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Wing tank fuel filters

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DanM

Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 64
Location: Kingsburg, Calif.

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:34 am Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

I'm right in the middle of changing out all my fuel lines, getting rid of the original factory stuff. Is it over kill or a good idea to have fuel filters from the wing tanks to just before the header tank and one filter just before the carb inlet. Opinions and thoughts on this appreciated.



Thanks

_________________
Dan Mc Intyre
Kitfox IV
Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours
Sensenich 62x46
N443DM

Av8r3400

Joined: 22 Sep 2008
Posts: 83
Location: North Central Wisconsin (KRRL)

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Wing tank fuel filters

(Same as I posted on the other board)



My opinion and its only one man's opinion:



I do not like the idea of a filter between the wing and header tanks. The only flow there is via gravity. A small amount of water contamination could block the flow through these filters. Personally, I only like a filter where a pump provides positive flow through it.

_________________
Thanks,
Av8r3400

Kitfox Model IV-1200 W/912UL & IVO
Kitfox Model IV-1050 W/912UL & Warp
YouTube Videos

kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:21 pm Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

[quote][b] [quote][b]

Lynn Matteson

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

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:12 pm Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

Dan-



That is exactly what I have on my plane right now, and ever since I  

first built it....Purolator see-through glass filters between both  

tanks (3/8" lines) and header tank, and another one before the fuel  

flow meter/TBI inlet. In fact, I have added front ports to my wing  

tanks, and I also use the same filters in those down-lines. So a  

total of 5 filters in the system...maybe overkill, but nothing gets  

into the TBI but fuel....oops, I forgot that the TBI also has what  

they call a "last chance filter" which is inside the body of the  

TBI...call it 6 filters. : )



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062

Sensenich 62"x 55.5 Wood (winter) until the Prince prop arrives

Electroair direct-fire ignition system

Rotec TBI-40 injection

Status: flying...1075+ hrs (since 3-27-2006)

On Jan 1, 2011, at 2:34 PM, DanM wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <danm(at)powerdesignelectric.com>



 I'm right in the middle of changing out all my fuel lines, getting  

 rid of the original factory stuff. Is it over kill or a good idea  

 to have fuel filters from the wing tanks to just before the header  

 tank and one filter just before the carb inlet. Opinions and  

 thoughts on this appreciated.



 Thanks



 --------

 Dan Mc Intyre

 Kitfox IV

 Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours

 Sensenich 62x46

 N443DM





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=325207#325207

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:36 pm Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

On 1/1/2011 11:34 AM, DanM wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I'm right in the middle of changing out all my fuel lines, getting rid of the original factory stuff. Is it over kill or a good idea to have fuel filters from the wing tanks to just before the header tank and one filter just before the carb inlet. Opinions and thoughts on this appreciated.

    

Personally I run big 3/8" lines with no filters down to the header tank. 
	


(I do have the finger strainers in the tank, though.) I then have one 

big race-car filter just outside the header tank on the way to the fuel 

pump. The idea is to get all the crud down to the header tank so I can 

sump it. If I'm getting floaties then I'll see them when I sump the 

header, and the filter will stop them. (It's a huge filter, probably 

12si of area so it should take a long time to clog.) I've personally 

experienced too many flow-limitation problems with the small glass 

filters typically seen between the tank and the header.



Guy Buchanan

Kitfox IV-1200 / 592-C / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs and not counting.

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

DanM

Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 64
Location: Kingsburg, Calif.

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Wing tank fuel filters

I currently have a clear filter on each down line and one just before the carb. I have been experiencing unequal flow especially from the left tank it seems to draw down much faster than the right take. I think it may have something to do with filters the filters I'm using. 



I'm changing the tank hose to header to 3/8 I.D, I have 5/16 aluminum tube to the firewall. Then I will install either 5/16 or 1/4 I.D line from the firewall to the carb. The carb inlet is 1/4" I think.

