One of the most important tools in my hangar is the fan. I use it almost year round. Keeps me cool during the summer and I point it straight up during the winter and it helps blow the heat from the ceiling back down.
Interesting that you mentioned strut pumps. I don't have a hangar, but I just bought a 600 psi bicycle shock pump on a recommendation from someone on the Piper Forum, and it turned out to be perfect for my PA-28 struts (between proper servicing) — about 40-50 strokes raise the strut by one inch. I wish I'd known about these 19 years earlier. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D0SFMJS/
For the struts, I thought it had to filled with nitrogen in some special way. Is this pump just for temporary use?
There's no requirement for nitrogen — Piper's service instructions just say "air" — but many people prefer nitrogen for various reasons (that discussion deserves its own thread).
That is interesting, looks like it could be small/light enough to carry in your plane? I sure would be thankful if someone had one when I had a low tire or strut on some far away ramp away from my home airport. I surely would glad to use it to get me back home.
I'm speaking purely as an uninformed layperson, but I can't see how the difference in compressibility between ambient air and pure nitrogen would make any difference in how long a strut (or tire) stays inflated at the pressure altitudes your C172 or my PA-28 are capable of flying at. From what I've heard from people who do know about maintenance (unlike me), it's more likely your strut wouldn't stay inflated the first time because the fluid level was too low, assuming no damage to the strut itself; perhaps the fluid level was better when you switched to nitrogen, and that's why you didn't see the same leaks (?)That is interesting, looks like it could be small/light enough to carry in your plane? I sure would be thankful if someone had one when I had a low tire or strut on some far away ramp away from my home airport. I surely would glad to use it to get me back home.
It seems some folks can get away with just air in there struts. I tried regular air in my struts and it would not last more than 24 hours until my strut was low again. Nitrogen last me about a year or so until I have add just a little each fall when the temps start getting lower.
Myself and a late buddy have had nitrogen tanks for many years as we used to race motorcycles and rebuild shocks and we used it in tires also. So when I got the plane I just had to come up with the right air chuck and regulator. On a Cessna with no weight on the strut it only takes 40 psi or a little less. I also keep CO2 on tap for portable use for like to blow things off and things like that because CO2 is cheap.
I have used CO2 in bike tires, only last a short time, a few days. Then I used shop air and it last longer. The tires stay up the longest with nitrogen on our 2 bikes we keep at the hanger. So that tells me nitrogen is best. I know some say it doesn't matter but that is not what I found.
Another thing I think is important is to keep your strut clean with mineral spirits. It cleans off the dirt and bugs and provides a little lubrication to keep the seals from rolling. I clean the strut every couple flights. It is also handy for cleaning up oil off of stuff like the floor and your firewall.
What I ready need to get for my CO2 is a beer tap!! lol
Practice beats theory every time — if it works, keep doing it.I hear what your saying and agreed with you for many years when they started putting nitrogen in new car tires. Though it was a sales gimmick. Maybe it is?
Like I said above nitrogen seems to last the longest for me in my strut and bike tires. It is not low on 5606 as I topped it off before I pressurized it 3 years ago when I got the plane and none has leaked out since.
In a "joe dirt" voice "I don't know how, it just does!"
What everyone previously said, plus....
For those post flight debriefings,of course.!!
Remember also that this supply is quite useful for making sure you don’t second guess yourself and go flying after making a no go decision
