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trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt
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 Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:08 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Guys
I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
I think I have a stuck float...
Anybody had this problem?
How did you solve it?
Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
Help needed
Carlos
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bdgillespie215(at)gmail.c
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 3:23 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Carlos - I’m sure some others will chime in but one possibility would be to empty the fuel from that tank and remove the “push drain valve”. Using something to probe up into the hole you may be able to move the float wire.
I did this when working on my tanks - upside down / not installed. I used a rigid wire with a hook on the end to gently lift the float wire. Installed on fuselage It may take a second person shining a light in the top fill hole to be able to see the float wire. You can then put an ohm meter on the float and see (hopefully) the change in resistance as the float moves.
Gook luck.
Byron
RV-10 flying N253RV
RV-14 building
Sent from my iPad
| Quote: | On Jan 23, 2020, at 4:13 AM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
Guys
I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
I think I have a stuck float...
Anybody had this problem?
How did you solve it?
Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
Help needed
Carlos
|
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philperry9
Joined: 23 Nov 2011
Posts: 381
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:13 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Hi Carlos,
There is supposed to be a 90° bend that is added to the end of the float wire. This bend keeps the float from rotating on the electronic sensor.
Vans plans do not clearly show the bend and if it’s missed, the float can simply twist inside the tank and never activate the sensor.
If you didn’t add this bend, then you’ll have to pull both sensors, add the bend, and reinstall.
There’s a good chance this is the problem, many people have missed this step in the plans...
Phil
Sent from my iPhone
| Quote: | On Jan 23, 2020, at 3:13 AM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
Guys
I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
I think I have a stuck float...
Anybody had this problem?
How did you solve it?
Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
Help needed
Carlos
|
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
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trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:47 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Smart idea Byron
I am going to try that one, before pulling the wing out 😩
Thanks
Carlos
Enviado do meu iPhone
| Quote: | No dia 23/01/2020, às 11:29, Home <bdgillespie215(at)gmail.com> escreveu:
Carlos - I’m sure some others will chime in but one possibility would be to empty the fuel from that tank and remove the “push drain valve”. Using something to probe up into the hole you may be able to move the float wire.
I did this when working on my tanks - upside down / not installed. I used a rigid wire with a hook on the end to gently lift the float wire. Installed on fuselage It may take a second person shining a light in the top fill hole to be able to see the float wire. You can then put an ohm meter on the float and see (hopefully) the change in resistance as the float moves.
Gook luck.
Byron
RV-10 flying N253RV
RV-14 building
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 23, 2020, at 4:13 AM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
>
>
>
> Guys
>
> I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
> The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
> I think I have a stuck float...
>
> Anybody had this problem?
> How did you solve it?
> Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
>
> Help needed
> Carlos
>
>
>
>
>
>
|
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Kelly McMullen
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 1188
Location: Sun Lakes AZ
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 5:54 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Check the fuel sender circuit by disconnecting the wire from the sender, see what you get with infinite resistance, then what you get with wire grounded. That will verify the circuit is okay Once reconnected you can connect ohmmeter at the sending unit and monitor as you add fuel, to verify you see the same thing at the sender as what your engine monitor sees.
You might be able to find someone nearby with an articulating/flexible borescope that would let you look inside the tank through the drain hole to see what is going on. (One example https://www.amazon.com/AbleScope-VA-800-Inspection-Vedioscope-Articulating/ )
If you get to worst case, you do Not need to pull the wing. Just remove the wing root cover, then disconnect fuel fittings and remove the fuel tank.
You do NOT want to remove the wing spar/carry-through bolts once they are installed, because they are interference fit, and once removed require replacement with next size larger close tolerance bolts.
On Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 5:51 AM Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt (trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt)> wrote:
| Quote: | --> RV10-List message posted by: Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt (trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt)>
Smart idea Byron
I am going to try that one, before pulling the wing out 😩
Thanks
Carlos
Enviado do meu iPhone
> No dia 23/01/2020, às 11:29, Home <bdgillespie215(at)gmail.com (bdgillespie215(at)gmail.com)> escreveu:
>
> --> RV10-List message posted by: Home <bdgillespie215(at)gmail.com (bdgillespie215(at)gmail.com)>
>
> Carlos - I’m sure some others will chime in but one possibility would be to empty the fuel from that tank and remove the “push drain valve”. Using something to probe up into the hole you may be able to move the float wire.
