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johnwigney(at)alltel.net
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 Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:47 am Post subject: Fuel supply reliability discussion |
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Dear Europaphiles,
There was some recent discussion regarding blocked fuel filters during early test flying on the Europa. Some of these stories have happy endings, others have resulted in accidents. Before I flew my plane in 2001, there had already been quite a lot of discussion on this same subject and I had concluded that if the Rotax 912/912S/914 is supplied with fuel, it will generally run without trouble. If one has dirty fuel for whatever reason, any filter system will block eventually. I therefore looked for a system which would (1) provide an alarm if there was a loss of fuel pressure at the carbs and (2) provide an alarm when I was low on fuel (4 gallons say).
I am sure that there are many ways to achieve these objectives, but my installation is a Grand Rapids EIS with a fuel pressure sensor which is located between the engine mechanical pump and the carburetors. The pressure alarm is set at 0.5 psi. My fuel filter is an Andair GAS125 mini gascolator and contrary to the experience of others, I have never found more than very minor trash in the bowl. I have no idea why I have seen so little trash and no slime when others have had significant stoppages. I installed the filter under the baggage bay shelf. I also have the fuel flow sensor and totaliser option which gives accurate indication of consumption and when the '4.0 gallons remaining' alarm goes off, I know I need to look for a fuel stop. I have tank level capacitance gauges so I can always cross check.
In 500 hours, I have only had the fuel pressure alarm go off once (apparently due to an air bubble in the system after some fuel hose replacements - the problem cleared when I switched on the electric pump). I have never checked the interval from low fuel pressure alarm and lack of fuel to engine stop but I believe it is approximately 20 seconds; this is quite short but at least it gives a brief warning of impending stop.
Cheers, John
N262WF, mono XS, 912S
Mooresville, North Carolina
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grahamsingleton(at)btinte
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| Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: Fuel supply reliability discussion |
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John & Paddy Wigney wrote:
| Quote: | I am sure that there are many ways to achieve these objectives, but my
installation is a Grand Rapids EIS with a fuel pressure sensor which
is located between the engine mechanical pump and the carburetors.
The pressure alarm is set at 0.5 psi. My fuel filter is an Andair
GAS125 mini gascolator and contrary to the experience of others, I
have never found more than very minor trash in the bowl. I have no
idea why I have seen so little trash and no slime when others have had
significant stoppages. I installed the filter under the baggage bay
shelf. I also have the fuel flow sensor and totaliser option which
gives accurate indication of consumption and when the '4.0 gallons
remaining' alarm goes off, I know I need to look for a fuel stop. I
have tank level capacitance gauges so I can always cross check.
Cheers, John
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John
I think your choice is a wise one, although I would use the GAS 375 for
a 914 installation, the recirculation results in much higher fuel flows
which has been known to block a GAS125 with very fine rust
particles.(from a jerry can) The mesh is 120 micron (from memory) which
is smaller than the mesh in a "Mr Funnel" filter funnel. Both will stop
water.
Andair told me the Rotax specify filter smaller than 100 mu. and 120 is
the nearest available.
Graham
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davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
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| Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:08 am Post subject: Fuel supply reliability discussion |
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John, I would endorse the value of a low fuel pressure warning light. I have
a simple pressure switch set at 3 psi triggering a bright red light in front
of my nose. If I deliberately or inadvertently run the main tank dry it
lights up in time to switch over to reserve without the engine stopping.
I remember also a story of the early 914 company demonstrator having
fuel starvation related rough running due to fuel tank derived gunge in the
gascolator, which cleared well enough to get them home when the second
electric fuel pump was switched on - which suggests that a fuel pressure
alarm system would give reasonable notice of impending filter/gascolator
blockage to allow the extra pump to see you home.
Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ
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