vshimsl(at)live.com
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 Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject: Van's Float type fuel indicator sensor bending accuracy |
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I have the standard float type from Van’s.
Following the bending instructions and Dynon D-180 cal procedure, my floats top out at about 16+ gallons (Dynon d-180 cal) and bottom with roughly 2 gallons remaining. I have no problem with that.
On the ground I use visual inspection and the fuel flow sensor to gauge tank quantity. In the air I add in the fuel level indications; I have a tail dragger.
On the ground a tail dragger fuel level indication is useless but in the air I rely on it as the last word even with the inaccuracies and erroneous deflections caused by the rigors of flight. If you are getting down around 7 gallons in each tank, you have (at) 1.5 hours left and are (prudently) looking for a place to fill up.
Assuming full tanks, my bladder goes yellow at 20 gal then red at 15; my brain goes yellow at 10, then red at 8; finally, my Dynon goes yellow at 7 (each tank) and red at 5.
My fuel flow sensor (again from Dynon) has been surprisingly accurate. Any inaccuracy has been caused by filling the tanks too fast not allowing time for the fuel to settle past the baffles. In other words you have to fill and then wait for the gas to settle a couple of times else you won’t really have full tanks. The fuel flow sensor won’t catch this (you tell it when you add gas), but the float indicator will, starting at (at) 15 gals each tank.
So due to the nature of flight, regulations and safety, the question should not be “Are my fuel level indicators accurate?” The question should be “Are my fuel level indicators accurate enough?”
Regards,
Vince H.
RV-8 N8432 57 hours
From: owner-rv8-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv8-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Terry Watson
Sent: June 09, 2010 10:33 AM
To: rv8-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: RE: Re: Replacing Fuel Level Senders
Stan,
Isn’t there a cross-feed problem with a ‘both’ fuel selector on a low wing plane like an RV? Did you find a way to deal with that?
Terry
From: owner-rv8-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv8-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Speedy11(at)aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 9:15 AM
To: rv8-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: Replacing Fuel Level Senders
Matt,
Too bad you couldn't have removed them earlier. Well, I'm in the same boat. And I've been thinking about removing mine also.
I haven't done it, but I believe you will be able to remove the old probes and install the float type without removing the tanks. I'm basing this guesstimate on eyeball, but my eyeball is often correct.
My Princeton fuel probes are absolutely worthless. I recommend anyone considering buying them to consider something else - anything else.
I'm using timing and fuel flow to determine my fuel tank levels - however I have an advantage with a "Both" selection on my fuel selector.
I, for one, will be awaiting your report on how the removal/replacement went.
Stan Sutterfield
| Quote: |
Well, okay, so I've resigned myself to replacing my Princeton capacitance fuel
level probes with the standard S&W float probea from Van's. Has anyone replaced
these without removing the wing or the fuel tank from the airplane? Basically
just doing it from underneath the airplane through the gap afforded by the
fuselage-to-wing fairing? Is this even possible?
I know that it won't be possible to remove the Princeton units without destroying
them, but can the S&W probes be installed? If I can do it without pulling
the fuel tanks or wings off, then I might just tackle this sooner than later.
But if the tanks have to come off, then I might procrastinate more and enjoy
the great flying weather. That being said, I'm going in for paint in either August
or October and it has to be complete before then either way.
Arg, why couldn't those Princeton probes just work? Geeze, how much do you have
to spend to get a product that works. How frustrating.
So, how accurate are the bending dimensions on the Van's plans for the S&W float
arms? I've got no way to test or trial fit these units so its a one-shot deal.
I've already pulled the probes out once, I definitely don't want to do this
again! http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV8-List http://forums.matronics.com http://www.matronics.com/contribution |
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