>
> I did this when working on my tanks - upside down / not installed. I used a rigid wire with a hook on the end to gently lift the float wire. Installed on fuselage It may take a second person shining a light in the top fill hole to be able to see the float wire. You can then put an ohm meter on the float and see (hopefully) the change in resistance as the float moves.
>
> Gook luck.
> Byron
> RV-10 flying N253RV
> RV-14 building
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Jan 23, 2020, at 4:13 AM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt (trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt)> wrote:
>>
>> --> RV10-List message posted by: Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt (trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt)>
>>
>> Guys
>>
>> I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
>> The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
>> I think I have a stuck float...
>>
>> Anybody had this problem?
>> How did you solve it?
>> Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
>>
>> Help needed
>> Carlos
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
===========
br> fts!)
r> > rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
-Matt Dralle, List Admin.
===========
-List" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List
===========
FORUMS -
eferrer" target="_blank">http://forums.matronics.com
===========
WIKI -
errer" target="_blank">http://wiki.matronics.com
===========
b Site -
-Matt Dralle, List Admin.
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
===========
|
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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Kelly McMullen
A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor
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tcboan(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:55 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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The VA-980 which provides both flexibility or rigidity when need - like
looking in a fuel tank, vs the VA-800 which is just flexible, but same
camera, optics and electronics is less expensive at Aircraft Tool Supply
for about $360. :>)
On 23 Jan 2020 at 6:51, Kelly McMullen wrote:
| Quote: |
Check the fuel sender circuit by disconnecting the wire from the sender, see what you get with
infinite resistance, then what you get with wire grounded. That will verify the circuit is okay Once
reconnected you can connect ohmmeter at the sending unit and monitor as you add fuel, to verify
you see the same thing at the sender as what your engine monitor sees.
You might be able to find someone nearby with an articulating/flexible borescope that would let
you look inside the tank through the drain hole to see what is going on. (One example
https://www.amazon.com/AbleScope-VA-800-Inspection-Vedioscope-Articulating/ )
If you get to worst case, you do Not need to pull the wing. Just remove the wing root cover, then
disconnect fuel fittings and remove the fuel tank.
You do NOT want to remove the wing spar/carry-through bolts once they are installed, because
they are interference fit, and once removed require replacement with next size larger close
tolerance bolts.
On Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 5:51 AM Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
Smart idea Byron
I am going to try that one, before pulling the wing out
Thanks
Carlos
Enviado do meu iPhone
> No dia 23/01/2020, s 11:29, Home <bdgillespie215(at)gmail.com> escreveu:
>
>
>
> Carlos - Im sure some others will chime in but one possibility would be to empty the fuel
from that tank and remove the "push drain valve". Using something to probe up into the hole
you may be able to move the float wire.
>
> I did this when working on my tanks - upside down / not installed. I used a rigid wire with a
hook on the end to gently lift the float wire. Installed on fuselage It may take a second
person shining a light in the top fill hole to be able to see the float wire. You can then put an
ohm meter on the float and see (hopefully) the change in resistance as the float moves.
>
> Gook luck.
> Byron
> RV-10 flying N253RV
> RV-14 building
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Jan 23, 2020, at 4:13 AM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Guys
>>
>> I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both
tanks.
>> The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing
any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
>> I think I have a stuck float...
>>
>> Anybody had this problem?
>> How did you solve it?
>> Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it
again with the nasty pro seal?
>>
>> Help needed
>> Carlos
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
===========
br> fts!)
r> > rel="noreferrer"target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
-Matt Dralle, List Admin.
===========
-List" rel="noreferrer"target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List
===========
FORUMS -
eferrer"target="_blank">http://forums.matronics.com
===========
WIKI -
errer"target="_blank">http://wiki.matronics.com
===========
b Site -
-Matt Dralle, List Admin.
rel="noreferrer"target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
===========
|
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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carl.froehlich(at)verizon
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:15 am Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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I’ve seen this once. It was a new build as well. We did some manual wing rocking with perhaps a half a tank a gas and it came unstuck. Never stuck again.
