Storing Parts in a Shipping Container

[RV7AJeremy]

I have a large, metal shipping container/conex and I would like to store my wings and tail feathers in it. The hesitation I have is that it will be in direct sunlight, in the AZ summer. I think the wings and emp will be fine but I wanted to get the thoughts/experiences from the group. I do still have the blue plastic on some of the parts which I plan on removing.

Thoughts?

[aarvig]

As long as there is no visible moisture you should be fine. You could place a several bags of dessicant in the container to help pull any humidity in the air. Also, any parts that are bare metal I would run a rag over them with acetone on them to pull off any human oils or other that may cause oxidation while sitting. I just stored my plane in a mini storage for 6 months. I just cleaned the parts with acetone really quickly (ones that did not have the blue plastic on them) and left them in storage. No problems at all.

[SvingenB]

The heat is no problem, but moisture could be. Moisture will condensate due to changes in temperature. The easiest method of preventing this is to keep the air in the container a few degrees above ambient with a heating element, and of course make sure no water enters through the roofs/walls, but you have to have some ventilation.

[az_gila]

This is a common problem for sailplanes stored in trailers in the desert.

Some ventilation is the key to keeping the moisture from building up inside the container.

A solar powered vent on top will help -

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50678

Place it at one end and put some screened openings low down at the other end.

It can be used in conjunction with one that is wind powered -

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50678

A white painted container will also help, and definitely make sure it is pack rat proof...

[RV7AJeremy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I really like the solar powered vents!