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sarg314(at)gmail.com
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 Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:35 am Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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I have the Princeton fuel level sensors and am approaching first flight of my 6A. I'm having trouble figuring out how to calibrate these things before the first flight. The problem is you have to fill the tank completely. The first flight shouldn't be done with full tanks, so I have to fill them and then empty them before I fly.Â
The only thing I can think of is to install a petcock kind of valve in place of the normal tank fuel drain valve and get four 5gal. gas cans to drain the fuel into. Fill the left tank and calibrate it, then drain the fuel out, re-install the normal drain valve and pour it into the right tank and calibrate that and then drain the fuel out of it and re-install the drain valve.
Is there any better way? I assume I have to have calibrated (i.e. functioning) fuel gauges in order to make the first flight, yes?
--
Tom Sargent
[quote][b]
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Bret Smith
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 178
Location: Mineral Bluff, GA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:56 pm Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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That's how I did mine.
Bret Smith
RV-9A N16BL
Blue Ridge, GA
www.FlightInnovations.com
[quote] ---
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Bret Smith
RV-9A (Emp) |
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pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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IMHO, you should calibrate the zero (empty) point, put the amount of
fuel you're comfortable with and do your first flight. When you're
comfortable with putting full fuel in it, do so and calibrate the full
tank.
My first flight in my Pitts was an hour. I guess I was too afraid of
the landing <G> and had plenty of fuel.
Estimate your first flight time, and double the fuel needed for that
time .... and when your time is up .... be on the ground.
Linn
thomas sargent wrote:
| Quote: | I have the Princeton fuel level sensors and am approaching first flight
of my 6A. I'm having trouble figuring out how to calibrate these things
before the first flight. The problem is you have to fill the tank
completely. The first flight shouldn't be done with full tanks, so I
have to fill them and then empty them before I fly.
The only thing I can think of is to install a petcock kind of valve in
place of the normal tank fuel drain valve and get four 5gal. gas cans
to drain the fuel into. Fill the left tank and calibrate it, then drain
the fuel out, re-install the normal drain valve and pour it into the
right tank and calibrate that and then drain the fuel out of it and
re-install the drain valve.
Is there any better way? I assume I have to have calibrated (i.e.
functioning) fuel gauges in order to make the first flight, yes?
--
Tom Sargent
*
*
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newtech
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:12 am Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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On 02/23/2010 11:25 AM, thomas sargent wrote:
| Quote: | I have the Princeton fuel level sensors and am approaching first
flight of my 6A. I'm having trouble figuring out how to calibrate
these things before the first flight. The problem is you have to fill
the tank completely. The first flight shouldn't be done with full
tanks, so I have to fill them and then empty them before I fly.
I have had to calibrate mine several times due to replaced controllers.
|
With the electric fuel pump off I just disconnected the fuel line to the
carburetor and put the end into a 5 gallon fuel can. Then turned on the
fuel pump to fill the can and turned it off to change cans. Just be
sure to ground the fuel can to the aircraft before turning on the fuel
pump. On my plane no fuel leaked out as long as the electric fuel pump
was off.
This may or may not be a safe method to use. As the manufacturer of
your airplane you must determine the safe maintenance practices that are
appropriate on your airplane. I have done that on mine and this is the
procedure I use.
Steve Eberhart
RV-7A, O-360 A1A, Catto 3 blade, basic 4 steam gauge VFR panel, Garmin
696 and Icom A210. FLYING since June 24, 2009
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Steve Eberhart
RV-7A, O-360-A1A, Cato 3 blade, Almost flying |
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carl.froehlich(at)verizon
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| Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:08 am Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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Recommend a thorough fuel tank and fuel line flush as part of this process.
Disconnect the fuel hose at the firewall and connect a temporary hose, with
a clear in line fuel filter, such that you are pumping fuel from the tank
through all your fuel lines and then to a series of 5 gallon fuel cans.
Make sure you first remove whatever you are using for a fuel filter. You
want all the junk collected in the cheap in line filter you will put in the
temporary hose. You will be amazed at the stuff coming out of your brand
new fuel tanks and fuel lines.
For the calibration, level the plane and add one gallon at a time to one
tank. Pump this out to the 5 gal cans via the temporary line. You now have
the data you need to:
1. Measure fuel tank volume
2. Measure useable fuel
3. Calibrate your fuel level indication (take data at each gallon add)
4. Measure fuel flow rate (to make sure you will be pumping enough fuel to
the engine)
Now repeat the process using the fuel in the 5 gallon cans to fill the other
tank. Repeat the flushing process on both tanks until you no longer collect
trash in the clear in line fuel filter. Once done, remember to reinstall
your permanent fuel filter.
Carl Froehlich
RV-8A (525 hrs)
RV-10 (system install)
--
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Greg Green
Joined: 20 May 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:32 pm Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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In addition to this, it would be a good idea to do the fuel-flow test that is mandated by the Canadian government for experimentals in canada. The upshot is that you put the aircraft in a attitude somewhat greater than the maximum climb attitude, about 20 degrees nose-high for RV's, then measure the fuel flow at the engine for each tank. This fuel-flow should be 150% of maximum required of engine for a gravity-feed system, and 125% of maximum for a fuel-pump system.
