Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hey can anyone help on this subject......CO2 levels..

I was just up with a buddy in his Pacer and we were checking his CO2 levels in different regimes of flight....Takeoff, Climb, Decent etc...

The first time we used a standard household unit that provides readings every few minutes and it proved confusing .....10-50ppm readings at almost all regimes and hard to pin point increasing and decreasing levels...

Today we tried this unit..

http://www.aeromedix.com/product-exec/p ... e_Detector

very small and effective.....quick response and easy to find a trend....more in climb or decent.etc....

Does anyone know of this unit and is it the Best???

This is the heater time of the year in this area......and I would like to hear from the T18 group on any gems....of information...

Thanks..

Paul Gagnon

I know the little sticky ones that cost about $20 are next to useless....

We use them in the Scouts I tow with and although several peeps have complained of nausea, headache, sleepiness (sounds like three new stooges ) the maintainers maintain (!!) they are good.

I think the lifesaver in that case is the Scout is so poorly sealed there are multiple paths for fresh air to replace the exhaust polluted air.

Not sure about the T-18 since the worst built one seems better built then the best ACA can do

The Pocket CO 300 seems pretty pricey but if it saves your azz its money well spent!

Tim,,

Hello my friend!!

Finding the leak and identifying the fix can be a headache..!!

Is it from heater?
Floorboards?
Firewall?
Tail?

Using the small accurate CO2 tool that gives readings 5-6 second intervals..down to 1PPM was great for us trying to trouble-shoot the leak source....

140$$$$ is alot of cash for a tool....But how else can one locate the source?? The discoloured chicklett on the dash is slow and inaccurate...IMHO...

The tool says it will last 3 years....and it gives a total accumulated CO2 level one has been exposed to...In last 8 hours....If our T18's are giving us a 8-15PPM{very minor,not dangerous} dose and we can find it,,and stop it ....it's worth the 140$$...???

Is there a better way????......Does anyone have info on T18 CO2 prevention??....Air circulation...??

Thanks for the input..

Paul

Tim / Paul: found a good general reference to CO2, aircraft incidents, info etc.

http://www.aeromedix.com/aeromedix_arti ... index.html

As we know CO2 is incomplete burning of aviation fuel, problem is, this CO2 is colourless and odourless. Difficult to pin point the source. Starting point is the engine compartment however, you could further investigate using smoke tracers:

http://store.metermall.com/air-flow--tr ... ke-c2.aspx

I recommend to check for possible leaks:
1. exhaust pipe connections / exhaust gaskets missing or worn
2. exhaust welded joints check cracks (LPI) liquid penetrate inspection
3. heat muffs/ heating system ducting/ heat system parts / elbows, flanges
4. firewall seals / missing or worn grommets
5. look at where the exhaust pipes end. Possible CO2 leaks under the floor boards / fuselage/ canopy into cabin. You may have to use sealant to seal holes, gaps or minor openings.

For pressurised aircraft you can smoke inside the aircraft and look for tar / nicotine stains at the cabin points of air exit. The smoke tracers show point of entry smoke will migrate into cabin if there is a point of entry.

This links discusses possible CO2 leak sources:

http://www.amtonline.com/publication/ar ... 1&id=11923

I have not used the pocket CO2 detectors. So I can not speak on its reliability. I do believe the Thorp is built to higher, tighter standards not with standing this detector is a small price to pay for your safety.

Good luck with the leak.

_________________
Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
"In Memory Of Dad"

It's CO, not CO2. CO2 is plant food, regardless of what Al Gore says.

John Evens
N71JE

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

I like my C02 in beverages ! [:p] I thought CO was a State ?

RB

Sorry Gang: been a while since I was in a chemistry class.
What's a extra oxygen element in a chemical compound amongst friends?

So I am running a little lean today,....

_________________
Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
"In Memory Of Dad"

Sorry fellows..

ya the thing is called a "Pocket CO" detector......DUH...Not CO2.

Thanks for the info
I will check on the above...
All good info..

My chemistry only went as far as Rum and Coke mixture ratio.....Can be critical..!!


Paul

There are smoke detector size battery operated CO detectors that sell for about $25.00.(I think) I bought mine from Big Lots a few years ago for $10.00.

Just got one from Amazon. About $20.00, with batteries-free shipping, no tax. A little larger than a transistor radio. Remember those...only had AM. [:0]

RB