those and have it saved…for what they cost never figured out if it was worth it or if it’d just catch itself on fire.

Brian M wrote:I've got two red dragons that I never use. If you're going to be down in the Anchorage area at any point, let me know and we can figure out a fair price. They're not brand new, but they are lightly used.

A buddy of mine is doing some work on a plane down there, I could send him a text and see if he’s up to bring one up north on his way back. Shoot me a pm with a number or contact and price?

I use Reiff Xp and a Honda generator but I want a backup that doesn’t rely on electricity, and can be used for forced air heating elsewhere outside.

gahi wrote:I am going to build a setup using one of these chinese diesel heaters. I have one in a cargo trailer and have been really impressed. Runs on a 12v battery like a red dragon. You could run a return air out the cowl if you want. The exhaust goes out its own port, so the heated air is dry. Not sure what the degree over ambient raise is without a return air.

71wqVj0FYlL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I have been using these for several years. They heat my boat, enclosed trailer and the plane preheater. I use the 8KW heaters and get 175 degree air at the end of the 6' scat hose at -20 ambient.

akavidflyer wrote:I have been using these for several years. They heat my boat, enclosed trailer and the plane preheater. I use the 8KW heaters and get 175 degree air at the end of the 6' scat hose at -20 ambient.

Is that using return air duct, or just pulling outside air?

I was directed to these dewalt portable propane heaters.

Was told these work well with a 8” to 6” reducer and 6” flex duct.
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1258977-dewalt-68000-btu-cordless-hybrid-forced-air-propane-heater.html

gahi wrote:

akavidflyer wrote:I have been using these for several years. They heat my boat, enclosed trailer and the plane preheater. I use the 8KW heaters and get 175 degree air at the end of the 6' scat hose at -20 ambient.

Is that using return air duct, or just pulling outside air?

Pulling outside air