Jack Dueck wrote an article "Feul-flow and Unusable Fuel Tests for your Homebuilt", but I can't find a link on the internet to it. I got a copy of it in the excellent EAA seminars.
The article demonstrates the test for an RV-9A. The carburetor inlet fitting is attached to the fuel line, and then a hose attached to the fitting. Then a 5 gallon fuel container is weighed to get the empty weight, and the hose from the fitting is placed in it. Add 2 gallons to a tank. Run the fuel-pump with the plane in 20 degree climb attitude until the tank is empty (timing this also), then weigh the container which gives you amount of fuel, plus a rate which can be calculated from the time required to pump the weight of fuel. It also gives you the unusable fuel in each tank, ie the amount of the 2 gallons dumped in that didn't make it to the container during the test.
On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 11:05 AM, Carl Froehlich <carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net (carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net)> wrote:
[quote] --> RV-List message posted by: "Carl Froehlich" <carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net (carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net)>
Recommend a thorough fuel tank and fuel line flush as part of this process.
Disconnect the fuel hose at the firewall and connect a temporary hose, with
a clear in line fuel filter, such that you are pumping fuel from the tank
through all your fuel lines and then to a series of 5 gallon fuel cans.
Make sure you first remove whatever you are using for a fuel filter. You
want all the junk collected in the cheap in line filter you will put in the
temporary hose. You will be amazed at the stuff coming out of your brand
new fuel tanks and fuel lines.
For the calibration, level the plane and add one gallon at a time to one
tank. Pump this out to the 5 gal cans via the temporary line. You now have
the data you need to:
1. Measure fuel tank volume
2. Measure useable fuel
3. Calibrate your fuel level indication (take data at each gallon add)
4. Measure fuel flow rate (to make sure you will be pumping enough fuel to
the engine)
Now repeat the process using the fuel in the 5 gallon cans to fill the other
tank. Repeat the flushing process on both tanks until you no longer collect
trash in the clear in line fuel filter. Once done, remember to reinstall
your permanent fuel filter.
Carl Froehlich
RV-8A (525 hrs)
RV-10 (system install)
--
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bobkuc(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:02 pm Post subject: calibrating capacitive sensors |
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At the same time, you might also consider doing a fuel stick. That way you could use it to check fuel levels during the preflight.
On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 4:30 PM, Greg Green <gpgreen(at)gmail.com (gpgreen(at)gmail.com)> wrote:
[quote]In addition to this, it would be a good idea to do the fuel-flow test that is mandated by the Canadian government for experimentals in canada. The upshot is that you put the aircraft in a attitude somewhat greater than the maximum climb attitude, about 20 degrees nose-high for RV's, then measure the fuel flow at the engine for each tank. This fuel-flow should be 150% of maximum required of engine for a gravity-feed system, and 125% of maximum for a fuel-pump system.
Jack Dueck wrote an article "Feul-flow and Unusable Fuel Tests for your Homebuilt", but I can't find a link on the internet to it. I got a copy of it in the excellent EAA seminars.
The article demonstrates the test for an RV-9A. The carburetor inlet fitting is attached to the fuel line, and then a hose attached to the fitting. Then a 5 gallon fuel container is weighed to get the empty weight, and the hose from the fitting is placed in it. Add 2 gallons to a tank. Run the fuel-pump with the plane in 20 degree climb attitude until the tank is empty (timing this also), then weigh the container which gives you amount of fuel, plus a rate which can be calculated from the time required to pump the weight of fuel. It also gives you the unusable fuel in each tank, ie the amount of the 2 gallons dumped in that didn't make it to the container during the test.
On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 11:05 AM, Carl Froehlich <carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net (carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net)> wrote:
[quote] --> RV-List message posted by: "Carl Froehlich" <carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net (carl.froehlich(at)verizon.net)>
Recommend a thorough fuel tank and fuel line flush as part of this process.
Disconnect the fuel hose at the firewall and connect a temporary hose, with
a clear in line fuel filter, such that you are pumping fuel from the tank
through all your fuel lines and then to a series of 5 gallon fuel cans.
Make sure you first remove whatever you are using for a fuel filter. You
want all the junk collected in the cheap in line filter you will put in the
temporary hose. You will be amazed at the stuff coming out of your brand
new fuel tanks and fuel lines.
For the calibration, level the plane and add one gallon at a time to one
tank. Pump this out to the 5 gal cans via the temporary line. You now have
the data you need to:
1. Measure fuel tank volume
2. Measure useable fuel
3. Calibrate your fuel level indication (take data at each gallon add)
4. Measure fuel flow rate (to make sure you will be pumping enough fuel to
the engine)
Now repeat the process using the fuel in the 5 gallon cans to fill the other
tank. Repeat the flushing process on both tanks until you no longer collect
trash in the clear in line fuel filter. Once done, remember to reinstall
your permanent fuel filter.
Carl Froehlich
RV-8A (525 hrs)
RV-10 (system install)
--
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List |
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