Vansconvert
Well Known Member
For anyone who has extended range fuel tanks, how are they working out for you? Would you do it again? If they are totally empty, are aerobatics ok?
For anyone who has extended range fuel tanks, how are they working out for you? Would you do it again? If they are totally empty, are aerobatics ok?
I've got the SafeAir1 tanks in my 6. 4 1/2 gallons per side, gravity feed into main tanks. Great for long cross countries and tanking up on cheap fuel. Problem free for 500 hours.
RE: "Manually activated electric fuel pumps to move the fuel when the inboard tanks have enough capacity. (Turning on the pumps too soon results in pumping your fuel out the vent line.)" : Here's something I never considered, but one of my friends who's a retired research scientist *did* think consider, and tested. If you're pumping fuel into one of the 'main' tanks with standard fuel venting, the real danger isn't pumping fuel overboard; it's over-pressurizing the tank. As long as it's just air exiting the vent, you're fine, but when fuel hits it, pressure can rise to over 5 psi if you're using a high rate pump. The restriction of 5-6 feet of 3/16" line won't flow fuel fast enough to keep pressure from rising.
FWIW, if you wet the leading edges for extra capacity, you can add quite a bit of fuel 10-15 gal/side) for very little hardware weight gain (not much over 1 lb per side).
Charlie
Try http://hotelwhiskeyaviation.com/
These may be the same?
I'm reading all kinds of ideas for permanent aux fuel tanks. In the tips, drop tanks that don't drop, Hotel Whiskey.....
I don't see where anyone removed the right seat, securely mounted a 10-12 gallon bottom feed tank inside the cockpit, connected it to the vans supplied fuel selector and vented it to the exterior. Im considering this and would like to hear comments on this wisdom or lack thereof. An extra hour is all I need. Simple install and removable later.
I want to fly this 21 gallon per side RV7A from NE Ohio to Tampa with one fuel stop and do it COMFORTABLY. I flight plan 10 gallons per hour but believe the burn is less with my YIO-360-M1B. Probably can do it now but both arrivals will not leave any margin for error.
Thanks
Tim
Here you go - 7.5 gallon tanks that can fit behind either seat in the 7/9 and extend about 3" into the baggage compartment. There's 2 hours of range for you without removing the passenger seat.
https://www.smoke-system-helper.com/tanks-only
This is a good start and might work....was hoping to do a minimum of 10 gallons and not add to aft CG
This is a good start and might work....was hoping to do a minimum of 10 gallons and not add to aft CG
Here you go - 7.5 gallon tanks that can fit behind either seat in the 7/9 and extend about 3" into the baggage compartment. There's 2 hours of range for you without removing the passenger seat.
https://www.smoke-system-helper.com/tanks-only
interesting stuff here...
James, what is the weight of those 2 7.5G tanks?
How are they secured?
Vented outside, flex line to the bottom or side fuse?
Since I don?t have a spare port on my fuel selector, the plan is to T into the line from the right Wing tank. Gravity + suction should alleviate the need for an additional pump?
Thanks
interesting stuff here...
James, what is the weight of those 2 7.5G tanks?
How are they secured?
Vented outside, flex line to the bottom or side fuse?
Since I don?t have a spare port on my fuel selector, the plan is to T into the line from the right Wing tank. Gravity + suction should alleviate the need for an additional pump?
Thanks
I have an Andair duplex selector, so no way to add a line here... and the reason I will have to Tee into an existing line.
Now whatever system I install will of course have a tap. Once say the right tank would be near empty, I would open said tap to xfer the fuel in that tank, whilst feeding the engine with the other one.
Not sure gravity would suffice for the transfer though...
So from reading here it sounds like there might be a way that I could use my 4.25 gal smoke tank as an occasional fuel tank. I have the Van's fuel valve, so an extra port.
I would love to have that little extra fuel for those 1200 mile trips that usually require two fuel stops. Just wonder if it's a safe install and if it can be easily returned to smoke when needed.
What I've read was dedicated fuel rather than interchangeable to fuel then to smoke.
Cathy