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EAFerguson(at)aol.com
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 Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:37 am Post subject: Fuel tank calibration |
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Jerry,
What lights do you get when calibrating? I had a bad sending unit that we had to replace (OK, Nick replaced it, I just watched). That unit had flashing lights to indicate a fault.
Earl
N17EF
Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.
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vanheeswyk(at)cox.net
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| Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:02 am Post subject: Fuel tank calibration |
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Earl, I'll have to make note the next time I am at the airport. It seemed that one sensor showed normal lights, and the other didn't. Linda suggested I try to obtain a copy of the documentation with the light error patterns defined, but have not been able to do so yet. If anyone can scan and send, or FAX, I would appreciate it. It would be necessary to call first (520-749-5010), so that I can turn on the FAX machine.
The last thing in the world I would want to do is replace a sensor. It sounds like a big job to pull the wing, and find a way to 'unglue' it without damaging anything.
Jerry
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Colin K.
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: Fuel tank calibration |
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Jerry,
I have scanned the instructions, with light patterns for you.
I cannot post it to the list, but if you or anyone else wants to send me their email address, I will send it to you direct.
Now if someone would just drop by and pop in my spar bolts for me, I would be very grateful 
Colin K.
OK
Lightning # 52 under construction.
http://www.mykitlog.com/cojaken
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Colin K.
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N1BZRich(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject: Fuel tank calibration |
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All,
It is good to see so many inputs to Jerry's original question about his fuel quantity system. That is one of the major reason for having a list like this - helping each other and developing a useful flow of information.
As long as we are talking about the fuel quantity system let me add a few thoughts that may be of help in the future. First, when you fill your tanks for the first time I would highly recommend you take that opportunity to "build" yourself a fuel quantity "dip stick" for future use. I suggest a dowel that is about 12 inches long and "calibrate" one end for the right tank and the other end for the left tank. When I made mine, I had the fuel truck put in 3 gallons then dipped the stick and before the wet mark evaporates, mark the stick with a permanent ink. Continue at 3 gallon intervals until you have both sides calibrated and marked on each end of the stick. Be sure to mark which end of the stick is for the left tank and which end for the right. Now you will have an accurate way to "stick" your tanks to see how much fuel you have in each side before a flight. I am sure you all can see why this would be a good "tool" to have with you at all times.
Second, I really like having the Grand Rapids fuel flow measurement system on my airplane. With the Grand Rapids EIS and EFIS showing fuel flow from the fuel flow transmitter, in effect gives you a second (and totally independent) fuel quantity system. Any time you fill your tanks, tell the EIS how much total fuel you have on board (or how many gallons you added) and the EIS and EFIS will count down from that number based on the fuel flow you are showing and therefore give you a second reading of how much fuel you have on board. On my airplane this is so much more accurate than my standard float type fuel quantity measurement system. I can accurately tell the fuel truck within a tenth or so how many gallons it will take to top off my tanks.
Third, one benefit of having a fuel flow system is that it really makes data gathering for your performance charts that show fuel flow so easy. But another really good reason to install a fuel flow is that if you ever have to run a tank dry while flying, for any reason, such as needing to re-calibrate your fuel measurement system, it will greatly take away the "pucker" factor. Let me explain. Before I installed the fuel flow system, I had to run my tanks dry several times to re-calibrate to get my fuel quantity system more accurate. Now I have often run tanks dry in my previous airplanes when on long cross countries in order to know how much fuel I had and in which tank I had that fuel, so no big deal. You know about when the tanks is going to run dry so you are listing for the engine to start to miss and the instant it does, you switch tanks and maybe even turn on the electric fuel pump for a while. As I said, no big deal. Well that is not how it happens when you run a tank dry with a Jabiru 3300. One second everything is normal, the next second the engine stops - no missing for a few seconds, just completely quiet, and that gets your attention even though you are expecting it. As soon as you switch tanks the engine starts again within a few seconds, but there is that immediate "startle" factor when it happens. Adding a fuel flow system took away took away this "startle" factor. What now happens is as the tank starts to run dry the fuel line gets some bubbles in it and the fuel flow transmitter sees these bubbles as an increase in fuel flow and turns on the red caution light and the fuel flow too high caution light. Of course you have to set your EIS so it knows what fuel flow is too high. As soon as this red light for high fuel flow comes on, switch tanks and the engine never misses a beat. Now, running a tank dry is once again no big deal. Just switch tanks when the fuel flow too high and red light comes on. The tank will be dry and your engine will not have missed a beat.
So to my way of thinking, having a fuel flow added to your system is money well spent. It is one more piece of information you have and gives you a "completely independent fuel quantity system". And the fuel dip stick is certainly a cheap tool that is very useful.
Blue Skies,
Buz
Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.
[quote][b]
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14az(at)mysprocketmail.co
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| Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: Fuel tank calibration |
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Colin.
Please send me the me the light patterns also. I would like to start my fueling tomorrow.
Johnny Thompson 14az(at)mysprocketmail.com (14az(at)mysprocketmail.com)
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Colin K.
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:33 am Post subject: Fuel tank calibration |
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I can send it this evening when I get home Johnny.
---- Johnny Thompson <14az(at)mysprocketmail.com> wrote:
[quote] MessageColin.
Please send me the me the light patterns also. I would like to start my fueling tomorrow.
Johnny Thompson 14az(at)mysprocketmail.com
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Colin K.
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