Plane storage question

[p3arljam]

I live in North Carolina and was wondering about storing my planes in a workshop behind my house. Does anyone think there will be issue with the temperature changes?

[firemanbill]

Well that depends really... wood, foam, what part of Carolina, Coastal or Mountain? How sealed up is the shop?

First off I wouldn't put my batteries out there. The worst thing would be extreme changes in temps on balsa as it will expand and contract and make weak joints and such.

It's not going to kill them though. I have some stuff I leave in my camper year round and see no ill effects from them. Our temps are fairly moderate here in the Tidewater area of Virginia also, not to different from where you are probably.

[stevecooper]

I hang from wall & ceiling's easy and There all the time, got 40+ hanging around, bubsteve

[p3arljam]

I live in Charlotte,NC 2 hours to the mountains 3 hours to the coast. I have only foam planes right now and i keep the batteries inside my house. I was thinking to put a dehumidifier in there in the summer months. The shop is like a 12 x 12 miniature house with a pitched roof,vinyl siding and porch.

[firemanbill]

I'd say you'll be ok then. I would primarily worry about those exceptional bitter cold days. Other than that I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Old 'N Slow]

I've stored my planes with equipment installed in an unheated garage for the last 30 years with absolutely no concern. Our winters here are variable, but it can get down to -10°F. Doesn't hurt the plane at all.
Heck, we even fly on New Years day at our club - if it isn't snowing too hard!

For winter storage, I remove the receiver battery, but I leave the servos and receiver installed. Drain the fuel tank. I would squirt some oil down the carb of the glow engine, flip it over a few times to distribute the oil, then seal the carb and the muffler with a "squeezy" earplug. Hang them from the ceiling, level.

An electric plane would need even less preparation.

These were all fairly large balsa/ply/Monocote .40 sized glow kit planes. No space inside.

Small electrics and foamies could stay in the workshop inside.

As long as the space is dry, I would not be concerned at all.

I have more concern about bringing a plane out of a dry, cool, air-conditioned basement into a 100°F, humid day. You get condensation on all the cool metal and plastic parts of the plane. I set them on the deck in the sun to warm up and dry out before going out to the field to fly.

Just my opinion.

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by Old 'N Slow

I've stored my planes with equipment installed in an unheated garage for the last 30 years with absolutely no concern. Our winters here are variable, but it can get down to -10°F. Doesn't hurt the plane at all.
Heck, we even fly on New Years day at our club - if it isn't snowing too hard!

For winter storage, I remove the receiver battery, but I leave the servos and receiver installed. Drain the fuel tank. I would squirt some oil down the carb of the glow engine, flip it over a few times to distribute the oil, then seal the carb and the muffler with a "squeezy" earplug. Hang them from the ceiling, level.

An electric plane would need even less preparation.

These were all fairly large balsa/ply/Monocote .40 sized glow kit planes. No space inside.

Small electrics and foamies could stay in the workshop inside.

As long as the space is dry, I would not be concerned at all.

I have more concern about bringing a plane out of a dry, cool, air-conditioned basement into a 100°F, humid day. You get condensation on all the cool metal and plastic parts of the plane. I set them on the deck in the sun to warm up and dry out before going out to the field to fly.

Just my opinion.

Well with all your experience I certainly value that opinion! Thanks for speaking up.

[1968RC]

I had the exact question. I have three foam planes. Getting back into the hobby after a 20 year break from it. Man have things changed!!

[CHSNative]

I am in Charlotte,NC too and keep everything in the garage year round. I haven't had an issue yet.