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Re: Gascolator

Subject: Re: Gascolator
From: Nigel Charles <72016.3721@compuserve.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 09:43:23
Message text written by INTERNET:DJA727@aol.com
>The first one can be one of those separator funnels that stop water and 
> dirt getting into the tank. (ACS) The second could be an Andair.
Reliable, 
> also blocks water but won't easily get blocked, unless there is a large 
> build up of debris, which would block any filter system.
> 
> I don't believe 2 gascolators is a good idea because the one on the
right, 
> the reserve, will tend to get any rubbish poured into the tank, but also 
> you would need to drain the tank or fit extra stop cocks to be able to 
> check the bowls if any contamination is found during drain checks.
> 
> If this isn't logical please tell us?
> OK - here is what I am thinking, for what it is worth.  The idea for 2 
> gascolators is that if there is significant contamination in the fuel (I 
> will additionally filter fuel being added to the tank -- especially
mogas) 
> the gascolator can be plugged stopping the fuel flow with associated 
> problems. If there is one gascolator per tank -- i.e., reserve and main
-- 
> then if one becomes plugged, the alternate tank would be free to flow 
> enough to get the airplane on the ground. If I need to add a shut off
valve 
> prior to each gascolator, that may be worth it. I never like the idea of
a 
> single failure point stopping the engine, unless it is required (like the

> crank shaft for example). Adding a shut off valve does increase the
chances 
> of a fuel leak, but I think it may be worth the risk. I am still in the 
> brainstorming phase of this and have barely written things down. At some 
> point, I will diagram this all out, but for now it seems I would have 2 
> separate circuits for fuel. They would both be the same. First fuel tank 
> outlet, then shutoff valve, then gascolator and then off to the fuel 
> selector valve. From the fuel selector valve would be the 2 inline
electric 
> fuel pumps each powered by a separate alternator from the 914 engine.
This 
> idea will be refined as time goes on -- to be sure.

<


All this discussion about single failures and solutions seems to be
drifting towards my parallel fuel system which incidently seems to be
working fine. I intend to use it for a whole year before I can recommend it
to be sure that there are no unforeseen problems.

Nigel Charles


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