Can anyone in the community offer an "operational" report on the Reiff cylinder base heating bands.

Had Reiff bands on my O-300A. Have Tanis on my IO-360 M1B. Ran both down to a personal cutoff of around -30F. "Operationally", both get the job done. The key to success with either is a good engine blanket, adequate time on preheat, and adequate time after pre-heating to let the heat spread around and even out. Also a high-wattage oil sump heater, with care not to allow any air bubbles in the mounting epoxy.

-DP

Thanks for the “intel”

I’ve installed and used two. One on an TSIO 520 in a T210. Other on my current A185F. Very pleased. They work well, and I’ve had no failures. I’d go straight to them if I needed to equip another airplane. I like that the cylinder bands are trying to heat the cylinder bore and the piston inside. Heat probably also migrates to the crank case given the proximity to the heating bands. I also have two sump heaters. My concerns with cold starts is (in order) oil, bearings and then cylinder walls. In particular, clearances between the cylinder and piston. If the engine starts, and the piston expands quickly due to combustion heat, but the barrel stays cold, scuffing could occur. The barrel hasn’t expanded yet, the piston has, and the clearances may be too tight. This is a concern with cold Diesel engines, especially fire trucks, and I’ve transposed it to airplane engines. I may be in error, but that is the basis of my bias.

The alternative is Tanis. I didn’t like their probes that occupied the temperature probe wells, precluding probes for engine monitors in those provisions. Don’t like the hollow bolt idea in the valve cover screws either. I figure the heads on these engines are designed to expel the most heat, and probably do so quite effectively while the Tanis bolt probes are trying to heat them. The heat probably escapes the aluminium fins on the heads before it has a chance to migrate down the steel cylinder. The combustion chamber doesn’t need heat to get the fire started. Again, opinion and bias derived only from imagining the heat path.

I really like the Reiff heat systems. Installed a few and will continue to go that route. Like pinecone, I like that they are around the bases and don't occupy the CHT probe holes. Have not had good luck at all with the intake bolt probes.

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They have two different bands 50 and 100 watt I believe. Get the hotter ones for a quicker warm up.
DENNY

We switched from Tanis to Reiff, and never looked back. Good equipment, good company. Tanis is playing catch up and not succeeding, frankly.

I'd put Reiff on any engine I owned. I operated regularly at very cold temps with them and no problems.

MTV

The BCP community proves it’s value one more time, thank you to all for the intel.

How hot is everyone’s oil temp after an overnight plug in? I put a Reiff Turbo XP on a C-140 and hesitant to leave it on overnight cause it gets really hot. Installed as per the directions and assume the thermostat sensor epoxied to sump works ....at 157-160 degrees on 27 degree day and single digit night. After start ya have to warm it up to cool it down and normalize big time.LOL Eventually will call Reiff and ask though. Just curious what temps other folks see after a long plug in period.

I’ll have to look at the info but I thought the Reiff was supposed to be 80-90 above ambient temp. Our Cub has a Tanis and it’s usually 70-75 degrees plugged in all the time. Would like to leave the C-140 plugged in all the time but I am wondering that it might be to hot. That Reiff Turbo XP heats up fast!. I like the simplicity of the Reiff system, that Tanis has wires everywhere and we have had issues with the heat screws in cylinder heads.

Hey Bryce,

They often said the best preheat system is to put the founding guys of Reiff and Tanis in your hangar beside your cold plane and ask them which system is better

We've had the Reiff (bands and pad) for a few years with a remote sim card switch and engine cover and really like it.

I believe the Tanis system requires an STC because it's invasive vs the Reiff that is just attached. STC not a big deal for you but you know what I mean.

Nice to see you planning for next ski season already! haaaa

Scott, go buy that 185 float season is rapidly approaching

No experience with the Tanis system, but I have the Reiff XP version on my O-320 and it works great. With a good engine cover and little wind, it heats the engine in about four hours at minus 30C ambient.

Also, it runs from my little 30-pound Yamaha 1000 generator, which I carry into the bush.

Definitely the safest way to heat the engine.

I can add that the 850 Watt Reiff Turbo XP 6 cylinder system also operates on my 1000w Honda inverter. And at 3650’ ASL. Kudos to Honda for adding a bit of extra HP and not rating it just at sea level.

I have the Turbo XP on my cub. Keeps the oil about 100 degrees according to the oil temp gauge after start.
It’s an easy installation and has proven to be reliable.