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Fuel Flow Display
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SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Regarding the Northstar F210 Fuel Flow Display, I have two questions:



1.  Can the sending unit be installed upside down?  If installed in the fuel line between the gasolator and the fuel pump on a Rotax 912 it needs to be installed upside down to obtain the correct fuel flow direction through the sending unit and to obtain a vertical position. 



2.  Can the very long wire between the sending unit and the panel display be cut and spliced to shorten the length?  Or does that wire have some sort of shielding that should not be cut?

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:17 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Steve,

  My Northstar sending unit is installed vertical a few inches above the gascolator prior to the fuel pump and yes the wire can be shortened as specified by the instructions. I shortened mine to a total length of about 3 1/2 ft spliced it and it works perfect.

  I have included a picture but not a good one. It barely shows the installation. If you look at the lower left of the firewall you will see where the fuel line (aluminum goes down to the gascolator and then goes up to the fuel pump [in red fire sleeve). About two inches above the gascolator is the fuel sending unit for the Northstar (also wrapped in fire sleeve) there is a white circle in the line, at that location. I then cut the wire and sent it to the instrument panel for the gauge. Sorry I don't have a better picture but the picture was made to show my bush gear installation. 

                                                          

                                                                   Dick Maddux

                                                                   Rotax 912UL

                                                                   Fox 4

                                                                   Pensacola,Fl

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

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SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:36 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display

Dick,

Thanks for the info and the photo.  My installation is exactly like yours.  After I installed it, I got to wondering if I had screwed up by placing it upside down.

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:24 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Dick can I get a close-up on how you attached the oil cooler?  

   

Noel  

       

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Catz631(at)aol.com

 Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 9:45 AM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display  

  

  

     

Steve,  

    

 My Northstar sending unit is installed vertical a few inches above the gascolator prior to the fuel pump and yes the wire can be shortened as specified by the instructions. I shortened mine to a total length of about 3 1/2 ft spliced it and it works perfect.  

    

 I have included a picture but not a good one. It barely shows the installation. If you look at the lower left of the firewall you will see where the fuel line (aluminum goes down to the gascolator and then goes up to the fuel pump [in red fire sleeve). About two inches above the gascolator is the fuel sending unit for the Northstar (also wrapped in fire sleeve) there is a white circle in the line, at that location. I then cut the wire and sent it to the instrument panel for the gauge. Sorry I don't have a better picture but the picture was made to show my bush gear installation.   

    

                                                           

    

                                                                  Dick Maddux  

    

                                                                  Rotax 912UL  

    

                                                                  Fox 4  

    

                                                                  Pensacola,Fl  

  

       

  

Need a job? Find employment help in your area.  

       [quote][b]

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:42 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

If I'm reading Dick correctly, his is right side up, with the outlet  

end at the top, right, Dick? And Steve, it sounds like yours is as  

you say "upside down" meaning that the outlet is at the bottom? This,  

according to the instructions, is not what they want....I don't  

think. But if you guys are happy, I'll just shut the hell up. : )



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 610 hrs

Sensenich 62x46

Electroair direct-fire ignition system

Status: flying

do not archive



On Mar 6, 2009, at 9:36 AM, SkySteve wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Dick,

 Thanks for the info and the photo.  My installation is exactly like  

 yours.  After I installed it, I got to wondering if I had screwed  

 up by placing it upside down.



 --------

 Steve Wilson

 Huntsville, UT

 Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

 Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 33459#233459

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display

Lynn,

Your understanding of my installation is wrong.  There is an arrow on the side of the sending unit which indicates which way the fuel should flow through the sending unit.  When mounted veritcal and between the gasolator and the fuel pump, that arrow should, and does, point "up".  That is how mine is installed.  



If, on the other hand, the sending unit was installed below the header tank, the arrow should point "down".  I don't have enough room below the header tank to install the sending unit there.

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:41 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Yup, I gotcha now, Steve....as I was waking up my computer just now,  

I got to thinking of how that arrow (I have the same unit as you) is  

indicating flow direction, and not necessarily "UP". .....my bad!



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 610 hrs

Sensenich 62x46

Electroair direct-fire ignition system

Status: flying

do not archive



On Mar 6, 2009, at 11:02 AM, SkySteve wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Lynn,

 Your understanding of my installation is wrong.  There is an arrow  

 on the side of the sending unit which indicates which way the fuel  

 should flow through the sending unit.  When mounted veritcal and  

 between the gasolator and the fuel pump, that arrow should, and  

 does, point "up".  That is how mine is installed.



 If, on the other hand, the sending unit was installed below the  

 header tank, the arrow should point "down".  I don't have enough  

 room below the header tank to install the sending unit there.



