Winter Cocoon

Discussion in 'Ducati General Discussion' started by Old rider, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. Do not park it next to your sole means of escape from the property :)
     
  2. What is this now, advice in case of fire? Guys im 44 and have lived in my property for over 17 years im sure I know what im doing....... for the most part. But it's heart warming you are all so concerned about me :rolleyes:
     
  3. This is a good idea, but note the guards to keep materials such as towels (blankets) off the surface of the heater.
    They contain one thermostat, if you were to partially insulated one end (without the thermostat) it could easily overheat at that point.
    Warning about wattage....7watts doesn't sound much does it?
    I'll remind you of that when I hand you the business end of a soldering iron.
     
    • Thanks Thanks x 1
  4. My only concern here is that you are not letting the humidifier cycle correctly.
    Set the time for 4 hours on, 4 hours off or better still leave it on.
    Most operate like a thermostat, but measure humidity. 55% is a good setting.
    Note it is probably a refrigeration cycle type, so the ambient needs to be at least 8°c or better.
     
  5. Compressor heaters are for a different reason.
    If the oil temperature was allowed to drop to ambient (condensers aka outdoor units are frequently cold) the oil could migrate immediate on start as it would be too viscous. As all engineers know most wear occurs during the first few moments an engine (here a compressor) starts.
    In the old days this was a separate heater, nowadays we pass a small current through the motor windings, keeping the oil warm. Many manufacturers go to great lengths to prevent a cod start.
    E.g. Hitachi will not allow a new installation to run until power has been present for 24hours!!
     
  6. It's not like Ducati have ever had a problem with 90° fuel connectors failing?
     
  7. I agree.

    If your tank was full of fuel the amount of vapour would be minimal.
    Of course when removing the fuel you have replaced it with sand or OFN to displace the vapour safely?

    What you need to add is some polythene sheets and blankets to keep in the petrol vapour (petrol liquid doesn't burn) then add a new spark source.

    How about a cheap Chinese timer.
    Then we need a heavy resistive load...brilliant a heater.
    Now I'm sure that the chinese timer maker woukd have used a heavy triac or other solid state switching to prevent a cheap relay sparking during a switch.
    I can almost write the investigating fire officers report from here.
     
  8. Motorcycle storage
    For what it's worth, my opinion.

    Don't...just ride it, so long as there is no chance of ice (police rider advice) or salt (ducati owner advice).

    Do not store wet.

    Store in a warm place if possible, away from sources of moisture (tumble dryers etc).
    Cover with breathable coat to prevent dust and condensation coming in contact with your clean and dry bike.
    Best is central heating, set to 16°c or the betteris an air conditioned man cave.
    Deals from £1200 installed with VAT.
     
  9. Is that the winter deal like last year? ;)
     
  10. Yes. Can't repeat last years price.:Bag:
    Sorry the kit is first class FUJITSU, 5 year warranty :upyeah:
    (subject to maintenance, their rules, not mine).
    3.5kw on a "back to back" with local mains power work.
    That's dehumidifier (1.2L an hour), cooling and heating (4.2kw).
    All air is filtered.
    Note for every £1 spent on electric you'll get over £4 worth of heat (compared to an electric heater).:Dead:
    End of advert.:Cigar:
     
    #50 AirCon, Dec 23, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 23, 2014
  11. The
    The cheap Chinese timer is at least outside the blankets etc
    Does 60 watts provide a heavy resistive load?
     
  12. No, this is not a heavy resistive load nor is it much of a heater.
    I did assume that heater would be under the bike (under the blanket) otherwise you are insulating your bike from the heat!
     
  13. Mine was the dehumidifier. I was working on the principle that 60 watts well insulated should provide at least a little heat but am more concerned about damp.
     
  14. The dehumidifier COOLS the air, to lower the dew point to allow the water to be removed.
    Clearly the 60W ends up as heat, but it depends on how the air flows are pointing, you may well end up cooling your machine.
     
    #54 AirCon, Dec 23, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 23, 2014
  15. The unit is sitting by the kickstand and all within the insulation and membrane. As there is no such thing as 100% efficiency, surely I will end up with drier, warmer air (and water in the bucket) for my 60 watt investment. In the same way that leaving the fridge door open will warm, not cool the kitchen.
     
  16. I Stand by my earlier statement. Just ride, wash, plonk in garage. If I had a collection of RC30s, RC45s, Superleggeras, a £45k Desmo' and a 1991 Suzuki RG125F I'd possibly revise my plan, but for a road bike I use when I get the chance, that I keep taxed and insured for any decent dry days all year round? The garage it's in is dry, that's enough for me!
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Lucky you. Would be for me too but mine's damp....
     
  18. Very happy to concede you're the expert, just trying to clarify.
     
  19. In order to generate a cold surface for the water to condensate out on (within the dehumidifier) hot air is generated and exhausted from the machine as part of the refrigeration cycle. Just make sure that hot air all goes under your cover.
    Then you will gain your 60W of heat and remove water.
    Simples.
     
  20. Thanks. Hopefully that's what I've done but maybe I need to do the 4 hours, 4 hours off thing...
     
Do Not Sell My Personal Information