Hope they didn't deviate from the approved JB drawing.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=461056&postcount=5
The location of the gauge is very close to JB's....6" aft of forward edge and 7" in from left edge of tank.
Mitch Garner
This is another example of Van's listening to the customers and responding to the desire of many kit builders to improve an already outstanding product (RV-12). Thanks to all of the decision makers at Van's. I appreciate this very much.
+1
It is a great mod. Now if we can get them to adopt the Bender Baffel for cold country oops.
Then there'd be no major mods but parking brake and the stab tips!
Bob
The pictures look great!
I'm just surprised that there is still no revision to the section 37 instructions on the Van's website. I am heading towards certification and could put the gauge in before that...
A retrofit kit will be available. I installed my Moeler gauge with it.
I like Tony T's mod a lot better. Looks like he used nut plates, rather than just washers and nuts. Makes it easy to R&R without pulling, or opening up the tank.......Tom
In the beginning the site gauge sounded like a good idea. But in actual use it doesn't work very well. Sitting in the pilot seat looking over your shoulder you can not see where the fuel level would be especially if you run premium auto fuel which is clear. Even 100LL is hard to see. However the moeller fuel gauge is very easy to see.I assume (because I don't have the avionics yet) that the Dynon has both a fuel level indicator and a fuel totalizer function. So I fill the tank, reset the totalizer, and visually confirm in the site glass the fuel level.
In the beginning the site gauge sounded like a good idea. But in actual use it doesn't work very well. Sitting in the pilot seat looking over your shoulder you can not see where the fuel level would be especially if you run premium auto fuel which is clear. Even 100LL is hard to see. However the moeller fuel gauge is very easy to see.
I ordered my finish kit a couple months ago and it arrived yesterday, 8/15/13. The location of the gauge is very close to JB's....6" aft of forward edge and 7" in from left edge of tank.
Additionally, the original sight gauge was there but had been covered with aluminum plate on the inside and sealed with proseal.
I can forward photos to anyone wishing to have a look, but can't seem to add them to this post.
Mitch Garner
I like the Moeller gage, and consider it a useful aid during the fueling process ---- BUT, ---- not enough to drain the tank, remove it, open it up, and go through the cutting, drilling, sealing, pressure testing, reinstallation process.
After running an estimated 325 gallons of fuel through N737G, I just don't think it's any big deal. If my wife is around, she gives me a heads-up on the quantity. When I'm by myself - like yesterday - I've got the whole process pretty much down pat, and can run it right up to almost full without any problem, and then squeeze in the little extra to top it off (which the auto gas stations tell you not to do) by just listening at the filler port. I've got the gurgle sound figured out too.
I'm dubious as to the value of checking in-flight. If you have a quantity problem, and it's not going through the engine, then there must be a big leak somewhere. With the tank right behind you, and the lines right under you, I'm a thinking there would be something to tip you off if that was the case.
I DO lament the loss of the sight glass holes however. I have no problem seeing the fuel level - if you do, just shake the airplane a little and you can see the level bounce around.
I agree with Scott, however (you see Scott - we DO agree sometimes....), I firmly believe in visually confirming the fuel level on any airplane - be it a Cessna 172, or a Cherokee, or the thousands of Boeings I've fueled over many years. There have been more than enough fuel exhaustion accidents due to gauging errors, to have made me a believer, and tolerate the doggone fuel running down my arm from a dripstick. Yuk!
Without the sight glass holes, you're totally dependent on two invisible systems - a mechanical gage and a computerized one, both vulnerable to errors - a much less robust system. I like to SEE the gas. Like the movie line "Show me the money" - for me, it's "Show me the gas."
Bob Bogash
N737G