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Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Thermawing
From: Colyn Case <colyncase@earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-4462508@logan.com>
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John, is your 100 amp alternator driven by the starter adapter or prop =
hub?   any issues with belts/bearings?   how many hours on your =
installation?

Colyn

On Sep 10, 2010, at 3:18 PM, John Hafen wrote:

> I have a thermawing system on my IVP that has saved my ass a couple of =
times, including what I thought was going to be a VFR flight last week =
from Seattle to Boise.
>=20
> The first little bit of the flight was VFR, but I soon found myself =
flying above a deck.  I was at 17.5 and the clouds below me gradually =
rose to and began to exceed my altitude as I transitioned to IFR. =20
>=20
> I admit to getting behind the airplane, planning the approach, etc., =
when I looked out and saw the wings pretty frosted up.  I turned on the =
heated wings, pitot heat, and prop heat, and squirted the windscreen =
with glycol.  All of this should have been done before entering the =
clouds at those temperatures.  My bad.  Lesson for next time.  Turn =
everything on earlier. =20
>=20
> Very quickly and much to my relief,  the ice curled up into large =
flakes and blew off the wings, as advertised.
>=20
> The installation and subsequent fine tuning of the thermawing was not =
without its speed bumps.  RDD had to replace a couple of faulty heater =
control units, which they did not charge me for.  They also replaced my =
100 amp alternator, which hadn't broken or faulted, but others like it =
had.  So they replaced it with a new/improved/ different model, under =
warranty, with no charge to me for the component or labor.
>=20
> The advantage of the thermawing system versus the other alternatives =
is that you don't have to carry around a heavy load of liquid glycol to =
spray your wings, and then try to find more fluid after landing in some =
shit-splat little Idaho town that has never heard of the stuff.  And you =
don't have to glue inflatable rubber bladders to your wing to pop off =
the ice.
>=20
> The system is early in its life cycle still, and bugs are being worked =
out.  But it has huge (IMHO) advantages over the other alternatives. =20
>=20
> If I lived in Las Vegas, I probably would not bother with a de-ice or =
anti ice system (although I did ice up pretty severely over Delta Utah =
one August day at 16,000 in a Centurion T210 that only had prop heat.  =
Amazing how brick-like the chunks of ice seem as they melt off your prop =
and slam into your windscreen....).
>=20
> Living in Seattle, I think having a heated wing is pretty prudent.  =
I'm glad I have it.
>=20
> John Hafen
> IVP 413AJ
> 265 hours
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> On Sep 9, 2010, at 5:07 PM, Doug owen wrote:
>=20
>> I have had the thermawing system installed by RDD  on my IV-P turbine =
a couple=20
>> of years ago.
>>=20
>> The computer controller failed within a few weeks and had to be =
replaced. The=20
>> alternator failed within a couple of months and had to be replaced =
(involving=20
>> pulling the prop). I developed an oil leak around the prop after =
their=20
>> installation. Pulled prop and found that NO gasket was re-installed =
when they=20
>> had reinstalled the prop. The wiring connectors were not aviation =
grade - in=20
>> fact, they were not even OEM auto grade, but appeared to be K mart =
grade. I had=20
>> to replace all of them. My marker beacon antenna failed due to the =
install work=20
>> and had to be replaced.
>>=20
>> When the system is on, I have a very annoying alternator whine =
constantly in my=20
>> headsets.
>>=20
>> The heat units on the wing have many folds and uneven areas, =
particularly on the=20
>> bottom of the leading edge. I brought this up to Dave McRae (one of =
the 3=20
>> principals of RDD). He told me to my face "we did not charge you =
enough to do a=20
>> good job!!!" It seemed to me they charged me plenty, and I paid them =
what they=20
>> asked.
>>=20
>> I would advise that, if you consider having RDD install this system, =
DO NOT=20
>> leave your airplane unattended during any aspect of the work. I =
certainly regret=20
>> installing this system, but have not pulled it out either. I pretty =
much avoid=20
>> icing situations anyway, and so far have not needed to use the system =
in flight.=20
>> I hope that, if and when I do need it, it does not fail at the worst =
moment!=20
>>=20
>> Doug Owen
>> N800DB
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> --
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>=20
>=20
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