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Author Topic: Schiff Aero A/C  (Read 6462 times)

KenFlo

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Schiff Aero A/C
« on: May 08, 2018, 09:11:49 am »
When we were looking for a 690B we wanted one with AC.  We live and fly mostly in the South and AC is a wife requirement.  The plane we purchased did not have Freon Air, only the air cycle machine, but the plane was everything we wanted except AC so we thought we would give the air cycle machine a chance.  On our first flight to Montgomery, AL it was a 85 degree day and muggy.  Wife was not happy with the air cycle machine so we decided to go with the Schiff Aero system.  So, after several weeks at TN80 I am now flying again and have AC. 
  We are very happy so far with the results.  The plane gets full pressurization differential now at 25K and above (it didn't before), cabin is very cool, and time between a heat soaked cabin and cool is only a few minutes.  One of the best features is the ground cooling with an extension cord plugged into a pig tail in the baggage compartment.  The AC runs in the cabin automatically when it is plugged in and requires no cabin access by the ground crew.  I have a yellow construction grade cord in the baggage compartment so the ground guys plug it in for me after they tow it out of the hangar.  When we arrive to fly, cabin is nice and cool.
  I still have a few minor tweaks required and have to go back to TN80 next week, but initial impressions are very favorable.  Its expensive, but wife is happy....

Adam Frisch

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2018, 10:38:42 am »
Nice report! I've always seen the Schiff system as an impressive alternative that thinks outside the box - was surprised they weren't more common. Maybe it's the price. Or maybe it's because Eagle Creek sold most of the Commanders and they had their own system. In any case, happy you like yours. Let us know how it holds up!
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

donv

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2018, 12:30:23 pm »
Good to hear that it's working well for you. I can imagine that AC would be important in the south, and the standard ACM, while okay in cooler climates, might not be up to it.

Bruce Byerly

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2018, 09:06:17 pm »
I hope it continues to well for you Ken.

To be frank, I have had mixed results and given the iron skillet like reliability of the original system, have a hard time understanding the interest in changing a model 690A/B. Not sure what the cost is these days but maybe you can share.  Of course I appreciate the benefit of Freon AC and the pre-cooling via 115 is neat.

Adam - just fwiw, no single shop sold most of the planes nor does anyone else have an alternative that you or anyone else can’t get for a 690.  Keith products builds the AC system.  It’s now about $53,000 in parts as I understand.

Cheers guys  :)

donv

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2018, 10:52:02 pm »
The Keith system is really effective, with the dual blowers. It's hard to imagine a more effective system, really, although the 110v cooling does look like a nice feature.

Adam Frisch

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2018, 12:25:27 am »
No, they seem to make the most sense for Jetprops. There was the 840 I looked at that had had 13 overhauls of the Sundstrand in as many years... That's a shocking number and bill to deal with. But apparently the trick with Sundstrand is to be religious with oil changes and never use Max Flow.

I'm glad I have the Fairchild in mine. Although the ground blower is prone to failure.
« Last Edit: May 09, 2018, 05:56:53 pm by Adam Frisch »
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

donv

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2018, 01:02:41 pm »
I think that, other than the oil and Max Flow, the big factor is operating in very hot and humid environments. The 840 you're thinking of, I believe, was in Central America for many years. My airplane has spent it's entire life in Germany, New England, California, and now the pacific northwest, so no real issues-- and I have freon, which makes the ECU's life even easier.

If I were based in a hot and humid environment with a Jetprop, I think the Schiff system might well be worth it.

KenFlo

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2018, 07:43:52 pm »
Another benefit of the Schiff system is the cabin pressurization.  After several flights above FL250, I have cabin differential of 5.1.  All clean air not using much bleed air at all.  Engines seem to do better at altitude even when today was  +16 ISA.  All in all the system seems to be the right choice. 
You certainly could not make a very strong financial business case to install the system, but I couldn’t make a strong business case to buy the plane in the first place.....I just wanted it. 😀

donv

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2018, 08:24:35 pm »
Fair point about the economic analysis!

I think the Jetprop with the Sundstand puts out more air than the 690s do, or tend to have fewer cabin leaks, so differential is less of an issue (not the case with the Enviro, though). I've flown plenty of 690s that wouldn't make 5 psi, so I see your point.

donv

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2022, 01:48:10 am »
I just saw a second Commander come into Aero Air to get the Schiff system removed. And on this one, it was installed fairly recently!

I've been hearing nothing but terrible things about the Schiff system these days.

Adam Frisch

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2022, 07:42:57 am »
Yeah, me too. On paper, it looks like a great system. Not sure what's missing - performance or service?
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

donv

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Re: Schiff Aero A/C
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2022, 11:37:51 am »
Reliability and service, from what I understand. Of course, if the system was reliable the service would be less important.