Tony,
> I was wondering if there is any opinion about the Andair Fuel Selector
> Extensions?
I have just installed this on my TRI-GEAR, where the aft part of the center
consol is free inside. If yours also is a tri-gear, my recommendation is
the following (obviously does not apply to mono-wheels):
- Fit the selector handle in a recessed cup made of 3 plys of bid (I used
the lower part of a white wine bottle as the mold), installed 100 mm (4")
aft of the knuckle for the mono's hand brakes (measured to the center of the
box) where the width is sufficient for this cup. In this position, it is
easy to operate the handle (a safety knob must be lifted at the same time as
you turn the handle to get it to "Off", easy to do by one hand), it is easy
to see the position of the handle and it is out of the way since it is
recessed.
- Cut the opening for the cup a little larger than the OD of the cup,
because according to the factory's recommendation you should reinforce this
cut-out with 2 plys of bid going from the underside through the opening (all
around its circumference) and onto the top, abt. 1 inch in under/over. Also
put some extra bid plys under the top along the sides and onto the top and
around the cup (after you have glued it in place with Araldite/Redux).
- I installed the valve on the underside of a cross-bar between the two
center tunnel sides, made of 10 mm foam with two plys of bid all around.
This makes the cross-bar very stiff yet light. I bolted the valve on the
underside for easy removal. In any event, make sure the cross-bar will not
interfere with the rudder cables running along the sides of the tunnel.
- When installing the valve, it must be absolutely square to the extension
tube, unless you opt for the more expensive universal joint extension.
Being careful and using Araldite with flox to bed the valve on the
cross-bar, you should be OK, though. I riveted the top of the extension
tube to the selector handle first, and then inserted (but not yet riveted)
the lower end into the valve for this alignment process and let the valve
just sink into the Araldite/flox bed under its own weight. Grease the
valve's mounting pads first! When cured, make certain 3 times that you have
the selector handle and the valve correctly orientated (I set the handle to
"Off" and checked that I could not blow through any of the valve holes).
Then use Rapid Aaraldite to glue the lower tube end to the valve spindle
insert. When cured, put in the rivets.
- When all is done and correct operation of the valve is verified, now is
the time to empty the bottle used as the mold for the cup!
- Note on the rivets: The instructions that came from Andair specified a
too large drill size for the rivets, you'll see that immediately when you
open the package. By the way, I riveted the top of the tube to the handle
without dismantling the handle - much easier that way (again a deviation
---From the instructions).
- When ordering, specify hose fittings for 8 mm ID hose. These are not
stock items at Andair's (10 and 6 mm are), but they made 8 mm's for me at no
extra charge. These fittings are unique to the valve, you cannot use
ordinary screwed-in fittings.
The valve looks like a very good quality product.
If you - or anyone else - are interested in some photographs of this
installation, let me know off-list.
Regards,
Svein
A225 - now in Norway
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