_________________
Dan Mc Intyre
Kitfox IV
Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours
Sensenich 62x46
N443DM

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

Dan,



I see that there are lots of opinions on this one.  I have one as well.  I 

used the auto fuel lines from the wing tanks to the header tanks, and like a 

couple of guys I liked to see the fuel running to the header tank so used 

the glass filters just above the seat back.  I am about to run the fuel 

lines on my new project and will do the same.  On one trip down the Sierras 

to home, I was in a fairly steep descent for a  bit over half an hour and 

wanted to see the fuel as the rearward ports on the wing tank started 

sucking air.  It did and I was able to see it and liked to be able to see 

it.



Lowell



--------------------------------------------------

From: "DanM" <danm(at)powerdesignelectric.com>

Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 11:34 AM

To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Wing tank fuel filters



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I'm right in the middle of changing out all my fuel lines, getting rid of 

 the original factory stuff. Is it over kill or a good idea to have fuel 

 filters from the wing tanks to just before the header tank and one filter 

 just before the carb inlet. Opinions and thoughts on this appreciated.



 Thanks



 --------

 Dan Mc Intyre

 Kitfox IV

 Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours

 Sensenich 62x46

 N443DM





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=325207#325207

thesupe(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

To each his own, but I will  never have the filters between the wing tanks and header tank.  My only off field landing to date has been because of a plugged filter between the wing tank and header.  That was after about 300 hrs of flying 9 different 2 stroke engined ultralights.   My thinking is let the header tank catch whatever gets past the finger strainers, it is actually a large gascolator and so that's what it's made to do.  It doesn't take much to slow up the flow in a gravity feed situation and that is what you have between the wings and header tank.   I now have a filter after the header tank and have not had similar problems in the last 300+ hrs.  Take care,  

 Jim Chuk

 Avid MK IV  (flying)

 Kitfox 4 (building)

 northern Mn

 

 > Subject: Re: Wing tank fuel filters

 	  Quote: 	
		   From: danm(at)powerdesignelectric.com

 Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2011 16:16:09 -0800

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "DanM" <danm(at)powerdesignelectric.com>

 

 I currently have a clear filter on each down line and one just before the carb. I have been experiencing unequal flow especially from the left tank it seems to draw down much faster than the right take. I think it may have something to do with filters the filters I'm using. 

 

 I'm changing the tank hose to header to 3/8 I.D, I have 5/16 aluminum tube to the firewall. Then I will install either 5/16 or 1/4 I.D line from the firewall to the carb. The carb inlet is 1/4" I think.

 

 --------

 Dan Mc Intyre

 Kitfox IV 

 Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours

 Sensenich 62x46 

 N443DM

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=325235#325235

 

 

 

 

&gt=======================
	


&g==================

[quote] 

 

 

 		 	   		    [quote][b]  	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

Fox5flyer
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:39 am Post subject: Re: Wing tank fuel filters

Fortunately for the experimental movement, there is no "right way or wrong way" to do anything and the best thing about it is that it has brought the visionaries out of the woodwork and given them the authority and opportunity to put their ideas into operation.  Some ways are better than others and hopefully all of these different methods will lead most of us into making a choice that is efficient, prudent, and safe.

  

Like, Jim, I do not use the wing tank filters for the same reasons.  And like Guy, I use 3/8" fuel lines throughout.  The header tank is a huge gascolator that does the job nicely.  At the end of the line I have a large racing fuel filter (last chance).  My philosophy is keep the fuel flowing with as few restrictions as possible.  I minimized the use of any unnecessary fittings where I could and when I did use them I ensured they were good ones.  I always tried to make gentle flowing bends in the piping wherever possible.  Keep in mind that every fitting creates a flow restriction as well as a potential leak point.   I also use a good quality full flow 3/8" shutoff on the console.  No fuel related problems in close to 500 hours.



