Hans:
I think this may be a parallel to the way water is kept from
freezing in storage basins (etc.) where overwinter boats are kept. The
solution may not be the extent of heat, but of keeping the medium moving. In
boats it is a bubble machine below which (like moving air in orchards or
vinyards) prevents the accumulation of moisture. In your case, although some
heat is necessary, perhaps a fan of sufficient scope, or a ducting to
various sites might prevent the accumulation of moisture at a much cheaper
rate than the heat. I know a small blower (which raised the inside pressure)
stopped condensation in a 2mx2mx2m room from settling on walls and radio
equipment - and is used in the far north rather than heat (air is dry but
still air is prevented).
Perhaps thinking in that sense might help.
Ferg diesel Europa A064
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hans Jrgen Danielsen" <hansjd@online.no>
Subject: Wet hangars
Hi all.
I'll toss in a problem now which is not in any way related to the Europa,
but which is of great concern to us here in the high north. It has to do
with quite heavy condensation inside a set of new hangars - to which many
have different ways to solve. The problems are especially high these days
with this damp just-above-zero WX.
I came up with an idea to day that it really is a matter of temperature -
not the humidity itself. In other words, a question of heat. I remember some
years ago a sailplane owner who managed to keep his trailer dry all through
the winter, by simply putting a 60 watt electric bulb inside! In that way he
kept the temperature a fraction above what was on the outside, and voila: a
dry interior.
For a hangar, housing 7 or 8 aeroplanes the heat source would have to be
much greater of course, but when taking into account that all we are talking
about is one or two degrees difference between out- and inside, I don't
think it would have to be substantial. It has to be mentioned that the
hangars are made of a metal framework, covered with a tarpauline.
Are there any out there - high up, or in the north - who have experience on
this, and to how big a heat source would have to be?? Your suggestions would
be highly appreciated!
Cheers to all,
Hans.
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