sbalmos
Well Known Member
Two steps forward, one step back. I now join the ranks of those who have to re-seal the rear baffle. That was a nice constant drip going yesterday, after filling with fuel for the first time. Admittedly, the first time any liquid had been in the tanks since the balloon, and a water, test four years ago when I built them.
So, now I get to remove both tanks off my wings, which are already attached to the plane. Meh. For the bolts that you have to reach over into the next bay over from the inspection plate blindly, it feels like my aileron pushrod is either in the way, or greatly hampers my ability to rotate a wrench. Should I just go ahead and remove the pushrod for now?
Secondly, when I cut the rear baffle access holes, I'm probably going to do one in each bay. When you go to deburr the drilled rivet holes for mounting the access plates, I was going to try and vacuum out as much as possible. But the first pressure test would be another colored water test, which would then slosh out the rest of the loose burrs when I drain the water. Then let the tank dry out for a few days, and then do another test with maybe a gallon or two of avgas, which would probably be discarded also. Does this sound appropriate?
Maybe a third fuel test after they're remounted to the wings, in case the re-bolting flexes something on the baffle? Not sure how to really test that without filling the tanks full again, since the rear baffle in a mounted position is basically "on its side".
So, now I get to remove both tanks off my wings, which are already attached to the plane. Meh. For the bolts that you have to reach over into the next bay over from the inspection plate blindly, it feels like my aileron pushrod is either in the way, or greatly hampers my ability to rotate a wrench. Should I just go ahead and remove the pushrod for now?
Secondly, when I cut the rear baffle access holes, I'm probably going to do one in each bay. When you go to deburr the drilled rivet holes for mounting the access plates, I was going to try and vacuum out as much as possible. But the first pressure test would be another colored water test, which would then slosh out the rest of the loose burrs when I drain the water. Then let the tank dry out for a few days, and then do another test with maybe a gallon or two of avgas, which would probably be discarded also. Does this sound appropriate?
Maybe a third fuel test after they're remounted to the wings, in case the re-bolting flexes something on the baffle? Not sure how to really test that without filling the tanks full again, since the rear baffle in a mounted position is basically "on its side".