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4-tank fuel flow configuration question

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lgold(at)quantum-associat
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

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lgold(at)quantum-associat
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

This is my  first email on the Zenith-list. I am building a 701 from a kit I  bought from the original purchaser. This kit came with four  10-gallon wing tanks but without a main tank. Since the only  plane I ever built had a single tank, I could use some  advice regarding the fuel flow configuration.

  

 My initial idea (please advise)  is to connect the 4 tanks to the Rotax 912S as shown in the attachment. I plan to use heavy 1/4 fuel  line and don't plan to add a return flow line unless you feel it is needed.  I also plan to put an auxiliary 4-PSI Facet electric fuel pump in-line between  the engine and the right-left fuel selector switch. All the tanks will have fuel  level gauges. The two wing tank selectors would be located on either  side of the cockpit near the wing roots and the right-left selector  would be on the instrument panel. 

 

 I know that with  this config I have to keep tabs on three selector positions and the fuel levels  in at least two tanks. Controlling flow in this manner seems logical since I  will normally fly using only the inboard tanks and want to keep the  outboard tanks dry (unless I am on long flights).  I suspect that its  best to fly with fuel flowing from tanks on both side at the same  time to keep fuel levels the same in both wings.. but I could use  advice about this.

  

 Does this configuration work? Your  comments would be helpful.

  

 Regards,

Les Goldner

 Kit S/N 5298 

 Progress to date: One wing and tail  completed.

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zodierocket(at)hsfx.ca
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Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:47 am Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Les, if your Canadian then your fuel lines must be 3/8’s in size.   

     

cdngoose  

  

-----Original Message-----

 From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Les Goldner

 Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 2:51 AM

 To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: FW: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question  

     

This is my first email on the Zenith-list. I am building a 701 from a kit I bought from the original purchaser. This kit came with four 10-gallon wing tanks but without a main tank. Since the only plane I ever built had a single tank, I could use some advice regarding the fuel flow configuration.  

    

   

    

My initial idea (please advise) is to connect the 4 tanks to the Rotax 912S as shown in the attachment. I plan to use heavy 1/4 fuel line and don't plan to add a return flow line unless you feel it is needed. I also plan to put an auxiliary 4-PSI Facet electric fuel pump in-line between the engine and the right-left fuel selector switch. All the tanks will have fuel level gauges. The two wing tank selectors would be located on either side of the cockpit near the wing roots and the right-left selector would be on the instrument panel.   

  

I know that with this config I have to keep tabs on three selector positions and the fuel levels in at least two tanks. Controlling flow in this manner seems logical since I will normally fly using only the inboard tanks and want to keep the outboard tanks dry (unless I am on long flights).  I suspect that its best to fly with fuel flowing from tanks on both side at the same time to keep fuel levels the same in both wings.. but I could use advice about this.  

   

Does this configuration work? Your comments would be helpful.  

   

Regards,

 Les Goldner  

Kit S/N 5298   

Progress to date: One wing and tail completed.   

     

  

--

 8/25/2006

    

  

  

--

 8/25/2006

     [quote][b]

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sjh040945

Joined: 21 Aug 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Overland Park, KS

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:04 am Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Les,

  

 I purchased a complete kit with auxiliary wing  tanks.  The plans I have (7-6412, with section on Auxiliary Tanks) indicate  the outside tanks(auxiliary) are connected using a "T", the inside tanks (main)  are connected by a "T", and there is a switch to pick main, auxiliary, or  none.  I likewise have 4 fuel level indicators.  Do you have  top-mounted fuel level senders on your auxiliary tanks?  I would be  interested in hearing how you managed to get the sending unit to clear the  top-skin.  Likewise I would be interested in seeing responses to the need  for electric fuel pump....  

  

 At times having just one switch seems to be a  sufficient challenge while flying (1971 Piper Cherokee 140) with just left and  right tanks.  Having the added complexity of 3 switches - all needing to be  in proper position - might be a bit much (IMHO).

  

 Hope it helps,

 Sam Hutcheson

 Kit S/N 7-6412

 Rudder, Elevator, Stabilizer, Wings, Flaperons,  Slats, working on Rear Fuselage.

