Hangar without electricity

[RV6_flyer]

Got a few questions for those in a cold climate that have hangars without electricity and NO generator. (Assume that you are NOT allowed to have a generator for this discussion.)

1. How do you do your pre-heat on cold winter days with no electricity?
2. How do you do a compression check without an air compressor?
3. How do you charge you battery without electricity or generator?
4. What kind of lights do you have for doing prefights in the dark?
5. How do you put air in your tires without a compressor?

[Greg Arehart]

1. Preheat with a propane heater.
2. Bring a tank from home
3. Take it home for the evening or get some solar panels
4. Do your preflight the day before so you don't have to work in the dark
5. Bicycle pump or CO2 cylinders or the tank from #2

Of course, I do none of these because I do have electricity, but they are what I would consider (except maybe the preflight - get a good flashlight) if I were in the situation.

Greg

[F1R]

Bicycle pump with inline gauge for #5.

Drive a Tacoma with a built in inverter for the first 4.

PV Solar panels and old aircraft battery(s) work well with an inverter. This would run a 100W oil pan heater. So will the Tacoma.

If you have lots of ventilation:
Camp cook stove/propane with long rising duct to underside of cowl. Takes about 20 minutes and you will want to babysit this one very closely. Best done outside as you will have CO or you can use a VW gasoline heater if you have 12V.

Good Luck

[n5lp]

Where yuh movin' Gary? Inquiring minds want to know.

[mosquito]

If you can get a vehicle close enough to the hangar, I'd think an inverter would cover all of your needs except preheat. Doesn't even _have_ to be a Tacoma... although they are nice.

-jon

[aerhed]

I'm building another 10 in a hangar with only 240 watts of solar panels, some batteries and a 2500 watt inverter. Biggest 12V compressor I could find (2 gal tank/125 psi). 75 watt twisties in ceiling reflectors, clear hangar door. Propane heat until the sun gets in through the door.

[AlexPeterson]

Are there hangars without electricity where it also gets cold? I suppose there are, but I'd guess not many unless it is a tiny airport.

[ColoCardinal]

Are there hangars without electricity where it also gets cold? I suppose there are, but I'd guess not many unless it is a tiny airport.

A large percentage (probably the majority) of the G A Hangars at Centennial Airport (KAPA) do not have electricity. It's one of the largest GA airports in the country and being in the suburbs of Denver it DOES get cold here!

[David Z]

Originally Posted by aerhed

I'm building another 10 in a hangar with only 240 watts of solar panels, some batteries and a 2500 watt inverter. Biggest 12V compressor I could find (2 gal tank/125 psi). 75 watt twisties in ceiling reflectors, clear hangar door. Propane heat until the sun gets in through the door.

I must be spoiled with my whole shop running off one 15A circuit.

[skybolt31]

A nitrogen tank can provide air for a lot of riveting.