Aluminum and cold weather...

[KDOG]

I am wondering if I can leave me bee in my unheated shed this winter. At what temperature is it dangerous to leave the metal exposed to the cold? Should I break it down and bring it in over the winter?

[gyropilot]

Don't worry about it KDOG.

The only thing you might be concerned about is moisture. But if the shed is reasonably dry, then there's not much to worry about. On the other hand, if it's damp, then you might have rust and corrosion issues in the future.

I store my flyable Bee in either an unheated hanger or unheated garage. Doesn't cause any problems. I protect steel parts with a corrosion inhibtor.

Regards,

John L.

[rehler]

Some winters it gets down to 30 degrees F (actually can freeze water) for up to 5 or 6 hours here in south Texas. Doesn't seem to hurt my gyro any.

[Victor Duarte]

can i just tell something about the engine... from my own (bad) experience... if its liquid cooled youd better enshure the liquids bear low temp, i had a vintage car and one morning, i found a carter broken by icing.... and dont forget to remove the battery

[KDOG]

rehler: SHADDAP!!!! ;)

Zeeoo: Got it, thanks.

[mcbirdman]

Don't try the tongue test on the mast either..... even if it does look like a flagpole... or someone double dog dares you.....

[Ralph]

If cold would damage aluminum, flying a 747 at flight level 35 would be hazardous to your health!

Ralph

[KDOG]

Gotcha - just another paranoid new builder question!!

[Brian Jackson]

Gotcha - just another paranoid new builder question!!
Hey, I asked the same question a while back ;) ... hope it demonstrates we're cautious and thinking ahead a little bit.

Cheers,
Brian Jackson

[Doug Riley]

Winter lows here in northern Vermont are around -25 F. The gyros out in the barns and sheds don't mind it. The pilots are not amused, however.

Some type of cheap plastic fuel line will shatter like glass at those temps.

[scottessex]

At 36,000 ft it is around -60 degrees F
comercial Acft do it many times a day.
the only problems you might face would be building parts with extreme close tolerances.