 [quote]   ---

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lrm(at)skyhawg.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:00 am Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Why don't you look at how I did mine?  http://www.skyhawg.com/fuelsystem.html.   It is straight forward and simple.  I don't like a fuel selector  switch.  There has been lots and lots of accidents because of selector  switches where the pilot thought he/she was switching tanks when in fact it was  accidentally moved to the off position.  I don't think the switch itself  should have an off position.  Turning off the fuel should be a separate  deliberate function.  If one insist on a selector switch with an off  position, then make sure it is visible.  My setup may not be totally idiot  proof, but close.

  

 On another note, wondering why I haven't flown  yet?  Well first I passed my airworthiness inspection with flying colors a  couple weeks ago.  Not a single discrepancy.  Then I started to  taxiing around on my field.  One of the plastic fuel tanks started to leak,  then another.  I am now building four new fiberglass tanks, will be done  today.  The black cloud continued.  Last week we started to program  the EFIS (Dynon D10).  It didn't function right, so it should be at the  factory today for repairs.  I am down for at least another two weeks.   Other than that the test pilot was really impressed with the ground  handling.  The acceleration is great, front wheel was off the ground in 20'  or less.  I wouldn't let him take it up because I don't have insurance, and  now it appears I can't get any.  So when I get everything fixed, it's up up  and away insurance or not.  As soon as it flies, I will post the numbers on  my site. 

  

 Larry, N1345L, www.skyhawg.com

 [quote]   ---

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lgold(at)quantum-associat
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:10 am Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Sam,

  

 I will try to  answer your question about the top-mounted fuel level sensors.  

  

 I purchased some  5/16"x5/8" aluminum "stringer" excursions from Spruce (P/N 03-48900)  and sat them over the tank perpendicular to the ribs (attached with "L"s  just behind the the fuel sender top plate. This prevents the tank from getting  closer than 5/8" to top skin. In addition, I applied  liquid electrical tape (Spruce # 09-42565) on top of the cut-down electrical  contact on the sender. No chance of the unit shorting out this  way!

  

 I also cut an  access hole on top of the wing to get to the sender should it need repair, but  this is a different story.

 Les

 Kit 7-5298 

 [quote]   --

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RURUNY(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:33 pm Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Here is a link to some pics of the 701 2 tank sender access. Simple  cork sheet cut into rings(3 each) used to keep the skin or access cover off  the top of the tank. Used contact cement to glue them together and to tank. One  was glued to the doubler with nutplates. If skin is ever de-riveted there is no  glue between the tank and doubler cork. The sender top can never reach the  access cover using these.

  http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CZsWbRuxZMNm&notag=1



  

 I have 4 lines comming down from the 4 tanks to behind the pilot seat. 2  gascolaters(Zenith box type) are mounted on a doubler plate on either side  of the flap control arm. The one mounted on the left is for the inboard left and  right tanks, the one on the right is for the outboard left and right tanks.  There is drain to check for water at each of these. It is 1/4 fuel hose from  each tank. Just before the gascolater is a small clear plastic brass filter  from wicks for each tank. The output from the gascolaters (now 2 lines) are 5/16  fuel hose to a selector on the left side floor in front of the seat.  Labeled    off- inboard- outboard. 5/16 line exits this selector  and continues up the left side to a flow sensor behind the rudders, exits the  right side of firewall to an ACS gascolater. 5/16 fuel line covered in  heatshield out of the gascolater to the

 912 fuel pump input which is a 5/16 fitting. Output of fuel pump is back to  1/4 inch line, this goes to a brass hose T  and then on to each carb. This  is a stock setup except for the 5/16 line from the gascolaters on and per advice  of Jim Greenough in Portland Oregon, the use 

 of AN842 brass right angle fittings with 1/8 NPT from Spruce to fit the  gascolaters behind the seat for the 1/4 inch line from the tanks. It wouldn't  work with the the straight hose nipples provided by zenith, you could not fit  both gascolaters behind the seat.

  

 Hope this helps

  

 Brian

  

  [quote][b]

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Doug Garrou

Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Richmond, VA, USA

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:09 am Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Larry:



What on earth?!?  What insurers did you talk to and what were the reasons you were given?  



After my brother got insurance to drive, I figured it was possible to insure anything....  



Good luck with the test flight - remember it flies because of physics, not underwriting! 



Doug Garrou

Project801

www.garrou.com



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lrm(at)skyhawg.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:11 pm Post subject: 4-tank fuel flow configuration question

Falcon was one, the other slips my mind.  Same reason, non-approved engine. 

The don't like Harleys.  Only millions of them out there, just not in 

airoplanes.  Larry

---

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