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Old January 12th 11, 07:04 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Brad[_2_]
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Posts: 722
Default condensation INSIDE of glider parts

On Jan 11, 7:44*pm, shkdriver
wrote:
'Brad[_2_ Wrote:









;759814']Okay, we all know condensation forms On gliders inside of
trailers,
but what about condensation forming INSIDE a cored sailplane part?


Pretty sure that is happening to my horizontal stabilizer. It is a
cored part, and it is inside of my shop right now, which is maybe a
little warmer than outside, but I bet the inside of the stabilizer is
way "warmer" than the ambient temperature.


I've been noticing that small drops of water have been hanging from
the attach holes for the fwd pin bracket (the bracket is not
installed), I figured it was residual water from when I wet sanded
last summer (but after baking the part in the sun for a few months
that should have evaporated), however I "justified" the water by
thinking maybe all the water didn't dry up (it was a very small amount
to begin with).


So, today I pulled the stab off the fin to start setting the elevator
bridge/auto hookup bits and I notice more drops, and then noticed the
cavity under the holes, at the top of the vertical fin was filled with
water!


Strange.................gotta love the PNW this time of year.


Brad


Weird!
My shk has a weight of 12 lbs listed on the original german weight and
balance for each of the ruddervators (v-tail) my concern would be a
unknown added weight of water in the stab/elevator. have you a specified
"dry" weight for the elevator?
PNW;
Fantastic
scenery, weather is
good for growing
sitka spruce!

Scott W.

--
shkdriver


Scott,

the elevators are dry inside, since the root ends are open they can
"vent" better than the stab which is entirely sealed, except for the 2
little holes for the forward attach bracket. Good point on weighing
the part, I think I did weigh it "dry" and it was around 12 pounds,
will weigh again.

Yes, the PNW is also awesome for soaring!

Brad