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Question about fuel flow from only one tank?

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Curt.Thompson(at)verizon.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject: Question about fuel flow from only one tank?

Sorry, I know this has been discussed before but I was hoping to get some more opinions.  There was a thread in the old Zenith list about the tendency of the fuel to only drain from one tank of their CH701 until that tank is empty and then the fuel drains from the other tank.  It was said that sometimes it happens from the left tank and other times it happens from the right (from the same aircraft).  I’ve had at least two other guys tell me this has happened to them.  I have a few questions:  

1.      Does this happen a lot or only occasionally on your CH701?  

2.      If this happens to your CH701, how is your planes fuel system different than the normal factory configuration (line routing, size, configuration, etc.)?  

3.      Same question if this does not happen on your CH701.  What is different about your plane?  Do you think you might have done something that keeps this from happening?  

4.      Does a tank ever work its way out of this mode?  Does it appear to stop feeding and then recover before a tank completely drains?  

5.      Once this blockage (or air bubble) works its way out and both tanks drain together, does it reappear if you don’t let air in the fuel system?  

  

Thanks,  

Curt  

Plans building CH701, Redmond, WA, USA  

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ggower_99(at)yahoo.com
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject: Question about fuel flow from only one tank?

Hello Curt,

  

 I am one of the guys to post in that time,  in our 701 the right tank drains first.   Since the first time (did called our atention a bit just to think the engine could stop, but didnt).  

  

 Our instalation is exactly as the plans.  The next saturday from the incident (even that nothing happend) we installed a fuel valve in each hose that comes down though the baggage compartment,  both at easy reach from the pilot or copilot seat.  we have two ways to handle the fuel burn.

 This only happens in long trips of more than 2 or 3 hrs.  up to 2 hrs flights no problem, fuel gets "even" once parked level in platform or hangar.

 1.- (My borther Larry option) take off both valves open , the left tank keep full by itself,  when the right tank almost reaches 1/4 he closes the valve and uses the left, open both for landing, regardless the fuel in the left tank. 

 We never fly with less than 1/4 in each tank,  most of our "long" flights are planned about 2 and 3 hrs. betwen refueling.

  

 2.- (My option) Take off both valves open,  when I reach cruise (or in long climb, trim at 70 mph) I close the right side valve until left tank is at 1/2 then open both valves.  normally then both reach 1/4 even...  if not (one case only)  when the right tank got premature to 1/4 I closed the valve for about 10 minutes, the time I needed to start my descent at destination, then opened both for landing.

  

 We always take off  and land with both valves open,  in local flights less than an hour, we keep both valves open (take off and landing practice, introductory and "friends from a friend" demo flights, short relaxed flights around the lake, etc.). 

  

 We always plan carefully the gas, distance, wind speed and direction, to have 1 hour reserve,  not much landing strips open around here.

  

 One last thing.  we normally leave the plane over night or during the week days in our hangar, with both tanks in half (20 liters each).  the reason is that in case that one main tire gets flat during the week or night),  lower tank will  be full and higher empty.  If there is more fuel in the tanks will drain to the floor (dont ask me how we learned it $$)

  

 Hope this helps.

  

 Saludos

 Gary Gower.

 Flying from Chapala, Mexico.

 701 912S.



--- On Mon, 9/8/08, Curt Thompson <Curt.Thompson(at)verizon.net> wrote:



  	  Quote: 	
		  From: Curt Thompson <Curt.Thompson(at)verizon.net>

Subject: Question about fuel flow from only one tank?

To: zenith701801-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 12:09 AM



  

Sorry, I know this has been discussed before but I was hoping to get some more opinions.  There was a thread in the old Zenith list about the tendency of the fuel to only drain from one tank of their CH701 until that tank is empty and then the fuel drains from the other tank.  It was said that sometimes it happens from the left tank and other times it happens from the right (from the same aircraft).  I¢ve had at least two other guys tell me this has happened to them.  I have a few questions:

 

1.      Does this happen a lot or only occasionally on your CH701?

 

2.      If this happens to your CH701, how is your planes fuel system different than the normal factory configuration (line routing, size, configuration, etc.)?

 

3.      Same question if this does not happen on your CH701.  What is different about your plane?  Do you think you might have done something that keeps this from happening?

 

4.      Does a tank ever work its way out of this mode?  Does it appear to stop feeding and then recover before a tank completely drains?

 

5.      Once this blockage (or air bubble) works its way out and both tanks drain together, does it reappear if you don¢t let air in the fuel system?

 



 

Thanks,

 

Curt

 

Plans building CH701, Redmond, WA, USA

 



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