Heating project (powering a silcone heating element)

[sinuuar]

Hello new to the site and i usually don't post questions but after a few days searching I answered a few and found many more I'm hoping someone here can help.

Background for project:

Looking to preheat my RC (remote control) nitro motors to 200-220'F prior to starting the break-in process.i would like to get it up to this temp in 15-20 or so mins, temp control wouldn't be a issues since it won't be left unattended.

The motors are ABC in design and have no rings on the pistons and are very tight when cold starting them and will put quite a strain on the conrods not to mention it often gets stuck at TDC.

So I found a flexible silicone heater at omega.com that 50 watts in total power that i can wrap the motor in. it's 2x5 inch with 5watts per sq/inch the spec sheet says at 110 volts i couldn't find a ohm rating.

mass of the motor is approx 1.5-2 lbs of aluminium. only the the hardware, crank and bearing are different material.Do i plug 115ac straight into it? or do i need to limit current?
heater is 50 watt energy output(170-80 ish btu's) does that mean i need to feed it 50 watts electrical energy?
so what would happen if i plug this into a car battery?
does ac/dc matter? I'm pretty sure it doesnt...

I have a adjustable foam cutter power supply 10 amp max up to 40vdc would that work? if it does then i could get a 100 watt version and dial down the power? I think I'm on the right track with this or not.

 

[dlgoff]

I had a quick look at Omega flexible heaters and it appears that you should use a temperature controller.

A good all purpose unit is the 5 W/in2. Rapid warm-up and high temperature are achieved with the 10 W/in2; however, temperature must be controlled as the safe maximum operating temperature limit of 450°F (232°C) may be exceeded.

http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/flexibleheaters.html"

And they are made to run on 120VAC so forget using a DC source.