I am interested in what people are doing to there turbines for winter starage.

Hey Big Mike,

From what I've learned, I just empty the tank(s), but leave the UAT full...it keeps the 'sock' saturated. I keep my equipment in the basement which is humidity controlled up and off of the concrete floor.

Do the same with your kero filler jug (keep it as full as possible to reduce the forming of condensation) and kero can/jugs. You need to do nothing to the turbines.

If you use LiPo's for the ECU, keep it at 75%-ish charged... LiPos don't like to be fully charged for long periods of inactivity. Keep NiCads fully charged throughout the year.


... One more thing from my experience, Before the Spring time's first start, tighten (if need be) the UAT's screw-on cap... It may work loose with expansion and contraction over time. You don't want to have the UAT leaking air into it... instant flame-out.

I try to fly through the winter

I don't disagree with anything said. I would only add that if possible, every type of mechanical device I believe does better if operated occasionally. This is true of the engine, valves, pumps... So even if you can't fly, I would recommend running everything periodically over just storing.

George

Yupp, turbines work great @ -20

I'll take your word for it. I've never tested it below 50 all year

George

In south Florida we are just approaching the "real" flying season. Its so hot in summer we still fly but fly more in the winter months

it's not a bad idea when a turbine is to sit unused for any length of time to shoot a little WD40 down the fuel line, this will give the brgs a little lube and keep things from possible rusting.

Send'em to Texas, we will keep them all loosened up and sent them home when you thaw out.

try not to let them get stored out in the garage where the humidity and temperature cycle. try to store them someplace that is fairly constant humidity.. same for fuel jugs.. I store stuff in the basement store room, it stays about the same temp. I left a couple cans and one fuel can outside in the garage last year and it was full of algae, but the cans stored in the basement were fine.. It gets down below zero here..

Im wondering if it wouldn't be good to "prime" the motor to bring a little oil to the bearings before letting it sit. I did that last year.. turned it over with my fingers a couple times during the winter..

If you are working in your workshop with balsa and you are storing your planes in there, then throw a rag over the motor so it wont ingest balsa or fiberglass dust.. thats probably the biggest thing..

Yeah, then when it finally comes home the GSU reads Total Time: 46 Hours, 23 Mins, 18 Seconds.

I'll have to take an 'hours' reading on the ECU before I send it to your house.

we try to fly atleast once a month in the colder/winter months.....

A few years ago I was flying my Facet 2300 with a P-120. during the hot hazy summer day, I was clocked at 153 mph, but what a big difference in the winter months, I was clocked at 175 mph when it was 25 degrees. The colder air compresses more and gives alot more thrust.

during the winter season I keep mine up on the racks and the garage is heated...........


Mark

Mark....you heat your garage? I am going to report you to the greenies!

George

yes I heat the garage, have to keep the birds warm, about 75-80 in the shop all winter. only part that sucks is, when I want to head out to the shop I have to get the jacket and gloves on cause the shop/garage is 75 feet from the house. and I use COAL to heat the shop, a very dry and warm heat. i want to sleep out there some nights....

Mark,

So what you're saying is the garage "is gone to the birds", your wife sleeps in the house and you sleep in the shop...sounds normal.

George

Our winter is about 8 days long where it gets too cold to want to fly. Typically I have my garage A/C on about 9 months out of the year so I feel for you poor, frozen folks...even the ACs up in PA.

Yep...winter is pretty rough here.

Beave

Hey B, common up in January, we'll go flying
It's not bad, the airport plows the runway and we can setup in the heated admin building

winter???? yeah it's pretty bad here too hate it when it get's below 10 degree celcius during the night.

On full sized turbines we drain the fuel lines and oin tanks and replace all the fluids with an inhibiting oil. it's like a very light oil so I kinda like the WD40 idea.

Thanks

dave

Storage ! I am looking forward to more flying in the winter with the nice crisp clear blue skies just need to design/find a insulated jacket for my gas can

I like to blow some snow off the yard with my jets in the winter period... keeps the turbines awake and keeps me motivated!

TP.