Bill_H
Well Known Member
Well, in my mail today I found something interesting. And if you search on the net you can find information, including video and pics, of a full replacement tank system for the 12. Two tubular tanks are placed in each wing (9 feet long) and plumbed together as one single tank. They seem to be supported by the lightening holes with a polymer shield and tab mechanism to prevent lateral movement. Two more gallons capacity. Unusable fuel on the ground (not banked) is about a pint. Existing tank totally removed. Fill points in each wing, near the outboard ends. Quick disconnect fittings in the wing roots - pull the wing out about a foot to do the disconnect. Single low point drain. The claim is that retrofit is easy.
The existing single fuel shutoff valve is retained.
Some unanswered questions:
Difference in weight? Are they baffled? Unusable fuel seems quite low in an unbanked condition. Description of the modification process, i.e. wing skin removal? Hole cutting? Baggage floor removal? ("One day" might be optimistic!) I don't immediately understand the fuel level indication mechanism. Appears to be supported by the rib lightening holes? Structural analysis? If being installed in a plane with the ROTAX, is the existing redundant electrical pump retained, relocated, or replaced? I assume wing removal involves draining the system from the single low point? Is that also a sump point? Not sure I care for the Tygon tubing simply pressed onto barb fittings in fuel vent service. Are the filling caps vented? A schematic diagram would be really helpful.
The existing single fuel shutoff valve is retained.
Some unanswered questions:
Difference in weight? Are they baffled? Unusable fuel seems quite low in an unbanked condition. Description of the modification process, i.e. wing skin removal? Hole cutting? Baggage floor removal? ("One day" might be optimistic!) I don't immediately understand the fuel level indication mechanism. Appears to be supported by the rib lightening holes? Structural analysis? If being installed in a plane with the ROTAX, is the existing redundant electrical pump retained, relocated, or replaced? I assume wing removal involves draining the system from the single low point? Is that also a sump point? Not sure I care for the Tygon tubing simply pressed onto barb fittings in fuel vent service. Are the filling caps vented? A schematic diagram would be really helpful.
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