I’m guessing that sitting dry (as in never having gas in the tank) caused the problem.
Carl
| Quote: | On Jan 23, 2020, at 1:13 PM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
Guys
I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
I think I have a stuck float...
Anybody had this problem?
How did you solve it?
Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
Help needed
Carlos
|
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
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Lenny Iszak
Joined: 23 Mar 2008
Posts: 270
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:27 pm Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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I missed that 90 degree bend in the float arms and both of my fuel senders twisted over after a while and went to the bottom. Not fun.
Lenny
| Quote: | On Jan 23, 2020, at 7:20 AM, Phil Perry <philperry9(at)gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Carlos,
There is supposed to be a 90° bend that is added to the end of the float wire. This bend keeps the float from rotating on the electronic sensor.
Vans plans do not clearly show the bend and if it’s missed, the float can simply twist inside the tank and never activate the sensor.
If you didn’t add this bend, then you’ll have to pull both sensors, add the bend, and reinstall.
There’s a good chance this is the problem, many people have missed this step in the plans...
Phil
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 23, 2020, at 3:13 AM, Carlos Trigo <trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt> wrote:
>
>
>
> Guys
>
> I am now calibrating the fuel level indication, I have the stock fuel sender floats in both tanks.
> The right tank went very smooth, calibration is done, but in the left tank I am not seeing any change in the voltage when adding fuel in the tanks.
> I think I have a stuck float...
>
> Anybody had this problem?
> How did you solve it?
> Did you have to open the cover of the float sender in the tank inboard rib and seal it again with the nasty pro seal?
>
> Help needed
> Carlos
>
>
>
>
>
>
|
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
|
_________________
Lenny Iszak
Palm City, FL
2014 RV-10, N311LZ - 500 hrs |
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Bob Turner
Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Posts: 885
Location: Castro Valley, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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| carl.froehlich(at)verizon wrote: | I’ve seen this once. It was a new build as well. We did some manual wing rocking with perhaps a half a tank a gas and it came unstuck. Never stuck again.
I’m guessing that sitting dry (as in never having gas in the tank) caused the problem.
Carl
| Quote: | On Jan 23, 2020, at 1:13 PM,
|
|
+1 Always try the easy stuff first, hope for the best.
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
Bob Turner
RV-10 QB |
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n520tx(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:50 pm Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Had the same thing happen on my 7a. I tapped the butt of a screwdriver
against the outer rib where the sender is attached ... I heard the
"clunk" of the float arm falling down. Done deal.
--Ron
On 1/23/20 3:33 PM, Bob Turner wrote:
| Quote: |
carl.froehlich(at)verizon wrote:
> I’ve seen this once. It was a new build as well. We did some manual wing rocking with perhaps a half a tank a gas and it came unstuck. Never stuck again.
>
> I’m guessing that sitting dry (as in never having gas in the tank) caused the problem.
>
> Carl
>> On Jan 23, 2020, at 1:13 PM,
>>
>>
>
+1 Always try the easy stuff first, hope for the best.
--------
Bob Turner
RV-10 QB
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=494427#494427
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Tim Olson
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 2:56 pm Post subject: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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Mine stuck once too in the first couple of flights I did. It stayed up
and then after I
banged it, it went down and never stuck again.
Tim
On 1/23/2020 3:33 PM, Bob Turner wrote:
| Quote: |
carl.froehlich(at)verizon wrote:
> I’ve seen this once. It was a new build as well. We did some manual wing rocking with perhaps a half a tank a gas and it came unstuck. Never stuck again.
>
> I’m guessing that sitting dry (as in never having gas in the tank) caused the problem.
>
> Carl
>> On Jan 23, 2020, at 1:13 PM,
>>
>>
+1 Always try the easy stuff first, hope for the best.
--------
Bob Turner
RV-10 QB
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=494427#494427
|
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Greg McFarlane
Joined: 12 Apr 2012
Posts: 57
Location: Albany Western Australia
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| Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2020 12:22 am Post subject: Re: Fuel level indicator stuck? |
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I had the same before first flight and had a panic attack thinking of removing sender/tank etc, a friend came around and as others have said, gave the top of the tank a good SLAP and the sender dropped..... problem solved
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