---------------------------------------------------------- Lightning-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 10/06/13: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:47 PM - Canopy reflections and fire (Bill Strahan) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:47:38 PM PST US Subject: Lightning-List: Canopy reflections and fire From: "Bill Strahan" I think it was on this forum that I read several years back about an open canopy concentrating enough light to set the dash on fire. I'm so glad I read that! I was in Salida, CO on a gorgeous and VERY clear sunny day. I parked the plane and popped up the canopy. The sun was just back over my shoulder, and while sitting there for 30 seconds or so, I suddenly noticed the smell of burning chemicals! I'm so glad I read about the canopy and it's potential to focus the sun, because it immediately caused me to look down to the dash. Flames! I swatted them with one hand and pulled the canopy halfway down with the other. Very little damage done, but if I had opened the canopy and walked away this would have been a bad one! It's important to realize it's not the canopy acting like a lens, it's the canopy as a mirror. Sure, perhaps it only reflects 5%, but it's a BIG canopy and the focal point on the burned point is less than a square inch. Call the canopy 6 square feet (conservative) and with just 5% reflectivity you've got 30 watts thrown into a very small area. Careful with the canopy. My rule now is always: If it's open I'm with it, unless it's in a hanger! Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=409955#409955 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message lightning-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Lightning-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/lightning-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/lightning-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.