Effects of Heat on a rig

[SWATcop 0]

I am not talking about storing a rig under hot conditions on a daily basis but I was wondering if keeping your rig in a hot car once in a while damages it. I know sun light breaks down nylon over time but what about summer heat in a car in Florida? Also what effect does it have on Cypress batteries?

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[mjosparky 4]

There is a jumper in So. Cal. that has kept his rig in the trunk of his car every day for the last 25+ years. The only time is comes out is to jump. He has had 3 rigs in that time and makes 2 to 3 hundred a year. When packing his reserve I have not been able to notice any appreciable difference between his rigs and ones that have been stored "properly".

I am not suggesting that storing your gear in your car is a good idea. But I do believe that it is far less damaging then is commonly thought.

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[Elisha 1]

Interesting...what about the CYPRES batteries though?

[councilman24 37]

I had a customer who stored his rig in the trunk of his car during a Michigan summer. At the end of the summer it took about 35 lbs of force just to pull the open free bag off the stack of canopy! The canopy stack had stuck to the interior of the coated free bag on a Javelin. I believe in a terminal deployment it would have made little difference. A cutway from a partial would certainly have been delayed until enough speed built up to give enough force to the PC.

The bag was open, the locking stows out. This was simply the canopy material stuck to the interior of the free bag. He doesn't do that anymore.

Once in awhile, well you have to use the thing and travel to the DZ or to the Boogie. Often the only secure place is in the trunk. I wouldn't worry about normal use and travel. Just don't store it there all the time.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[SWATcop 0]

Yikes, that scares me. I would keep it in a minivan while at work if I am going jumping after. Maybe I should keep it in the office instead that day.

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[riggerrob 643]

Rubber bands rot out quicker when subjected to high temperatures.
For example, in the California desert, rubber bands - in pilot emergency parachutes - start to rot after two years.

[billvon 3,118]

>what about the CYPRES batteries though?

The lifetime of a CYPRES battery is cut in half every 10C you increase the temperature it is stored at. Most lithium primary batteries won't leak if stored in a 50C trunk - but they will go dead very quickly.

[riggermick 7]

Quote

I am not talking about storing a rig under hot conditions on a daily basis but I was wondering if keeping your rig in a hot car once in a while damages it. I know sun light breaks down nylon over time but what about summer heat in a car in Florida? Also what effect does it have on Cypress batteries?

FIY.

TSO C23d environmental pack tests require heat, cold and compression tests.

SAE AS8015 REV B.

4.3.3.1 Precondition for 16 h at not less than +200 F (93.3 C), stabilize to ambient and test drop.

4.3.3.2 Precondition for 16 h at not greater than -40 F (-40 C), stabilize and drop.


4.3.3.3 Precondition for not lass than 400 continious hours with a 200 lbf (889.6 N) or greater load applied to compress the pack in a manner similar to that most likley to be encountered in actual use. Test drop within 1 h after removing the load.

All of these tests are to be performed at the "lowest applicable direct drop speed in 4.3.6".



Mick.

[councilman24 37]

This guy worked construction everyday and then jumpmastered almost every evening. So he just had it in the car all summer.
This is pretty much Javelin specific. Their free bag is coated on the inside. It's the only one I know of that is coated.

And yes I brought this to their attention.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[SWATcop 0]

Great information. Thanks for the replies.

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[Elisha 1]

Good enough reason for me to bring it into the office on a hot day. Thanks.

[kenneth21441 0]

This brings to mind in the Pointers Manual on storage chart that is used. Where I found the mean or central point for storage at or near 70 degres F and a humtity of 70 percental. This is what I try to maintain in my daily storage of air items... Also including out of direct/ indirect sunlight of course.

I am sure that cars get alot hotter then this if allowed to set out in the sun. Ive seen then as high as 120 degrees in NC.

Best situatiion as stated before hand keep them inside. While it is true that to receive certification these systems are put to the test, I sure would not want my life depending on it everyday. Remember the T-10 series was basically packed into a trash bag during its test pack in the late 40's early 50's. I don't see too many placing that into a trash bag, especially our military.

Kenneth Potter
FAA Senior Parachute Rigger
Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA)
FFL Gunsmith