Deke Morisse

S5 Subaru

NE Michigan

[quote="thesupe(at)hotmail.com"]To each his own, but I willï¿½ never have the filtersï¿½between theï¿½wing tanks and header tank.ï¿½ My only off field landing to date has been because of a plugged filter betweenï¿½the wing tank and header.ï¿½ That was after about 300 hrs of flyingï¿½9 different 2 stroke engined ultralights.ï¿½ ï¿½My thinking is let the header tank catch whatever gets past the finger strainers,ï¿½it is actually a large gascolator and so that's what it's made to do.ï¿½ It doesn't take much to slow up the flow in a gravity feed situation and that is what you have between the wings and header tank.ï¿½ï¿½ I now have a filter after the header tank and have not had similar problems in the last 300+ hrs.ï¿½ Take care,ï¿½ 

 Jim Chuk

 Avid MK IVï¿½ (flying)

 Kitfox 4 (building)

 northern Mn

ï¿½

 > Subject: Re: Wing tank fuel filters

[quote] From: danm(at)powerdesignelectric.com

 Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2011 16:16:09 -0800

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "DanM" <danm>

 

 I currently have a clear filter on each down line and one just before the carb. I have been experiencing unequal flow especially from the left tank it seems to draw down much faster than the right take. I think it may have something to do with filters the filters I'm using. 

 

 I'm changing the tank hose to header to 3/8 I.D, I have 5/16 aluminum tube to the firewall. Then I will install either 5/16 or 1/4 I.D line from the firewall to the carb. The carb inlet is 1/4" I think.

 

 --------

 Dan Mc Intyre

 Kitfox IV 

 Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours

 Sensenich 62x46 

 N443DM

Lynn Matteson

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

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:13 am Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

Yes, the Bing inlet is 1/4".



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062

Sensenich 62"x 55.5 Wood (winter) until the Prince prop arrives

Electroair direct-fire ignition system

Rotec TBI-40 injection

Status: flying...1075+ hrs (since 3-27-2006)



On Jan 1, 2011, at 7:16 PM, DanM wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <danm(at)powerdesignelectric.com>



 I currently have a clear filter on each down line and one just  

 before the carb. I have been experiencing unequal flow especially  

 from the left tank it seems to draw down much faster than the right  

 take. I think it may have something to do with filters the filters  

 I'm using.



 I'm changing the tank hose to header to 3/8 I.D, I have 5/16  

 aluminum tube to the firewall. Then I will install either 5/16 or  

 1/4 I.D line from the firewall to the carb. The carb inlet is 1/4"  

 I think.



 --------

 Dan Mc Intyre

 Kitfox IV

 Jabiru 2200 SN 1311 , 59.7 hours

 Sensenich 62x46

 N443DM

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

pwmac(at)sisna.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:36 am Post subject: Wing tank fuel filters

.Totally agree

If one must see fuel take the element out of the glass filter. Any 

restriction or pressure drop in those lines is very bad news and that 

is exactly what fittings and filters create.

Why one must see fuel in a line is way beyond my thought process. I 

have never heard of any vehicle except Kitfoxes that have fuel 

visible in the lines.

Nice fat lines (3/8") are overkill, use them and let the junk travel 

to the low point so it can be purged.

Paul

=====

At 05:49 PM 1/1/2011, Jim_and_Lucy Chuk wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  To each his own, but I will  never have the filters between the wing 

tanks and header tank.  My only off field landing to date has been 

because of a plugged filter between the wing tank and header.  That 

was after about 300 hrs of flying 9 different 2 stroke engined 

ultralights.   My thinking is let the header tank catch whatever 

gets past the finger strainers, it is actually a large gascolator 

and so that's what it's made to do.  It doesn't take much to slow up 

the flow in a gravity feed situation and that is what you have 

between the wings and header tank.   I now have a filter after the 

header tank and have not had similar problems in the last 300+ 

hrs.  Take care,

Jim Chuk

Avid MK IV  (flying)

Kitfox 4 (building)

northern Mn

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