 --------

 Steve Wilson

 Huntsville, UT

 Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

 Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 33466#233466

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:22 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Steve,

  My sending unit is attached right side up in accordance with the marked arrow on the unit for fuel flow. I don't know how it will work upside down. You will probably get much better gas mileage then I do (in fact making fuel).

                                                          Dick Maddux

                                                           Pensacola,Fl

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

  [quote][b]

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:35 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Steve,

  I didn't read far enough in the posts.You do have it installed correctly. The unit works well after you get it calibrated. The buttons don't work all that well and it is kind of a pain but doable.

                                                   Dick Maddux

                                                   Pensacola,Fl

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

  [quote][b]

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display

Have you found a good (ready easy) way to calibrate the fuel meter?  I did read the instructions and figured I'll have to fill both wing tanks, fly for awhile, then drain the wing tanks and remeasure the fuel left to figure my real fuel usage.

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

I haven't tried to calibrate mine yet...not enough hours on it, or  

fuel through it to bother with yet.



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 610 hrs

Sensenich 62x46

Electroair direct-fire ignition system

Status: flying





On Mar 7, 2009, at 4:46 PM, SkySteve wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Have you found a good (ready easy) way to calibrate the fuel  

 meter?  I did read the instructions and figured I'll have to fill  

 both wing tanks, fly for awhile, then drain the wing tanks and  

 remeasure the fuel left to figure my real fuel usage.



 --------

 Steve Wilson

 Huntsville, UT

 Kitfox Model 1- 85DD

 912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive

 Convertible Nosewheel &amp; Tailwheel





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 33620#233620

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

andynfultz(at)bellsouth.n
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Steve,

  Wouldn't it be much easier to top off, go fly and then top off again?

What ever you put in after the flight is what you burned isn't it?



Andy F.



--

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:39 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Steve,

  Like Lynn, I haven't worried too much about the exact accuracy. What I have been doing is watching the fuel quantity in the tanks vs the amount shown on the gauge. I have been increasing the amount used on the gauge which in turn increases the amount used on the fuel flow. I am now up to 3.8 gph at 5000 rpm which seems to jive pretty good with my sight gauges. I will continue to tweek it. If I get it in the ball park I am ok with it as the sight gauges bounce all over the place in the air and it is nice to have a steady reading off the Northstar. I have been checking the two together (sight gauge and Northstar) as it sits on the ground as that amount is pretty close. I have drained and refilled my airplane many times so I know the sight gauges are pretty close on the ground.

                                                            Dick Maddux

                                                            Fox 4

                                                            Rotax 912 UL

                                                            Pensacola,Fl

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

  [quote][b]

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:12 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Fill to the gunwales, go fly a while and refill to the gunwales measuring

the amount for the second fill.  Reset the fuel flow meter.



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display

Gunwales it is!!

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Good enough for Government work!



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:49 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

What do you expect from a guy who lives less than 50 feet from the North

Atlantic???  



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

SkySteve

Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display

NEW PROBLEM:  I have installed the transducer in the fuel line.  I have also installed the fuel flow meter in the panel and wired it to my electrical system.  The meter works great!  



HOWEVER, when I connect the transducer to the meter via the 5 pin connector, the meter shuts off, goes dark, no light, shows nothing, blank screen.  I am thinking I must either have:  a) a bad 5 pin connector (which I can fix by cutting off the connector and hard wiring the transducer to the meter) OR, b) a bad transducer.  One more option/question:  Does the transducer require fuel to be going through it in order for it to work?  I have not yet run the engine.

_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:55 am Post subject: Fuel Flow Display

Steve,

  When I turn the master switch on in my aircraft the Northstar beeps,red internal light comes on and it indicates GAS followed by the amount in the tanks. The fuel flow button if pushed shows a blank as the engine is not running.

                                                      Dick Maddux

                                                      Pensacola,Fl 

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:28 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Flow Display

 	  SkySteve wrote: 	
		  Have you found a good (ready easy) way to calibrate the fuel meter?  I did read the instructions and figured I'll have to fill both wing tanks, fly for awhile, then drain the wing tanks and remeasure the fuel left to figure my real fuel usage. 	




I have checked my meter several times and it was close enough out of the box that I have not felt the need to screw with it.  I just filled it up with X amount of gas, went flying for a few hours then I always drain gas out of the tanks for trailering... What I sucked out of the tank was really dang close to what the meter said I had remaining.

_________________
DO NOT ARCHIVE
Leonard Perry aka SNAKE
Soldotna AK
Avid "C" / Mk IV
582 (147 hrs and counting on the rebuild)
IVO IFA
Full Lotus 1450
#1 snake oil salesman since 1-22-2009

I would rather die trying to live, than to live trying not to die....

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