REFLECTOR: Leak testing

[Laurence Coen]

I had trouble with the balloon method because I couldn't find a balloon that didn't leak.  20" to 30" should be fine and see if it holds pressure.  Just remember that changes in temperature or barometer can run the pressure up or down.

Larry Coen
N136LC


From: nmflyer1 at aol.com 
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 9:55 AM
To: jerry at jlbent.com ; reflector at tvbf.org 
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Leak testing


Jerry,  


 I did the old balloon test. Just to make sure I had a little pressure, I put one big party balloon inside another, then pumped them up with my air compressor.  I rubber-banded them onto the fuel lines then added some tape. Spray the connection with soapy water to check for leaks in the attachment. 


This method worked for me as I found two rather small leaks in the outboard corner near the front of the bulkhead. 


There is probably a fancier method of doing it, but this seemed to work. 


 Kurt 





-----Original Message-----
From: jerry at jlbent.com
To: Velocity Aicraft Owners and Builder list <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Thu, Jul 7, 2011 8:49 am
Subject: REFLECTOR: Leak testing


To the Collective:

I am ready to leak test my tanks and was wondering what pressure is appropriate.  Obviously, too much is distructive, so I was wonder what others have used.  I see that the total height of the fuel from the bottom of the sump to the top of the strake is about 20 inches. Since the wt. of fuel is about 3/4 of water, to just meet the static fuel pressure would seem to be about 15".  I have a water column that I use to make the pressure anything up to about 70 inches of water.  So how far above the expected 20" of fuel should I test?  

Thoughts? 


Jerry Brainard
Jerry at JLBEnt.com
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