Winterizing Aerocet Floats

[MartyC]

My friend and I recently purchased new Aerocet floats for our planes. He has a C170 with 2200's and I have a C180 with 3500L's. Question is, should we remove the hatch covers for drying out the compartments over the winter if we suspect there is water in them? They were pumped out, but one or two have a slight gurgling sound. One of them probably because an aft hatch was not screwed down tight enough during assembly, but it is now.... An A&P mentioned some nasty growth can occur if water is left in the compartments. Seems plausible.

The planes are hangared in Northern Minnesota, the pump out plugs have been removed and the hangar temperature is maintained at 50F during the Winter. Approximate humidity range in the hangar is 20% to 30% so far this year. I think the pump out hose diameter is too small for allowing much evaporation during the Winter months.

My biggest concern is enlarging the screw holes by removing the hatches annually.

I did consider adding some RV antifreeze and or hydrogen peroxide, then pump the solution out, leaving only a small amount behind for inhibiting any nasty growth. Plus, I think the 50F temperature is probably low enough for limited mold or alga growth during the Winter.

I welcome your opinions. Thanks.

 

[aktango58]

Put the RV antifreeze in them and leave for winter. Pump out in spring.

But that is for planning on them freezing.

Inside and warm? I would not worry.

Now, one thought would be to take the hatches off and do a thorough cleaning and drying, and have them inspected by your mechanic so they are ready for spring instal. The hatches should come off every year no matter what for inspections.

 

[stewartb]

If you want anti freeze that won’t grow scuzz, use windshield washer fluid. For Aerocets stored inside? I’d open them up and let them dry. Why not?

 

[mvivion]

Yup to all above. Remove hatches, and leave them open in heated hangar. Also a good time to check all fittings for possible corrosion and clean them carefully.

MTV

 

[aktango58]

Yup to all above. Remove hatches, and leave them open in heated hangar. Also a good time to check all fittings for possible corrosion and clean them carefully.

MTV

New floats- might be checking for loose or wearing parts also. Amazing how much things things 'loosen' up in the first few hours of use!

 

[peterdillon]

We have put RV antifreeze in our Aerocets because we always did with Aluminum floats. Makes you feel like your doing something important but dont see what good it does on Aerocets. Other than checking cables and rudders the only thing we do is pour a little water in the pump out holes to make sure the hose hasn't come off. Only ones that ever have any water in them is if the lids are leaking a bit as most compartments we never get anything but air on any of the ones we have or have had in the past. We do leave the compartments open as they will start to smell over the winter if left closed due to fish garbage residue etc. On a different note we did have water rudders freeze up when it went to -10C overnight on a new set of 3500's. Made for some interesting taxiing until I guess the warmer water going by melted the ice. We need to be watching that next fall more carefully.

 

[mvivion]

We have put RV antifreeze in our Aerocets because we always did with Aluminum floats. Makes you feel like your doing something important but dont see what good it does on Aerocets. Other than checking cables and rudders the only thing we do is pour a little water in the pump out holes to make sure the hose hasn't come off. Only ones that ever have any water in them is if the lids are leaking a bit as most compartments we never get anything but air on any of the ones we have or have had in the past. We do leave the compartments open as they will start to smell over the winter if left closed due to fish garbage residue etc. On a different note we did have water rudders freeze up when it went to -10C overnight on a new set of 3500's. Made for some interesting taxiing until I guess the warmer water going by melted the ice. We need to be watching that next fall more carefully.

Man, I always hated late fall on floats…..frozen water rudders, float decks slicker than snot, putting wing covers on a floatplane, etc, etc.

MTV

 

[peterdillon]

No wing covers darn!

 

[BC12D-4-85]

I prefer to leave the rudders down in below freezing air and try to fly straight ahead until they lock up. The springs should allow enough air rudder travel if set up properly with them either up or down. On landing the warmer than air water usually thaws the extended water rudders if the tails are kept submerged with power and up elevator. If landing on a river pick a straight run not a curve until they thaw. Flew down to +10*F like that with soft ice flows in the rivers. YRMV.

As far as ice covered planes a bucket full or better yet water pump clears them off quick. Lakes typically linger at +39*F prior to freezing along the shore as the water mixes surface to lake bottom. Once the shore starts to freeze pumped water may be too cold to quickly melt ice on the aircraft. I like that propane heater above. RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) warmed and sprayed also works.

Gary

 

[BC12D-4-85]

We have put RV antifreeze in our Aerocets because we always did with Aluminum floats. Makes you feel like your doing something important but dont see what good it does on Aerocets. Other than checking cables and rudders the only thing we do is pour a little water in the pump out holes to make sure the hose hasn't come off.

What it can do is prevent the lower hose or metal tubing from freezing and then splitting. Ice around the hose end should equalize the pressures, but I've had them split at the bottom then only suck water above the split level the next summer. No way to tell unless having a look with the covers removed.

Gary

 

[Steve Pierce]

I have a fan I use to dry out inside the floats after all the hatches are opened.

 

[cubdriver2]

I cheap plastic shop vac is handy. Remove the paper filter, suck out water that can't be pumped. Empty water from vac. Reverse airflow and blow air into compartment

Glenn

 

[MartyC]

Thank you all for your excellent advice and ideas. Stewartb, great idea about the windshield washer fluid.