Wing fuel tank

[CHARLES DEBOER]

couple more pics.

[Bob S.]

Looks plenty sturdy! You will be surprised that the tank will NOT expand more than 1/8" when filled!That is a very sturdy tank!! Put some felt pads between the tank and any wood that touches to keep from abrasion on the wood! And clamp it down so it doesn't move fore-aft and side to side!

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Thanks.  Here is a shot of how I anchored it down.  You can't see it very well but I do have some padding under the tank and all of the contact points of the hold downs and the sides.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

I FORGOT ABOUT A FUEL LEVEL GUAGE!!!  ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS?  What are you guys using to check fuel level?

[Bob S.]

I left the wing uncovered on the end and left the gap seal open on the bottom so I can see up thru the gap at the side of the tank. It is translucent enough that you can get a good idea how much fuel is in it. I eventually put a strip if thin plexi on the gap to discourage the mud-daubers from entry.

[leshoman]

On my Legal Eagle Ultralight, yellow one, i installed a tee in line just after it leaves tank, used a clear fuel line and run it to end of wing and turned up into the center wing area above me then elbowed up and placed a vent above the center alum. covering.  I do not have the lower section covered between front wing mounting and rear wing mounting.  It is easy to see, if you wanted to cover the center area a piece of thing plexiglass or polycarbonate could be used so it can be seen thru.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Anyone see if I have created a problem for myself with this version of Les Holman's suggestion?  I kept the sight gage of clear gas line inside the wing and ran off a tee at the rear of the wing forward and up between ribs #1 & 2 through the top of the wing.  The gas cap has a built in vent that prevents a vacuum from being created inside the tank.  (see attached photos)  I have a piece of lexan to cover the opening which will allow me to see the fuel level and is removable incase I need to replace the fuel line.  I'll have to use lexan for the bottom wing gap cover also.

[Tom H]

Charles, it looks like the clear tube that goes vertical through the top of the wing is plugged.  If you want to use it as a fuel level indicator, the top of that tube will have to be vented to indicate accurately.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Yes, it is plugged with a screw temporarily to keep bugs out.  I'll have to put one of those remove before flight tags on it.
Other than that would you have any more tips?
How far does the fuel line need to drop while traversing the cabin area?

[Dan_]

Yes, it is plugged with a screw temporarily to keep bugs out.  I'll have to put one of those remove before flight tags on it.
Other than that would you have any more tips?

Charles,
You will perhaps want to plumb that line back to the filler neck, or somewhere near the top of the tank.  

If you just unplug it each time and leave it sticking up like it is now,  your fuel will be at risk for being pumped overboard by the pressure in the tank.  Possibly by siphoning as well...

Someone else will surely chime in on the necessary drop for the main fuel line.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

You will perhaps want to plumb that line back to the filler neck, or somewhere near the top of the tank. If you just unplug it each time and leave it sticking up like it is now, your fuel will be at risk for being pumped overboard by the pressure in the tank. Possibly by siphoning as well...Someone else will surely chime in on the necessary drop for the main fuel line.

Do you mean drill a hole into the filler neck?  Where would the pressure come from?

I had guessed that there might be siphoning.  That was my reason for posting to get some feed back and a solution.  With a roto-molded tank the only way to create a return to the tank would be to drill a hole near the top of the tank.  Possibly just leave it inside the wing without a return to the tank?  Might that work?

[leshoman]

Charles. If you are going to be on rio vista Saturday you can take a look at how I did it on the yellow one. I am flying it up tomorrow

[Dan_]

Do you mean drill a hole into the filler neck?  Where would the pressure come from?
Possibly just leave it inside the wing without a return to the tank?  Might that work?

Unless the plans have changed since I have seen them,  the tank is designed to have a vent in the cap that faces forward to pressurize the tank via the slipstream.

Yes drill the neck and install a barbed fitting.  Else drill the top of the tank and install the same.

Quicksilvers have rotomolded tanks with this type of self sealing fitting, and they are available in 90 degree...

With pressure in the tank you would not want that line just hanging out inside the wing.

Without pressure in the tank, that line drop distance is going to be that much more critical...

Les will get you "plumbed-up" at the fly-in...

[Bob S.]

I would suggest you keep the open end of your 'guage tube' below the surface of the wing (inside) or the slipstream of air over the wing will siphon fuel out!  It would be best if you return it to the top of the tank...

[Dan_]

Do you mean drill a hole into the filler neck?  Where would the pressure come from?
Possibly just leave it inside the wing without a return to the tank?  Might that work?

Unless the plans have changed since I have seen them,  the tank is designed to have a vent in the cap that faces forward to pressurize the tank via the slipstream.

Attached is a Tony Bingelis article...