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long range tanks fuel selector valve

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leinad

Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Location: Central Virginia

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:02 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

I've been looking for a 5 way fuel selector valve for the optional tanks on the Zodiac.  I've only found one source and they want $450.00..  Any other sources??

Dan Dempsey  (601XL/Corvair)

_________________
Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine

gk(at)601hd.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:44 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Dan,



Suggest you look back in the archives.  A former list member, Frank Hinde,

had a good argument that instead of an expensive  valve it was better to use

one facet fuel pump per tank feeding through into the gascolator.  The trick

was choosing the right pump: check valve, unpowered flow rate etc. You'll

find the details in the archive.  Frank had a 601HDS which didn't gravity

feed as the 801 should so his decision criteria may have been different from

yours.



Graham Kirby

601HD




I've been looking for a 5 way fuel selector valve for the optional tanks on

the Zodiac.  I've only found one source and they want $450.00..  Any other

sources?? Dan Dempsey  (601XL/Corvair)



--------

Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine

p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Have you considered cascading 2 levels of standard 3 way selectors?



Paul

XL fuselage



At 05:02 PM 10/31/2006, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I've been looking for a 5 way fuel selector valve for the optional 

tanks on the Zodiac.  I've only found one source and they want 

$450.00..  Any other sources??

Dan Dempsey  (601XL/Corvair)



--------

Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine


	


--

jhstarn(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:02 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Take a look at ACS (AirCraft Spruce) www.aircraftspruce.com , page #166 

Andair FS20x8-7 Model 8, the 3/8" unit appears to be $240.00 with 

male/female fitting or $285.00 with a "banjo" fitting among a whole list of 

options regarding fittings/outlets. Do Not Archive  KABONG



Subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I've been looking for a 5 way fuel selector valve for the optional tanks 

 on the Zodiac.  I've only found one source and they want $450.00..  Any 

 other sources??

 Dan Dempsey  (601XL/Corvair)

leinad

Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Location: Central Virginia

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Paul,

Originally my plan was just that.  Two valves would select between inboard or outboard on the left and right, then a third valve to select right or left.  When I found out Andair had a 5 way selector, it sounded like easier fuel management, so I went that way.  The problem was that the dealer was not willing to abide by the advertised price, but doubled it before delivery.  So now I'm back to looking at the alternatives.



One suggestion was to use fuel pumps and check valves for each tank.  I don't like that solution.  I'd rather the fuel pumps (there will be a main and backup) pull the fuel from the tanks rather than push.  I'd rather not have the fuel under pressure going through the cabin.   Just my preference.. it seams safer.

Dan



 	  p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att wrote: 	
		  Have you considered cascading 2 levels of standard 3 way selectors?



Paul

XL fuselage



At 05:02 PM 10/31/2006, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I've been looking for a 5 way fuel selector valve for the optional 

tanks on the Zodiac.  I've only found one source and they want 

$450.00..  Any other sources??

Dan Dempsey  (601XL/Corvair)



--------

Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine



	


--

_________________
Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:07 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

I've thought about pumps instead of valves to select tanks (or feed a header

tank). One problem I see is with a loss of the electrical system. A

magneto-based engine will keep running without external electrical power and

with a mechanical fuel pump (or gravity feed) won't need power for

electrical fuel pumps. But without a mechanical valve (or valves) you won't

have access to all your tanks (or possibly any tanks).



-- Craig

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

 	  Quote: 	
		  > Have you considered cascading 2 levels of standard 3 way selectors?


	


That sounds like a false economy to me - mishandling multiple tanks causes a

lot of accidents. I'd spring for the valve.



Andair's 4 tank valve (FS20x8M) appears to cost about $279 direct from

Andair: www.andair.co.uk. I'm in the US and have successfully ordered from

their UK web site.



-- Craig

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

 	  Quote: 	
		  > The problem was that the dealer was not willing to abide by the

advertised price, but doubled it before delivery.
	




If Spruce doesn't come through (I don't know what they stock) order direct

from Andair - they stick by the prices listed on their web site. I've

ordered valves directly from them twice and the prices were correct and the

shipping to the US not significant. It is especially useful to order custom

configurations from them and their web site has a series of slick screens

that allow you to build your valve.



No, I don't work for them.



www.andair.co.uk



-- Craig

jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Dan,

	The list has changed personalities recently, but for years the oft

repeated advice was to push fuel and not to pull it.  The rationale was that

pulling it could cause vapor lock.  Search the archives for lots of posts on

this.  The advice was to place the fuel pump as close to the tank as

possible being careful to measure how high the pump would lift the fuel to

where it was going.  Depending on the pump, the pressure may only be in the

range of 2 to 4 pounds (PSI).  The bing carby likes about 3 for instance.

      Jeff Davidson

  



One suggestion was to use fuel pumps and check valves for each tank.  I

don't like that solution.  I'd rather the fuel pumps (there will be a main

and backup) pull the fuel from the tanks rather than push.  I'd rather not

have the fuel under pressure going through the cabin.   Just my preference..

it seams safer.

Dan

jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:53 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Craig,

	Jabiru for instance puts the electric pump and mechanical engine

fuel pump in series.  There have been several reports on this list of

builders that only use the electrical pump for take-off & landing.  The

mechanical pump can be enough in normal flight.  The Facet pumps are made

for continuous operation however, so you can have it both ways if you want.

If the power goes, you are down to what some folks normally rely on: the

mechanical pump.  

	In the configuration that was referred to, the lines from both tanks

were open to the engine through a T or Y, but only the tank with the

operating fuel pump was pushing fuel up to the engine.  The problem as I saw

it was how to cut off the fuel to the engine during emergency procedures

without a selector or cut-off valve.    

	Jeff Davidson






I've thought about pumps instead of valves to select tanks (or feed a header

tank). One problem I see is with a loss of the electrical system. A

magneto-based engine will keep running without external electrical power and

with a mechanical fuel pump (or gravity feed) won't need power for

electrical fuel pumps. But without a mechanical valve (or valves) you won't

have access to all your tanks (or possibly any tanks).



-- Craig

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

Isn't it possible that with one electric pump pushing and the other not the

pull from the mechanical pump would draw from both tanks? This depends on

just which Facet pump is used. Some have check-valves, some have anti-siphon

valves, some have both, some have neither:



www.facet-purolator.com/mcl/media/technology/hd_pdfs/Cubed_Solid.pdf



I just find a system with a selector valve simpler.



-- Craig

taffy0687(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:32 am Post subject: long range tanks fuel selector valve

I agree with Craig 100%--- get the proper valve.   Check out the number of aircraft accidents caused by fuel MIS-management.  Also put the valve in a "proper location-- (not a problem with the CH designs)  I.E. the unfortunate accident of John Denver.

  

 Fritz-- 90/90--- Corvair

 ---

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