Keep your Cool

[PappaBear]

As the outside temperature increases during the summer months, in many states it can get to be over 100 degrees. Give consideration to the radio and electronics in your model. Add the temperature of the day to the temperature of the ESC, battery, and motor and very soon things can start to fail because of an overheating problem.

Make sure you have a good through flow of cooling air, be sure you are using a battery with the right "C" rating for the model you are flying. Using a low "C" rated battery in a high performance model that requires power on demand will create additional heat that has to be dissipated somewhere. It's not just the Battery and ESC that can overheat, the Rx can get to the point where it stops working. If in any doubt check the safe operating temperature of the RX.

If you are using FPV equipment this can over heat and fail too.

Use the recommended equipment and don't be tempted to modify to increase the power and performance. If you are looking for high performance, invest in a high performance model and the equipment that goes with it. Increasing the power in an effort to increase the performance of the plane, can create an airframe failure due to over stressing with increased flight loads.

I am aware many of you will already know this, however the above can often be overlooked and keeping this in mind will save a model from a crash. If possible fly at a cooler time of the day.

Martin.

[Hippie 64]

RE: Keep your Cool

Thanks Martin !!! The tips you give us really make a difference and do help lots .......

Bryan

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings Martin,

Good Info!!

As the temps here in Oklahoma frequently raise above 100' (as well as many other locations) understanding how that effects not only pilots but, our electronics as well is key!!

Stay hydrated my friends!


Bill L.
In Okla.

[Pheonix]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings Martin,

Good Info!!

As the temps here in Oklahoma frequently raise above 100' (as well as many other locations) understanding how that effects not only pilots but, our electronics as well is key!!

Stay hydrated my friends!


Bill L.
In Okla.

It is 106 here today and I went flying this morning early as was back home by 0930.  It was already 90 by then.  Keeping cool now :)

[Loneflier]

RE: Keep your Cool

Thanks Martin-I have a related question for you. I just finished building a shop where I plan to consolidate my planes and RC equipment. It will have HVAC, but right now it doesn't have power yet. Is it safe to store my planes in it during the summer? Temps here are very near 100, and while the shop temps inside aren't that hot, it does get warm inside the shop. Since everything is static while stored, I am thinking that the electronics and foam will be OK, especially since they are inside and not exposed to the direct sunlight. What do you think? What are the accepted temperature limits for storing RC planes (both foam and balsa/ply), along with electrics?

Thanks,

Rich

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings Loneflier,

I will be anxious to hear Martin's reply as I too store some of my planes in a garage that can get quite warm.
I have yet to note any detrimental effects short term but, I'm more concern about the long term.


Bill L.
In Okla.

[PappaBear]

RE: Keep your Cool

I store my models in the garage too, I don't have air conditioning in there either. You have to remember you are storing the equipment, it is not turned on and being used or operated. The next time you go into your garage, when the outside temperature is around 110degrees. Put your hand on something some piece of equipment. You will find it warm to the touch, but nowhere near hot. This is because it is not indirect sunlight. Even if it was hot it would be alright as long as it wasn't turned on, damage occurs when delicate electronics are turned on and have current passing through them.

I can say in all honesty I have never had a problem storing my models in a garage with high outside temperatures.

Martin.

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings Martin,

Agreed...... However, I did have a case once with a Parkzone P-47 where as the sun traveled through the sky, for a period of time it was directly on the canopy.
I guess inside the 'dome' it got quite warm and the foam beads expanded quite a bit taking away the nice smooth interior and leaving it quite bumpy.

Live and learn I suppose. The manufacturer's do say NOT to leave in direct sun light.

Bill L.
In Okla.

[PappaBear]

RE: Keep your Cool

Adding to yesterdays post with regard to heat and the effects it can have on RC equipment. Storing the electronic in a hot garage is not a problem. However it can an an adverse effect on balsa and the covering what ever it happens to be. I'm sure many of you have experienced this. You take a shiny new model out and the covering starts to wrinkle and sag in the heat, and the same thing can happen in at hot room. The balsa structure can also warp in the heat.

The only answer to this that I know of, is to apply gentle heat to retighten the covering. If it is a foam model, try to keep it out of direct sunlight for long periods of time. If you are out at the flying field in high heat for a long period, cover your model or better still try and put it in the shade.

Martin

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings Martin,

Thanks Again......

Isn't it odd how heat can cause mono-coat to wrinkle but, it takes heat to smooth it out again???

Just one of those quirky things.... :huh: 

Bill L.
In Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: Keep your Cool

Thanks Martin, that's something I've had in the back of my mind too.  As there really isn't any shade at our field, I'll either put the plane under one of the tables or back in the box of the pickup truck and leave the shell up, instant tent !!
Lately I've been trying to hit the field early in the morning as it seems that by 0900 the wind is starting to come up as well as the temp.  Left late last weekend and as a result the wind was a little too much to maiden the Pitts, we tried the Apprentice but too much for her as well.  So what the heck, I brought the Waco and, just like a drunk in an earthquake she flew fine!!

Go Figure?

Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings GMan,


No Shade is not good my friend.

Be sure to stay hydrated as best you can even in the early morning hours.


Bill L.
In Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: Keep your Cool

You bet, water is on the list of must haves, as well as some protein bars as Diane is diabetic.  We also make sure we've eaten something before going as well.  Old farts like us can't get away with the things we used to :(  !!!! :@ 

Grossmans56

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: Keep your Cool

I keep the DHC-2 Beaver with floats up at the lake inside the camper. When we're not there, the camper is locked up with the shades drawn and the air off. It gets extremely warm inside the camper. I haven't had any problems thus far. But I'm sure if I left the shades open to let the sun in, the plane would be one big foam pimple!

Jeff

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings Capt.

"One Big Foam Pimple"....... Great line!!

I love it!!!


Bill L.
In Okla.

[Alpha]

RE: Keep your Cool

We had a pilot this summer faint while he was flying. 100+ degrees, 8 hours into a long flying day. Luckily his spotter picked up the radio and saved the plane (that's what spotters are for!), and the pilot recovered in the shade afterward with lots of water. It demonstrates the danger of dehydration when we're not paying attention. It can creep up on you if you're out with your flying buddies for hours in very hot weather until surprise, you collapse on the grass and your plane takes its last fateful dive. Hydration, ladies and gentlemen!

[Pheonix]

RE: Keep your Cool

Hydration with water and most of all something with electrolytes in it (Sodium and potassium). Dehydration occurs rapidly with extreme heat. I always take water and a sports drink with me in hot,k humid conditions. A banana also is very good to have on hand for the K+.

[Rocketeer]

RE: Keep your Cool

Greetings,

Unfortunately, this 100 + weather plays havoc with our older pilots who just can't take such temps for very long!!!

I feel bad for them as I can see how frustrated they are as they are forced to either leave the field early or not go at all.



Bill L.
In Okla.

[doctormike]

RE: Keep your Cool

I'm sorry to say I can't take thermal hunting anymore. Heat and thermals just go together. Doc