Anyone know where you can get the external cord plugs that go through the exterior of your plane so you don’t have to open cowling to plug in your preheater?


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Here are a couple:

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/noco-ac ... lsrc=aw.ds

https://www.onlinecomponents.com/marinc ... src=aw.ds#

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... M6EALw_wcB

That's just a quick search for "female outlet plug".

I would just call Digi Key and talk to someone, explaining what you need. They have a HUGE selection of all sorts of things, and they are VERY helpful on the phones.

MTV

The ones we used were similar to this, with a flip up cover:

https://www.grainger.com/product/3D235? ... P:20501231

I'd still call Digi Key.

MTV

Thanks


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Try searching Flanged Inlet Electrical Plug. This product looks close to the one I use. Metal socket and sturdy contacts. The open design is fine- does not need a cover in my experience. Recommend installing a small indicator lamp next to the socket to confirm current, and a pig-tail joined in on the inside to run a space heater in the cabin.

-DP

denalipilot wrote:Try searching Flanged Inlet Electrical Plug. This product looks close to the one I use. Metal socket and sturdy contacts. The open design is fine- does not need a cover in my experience. Recommend installing a small indicator lamp next to the socket to confirm current, and a pig-tail joined in on the inside to run a space heater in the cabin.

-DP

That one looks good. I agree that a cover isn’t absolutely necessary. We also installed a small guide light on the boot cowl, far enough aft so a engine cover didn’t cover it.

MTV

Tanis sells a similar product in three styles, all priced the same. The metal one is TP02070-115, a PMA part which is always nice. I have not used any of these but it does look like it would be better than reaching up under the cowling.

Tim

I parked overnight in some Alaska villages, and often in winter. Screwing with airplanes is a huge no-no in villages, for obvious reasons, but pulling the plug on the engine heater doesn’t do any harm except slow down departure, at least in the the village kids book. So, last thing at night, take a quick look at the guide light, go to bed. First thing in AM, same-same. In AM if lights not on, plug it back in. May be warm enough to go by daylight anyway.

MTV

This thread is timely with winter approaching. I found an old thread on Tanis heater use that was full of good information. Here's a few photos of what my Tanis setup uses. I can either open the little door and plug in there or open my larger dipstick door and use that plug.



Access door for Tanis plug



Looking from dipstick access door down to plug setup (heater plug not plugged into external access door in photo)



Sad-looking extension cord from my rotary timer



Cowl covered with a blanket and old sleeping bag, cowl flaps closed. Note pool noodles used as anti-scalping devices.



Rotary timer set to come on a couple of hours before my expected flight in morning.