December 2000
System
season. In other areas, it may only change the way you operate.
In either case, there are some steps you can take to preserve your
system for winter storage, or prepare it properly for winter flight.
For winter storage orwinter flying, now isa goodtimeto
change the spark plug and crankcase oil, and clean or replace the
air filter. If you are storing the fan, pour 1/2 ounce (15cc) of motor
oil through the spark plug opening and crank the engine through
a few revolutions. WARNING: Replace the spark plug only after
you have completed all work on the propeller. Add fuel stabilizer
(Sta-Bil or a similar product, available at auto parts stores) to the
gasoline in the fuel tank. Use any remaining fan gas in your car,
and refill the can before youresume flying.
Disassemblethe cage and check it for broken wires or welds.
Replace the cage if any wires are broken. Some broken welds can
be repairedusingan epoxy product suchas JB Weld. Use cable
ties to holdthe wires inplace until the epoxycures.
Checkthepropellerfornicksordamage.Ifyouseeany
cracks or splits, replace the propeller. Clean it with mineral spirits
(paint thinner) unless it is plastic. Carefully smooth any nicks or
dentswithfinesandpaper.Ifanywoodisexposed,touchup
exposedareaswith clear exterior urethane varnishor industrial
enamel, matchingthe original coating. If youapply more than a
smallamount of coating, remove the propeller and checkto see
that it isbalanced. You canpurchase an inexpensive balancing
tool for rotary lawn mower blades at most hardware stores. Add
varnishtothe lighter endof thepropeller, andallow ittodry.
Repeatthe processuntilthe blade isbalanced,thenreinstallit.
Use Grade5boltsandappropriate lockinghardware orthread
locking compound. Do not overtighten the bolts so much that you
compressthe propeller hub.
Reassemble the cage using stainless steel hose clamps for 3/
8 inchhose.If youalso use cable ties, buyeither blackor gray
because theyare resistant to sunlight.
Removebatteriesfromallinstruments,includingremote
temperature transmitters. Wrap the instruments in plastic bags to
protect themfrommoisture. Remember toreplace the batteries
before your next flight.
Carefully wrap the burner in a plastic bag to keep spiders or
hose ends using plastic bagsor appropriate caps or plugs.
Removefuelcylindersfromthebasket,andvacuumany
loosedirtfromthefloor.Turnthebasketupsidedown,and
remove any dirt from inside the scuff leather by tapping the scuff
leather until no more dirt falls out. Check for damaged or missing
lacing,andreplaceitas required. Turnthebasketupright, and
store it on a palletsoitdoes not collect moisture from the floor.
If the storage area is subject tolarge temperature changes, store
thefuelcylindersoutsidethe basketsotheydonotcondense
moisture anddripitintothe basket.
If you store the uprights in the basket, tie a rope around them
sotheydonotdentthe paddingaroundtheedge of the basket.
Storethe basketwheresmallrodentsdonothaveaccesstoit.
They will chew up wicker, padding, hoses, and leather to nest in
the basket, causing expensive damage. Plug or cap any hoses that
remainattachedtothe basket.
The envelope should be stored whereit will not be accessible
torodents.Itshouldbestoredon2stackedpalletssoithas
adequate airflow around it. It should be stored in an area that will
stay dry. Remove it from a waterproof travel bag so anytrapped
moisture can escape.
In some areas of the country where snow is not deep enough
tocause problems, or winter weather ismild,the flyingseason
continuesthroughthewinter.Coldweathercancausesome
minor problems, such as low fuel pressure, and blast valve O-ring
leaks. All balloonmanufacturers have approvedthe use of heat
tapes to heat the propane. Warm propane increases fuel pressure,
andminimizesO-ringproblems.
The upper tank ring provides a large surface area to cool the
propaneincoldweather.Wrapthetankringinplastic bubble
pack to provide insulation if the outside temperature is below 40
degreesF.
If you have a long drive to the launch site, you may want to
heat your fuel as you drive. If youshopcarefully, you can buy a
300-watt inverter for about $40 at a major warehouse store. This
will operatefour 70-watt heat tapes. Connect theinverter directly
to the car battery using 10-gauge wire, making sure that you keep
the wire away from exhaust pipes, the catalytic converter, or any
