Heat Tapes!

Do you use them?  There are several types but which ones should you use? How should you use them?  How do you install them?

We are going to try to answer these questions and more.

First lets talk about how you should install them.  Each year during your annual inspection the tanks are required to be inspected visually.  This means that any heat tapes must be removed so the repairman can physically SEE the tank.  Over the years many pilots have used “Duct Tape” to install their heat tapes.  This is just about the worst thing to use!  The gummy mess from the duct tape is horrible.  Let alone trying to clean it up.  DO NOT USE DUCT TAPE!  Better yet use the shipping wrap or what is known as shrink wrap or stretch wrap.  It clings to itself.  It does not leave a messy residue and it is easy on and easy off (and cheap)  The first thing you will want to do is make a tank stand jig.  What I mean by this is take some wood and make two small stand pieces for each end of your tank.  This will hold your tank up so you can apply the heat tape and the cling wrap at the same time and allow you to have both your hands free to wrap the tank.  SEE IMAGE.

Remember when wrapping the tank with heat tapes that when you tank is full it only contains 80% liquid fuel.  The other 20% is vapor.  When placing heat taps on the tank you want them wrapped over the area of the tank that contains the liquid. (lower 80% of the tank)  Heating the tank where it contains vapor is a waste of the heat since the vapor can not transfer the heat to the liquid fuel where it is needed.

What type should you use.

There are many types of heat tapes out there.  Be aware of several things. First is the temperature at which the heat tape comes on and turns off.  Some of the more expensive ones have actual thermostats that you can set the temperature you wish to have them work at.  Some of the cheaper ones have a built in thermostat that may have a lower on/off threshold than you wish.  Some of them you can disable or cut out the thermostat and use a timer to heat your tanks prior to a flight.  I have even heard of some using a waterbed heater.  If you have a specific type that you use, and feel others should know about it then please post it here in the Tips and Tricks area for our other members.

How should you use them?

If you can find ones that are constant power (always on) you can use a timer to activate them (provide power) for several hours prior to a flight. On average you will need them to be on for 4-5 hours prior to a flight.  Regardless of what type you choose you will need a heat tape that is about 40 feet long.  In most cases you will be able to wrap the tape around your tank about 10 times.  Measure the area of the tank that you wish to heat and divide that measurement by 10 and you will know about how far apart to space your rows.  The ones that are run by a thermostat can be plugged in the night before your flight or the morning of an afternoon flight.  Just do not forget to unplug them if the flight should get cancelled.

Hope this information helps.

Fly well, Have FUN & BE SAFE