Dave,
The fuel drain mod appears to be pretty much what you are intending with the
exception of extension tubes (like those on the vent boss) on the 1/8 NPT
ports to get to the lowest part of the tank. Given the variations in tank
shape and mounting position, I'm not sure this is going to achieve much --
as far as I can calculate the bottom of my tank will be pretty much
horizontal in the normal ground attitude. I have been waiting for over two
months for the mod from Europa (package appears to have gone astray) and am
on the verge of cancelling the order and doing exactly what you describe.
For what it's worth. I'm planning the following:
o drains as above with a T connector for the sight gauge take off
o hose from the tank outlets to the selector valve, 3003-0 solid
aluminium tube for the remainder
o valve mounted in its normal position (its reasonably accessible and
isn't intended to get much use)
o Andair mini gascolator and Facet pump mounted below the baggage bay
with a third drain from the gascolator bowl
o All components electrically bonded to a stud near the filler
Recent reports have described the standard sight gauge as "useless" so I
have positioned it on the seat-back bulkhead between the seats and it will
connect to the main tank vent via another T connector. I am hoping that the
position of the gauge will minimse bogus readings due to attitude and
acceleration and that a single common vent will minimise errors due to
pressure differentials.
I have read the recent correspondence on filters and find Graham Singleton's
recent argument for a single gascolator and drain pretty convincing.
Europa's glass-bodied filters in the seat pans with no stop valve between
them and the tank can best be described as an ugly kludge.
Best regards,
Nick
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Fuel system changes
I am getting ready to install the fuel tank and am looking at changes to the
system. As a new builder, I am not 100% familiar with some of the things
mentioned on the internet. Specifically, the fuel drain mod I have seen
mentioned is one of those things. Here is what I am planning to do:
On the 1/8 inch threaded holes on the output fittings from the tank, I will
install a fitting to a fuel hose running to a quick drain valve for each
tank - reserve and main.
I will install a short section of hose out of the output fittings, then to
an adapter fitting to transition to solid aluminum lines to the selector
valve and to the firewall.
Since I will use both 1/8 inch feemale holes on the output fittings, (F09C)
I will not have the clear tube for fuel level check. I will instead use a
gage with a possible flexible dip stick for a gut check on the fuel level.
I am thinking that I might put in 2 gascolators, but after reading other's
stories I would install one Andair gascolator after the fuel selector valve.
The selector valve would probably get mounted in a more convenient place --
like on the top of the center console.
These are ramblings of a new builder. I like to be able to drain fuel from
the lowest point of the tank -- unlike my Twin Comanche which drains the
lowest point of the fuel system. With this setup, both tanks can be drained
directly with the port for the drain valve being at the low point of the
output valve.
Back to work,
Dave
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