REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges

[Dennis Martin]

I followed Jim Agnew's idea with LED lights behind the fuel gauge. (See
attached photo). Makes it very easy to see fuel levels. Here are a few
details about my install:

1. Install power line for the LEDs. I'll try to find the web site where I
bought them if you're interested.
2. Remove the plastic tube before upholstery. It's rather easy to make a
small slit in your carpet/leather for the two brass fixtures to pop through.
Plug the brass fixtures to make sure no trash gets in.
3. My factory supplied tube turned yellow. I found a 5 foot length of
fuel-proof plastic tubing at Home Depot (Plumbing Section). It's labeled
FUEL PROOF or gasoline proof. I had enough material to cut the piece to size
several times to get a perfect fit and to stretch the tube to make it remain
straight.
4. I bought two small fuel-proof floating balls that go inside my sight
gauges. Very easy to see fuel level with these floats. See pg. 8 on this web
site for photo of the orange balls:
http://online.simmarket.com/aerosoft/SCUB/manual.pdf
5. I ordered the orange sight balls a few years ago - I'm sure you can find
out how to get them from this web site. Caution: balls are too small for the
orifice in my brass tube - they will float away. I drilled a small hole in
an aluminum slug before wedging it into the brass fixture. Works great.

Good luck,

Dennis


On Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 8:53 AM, Tom Falls <tomfalls6 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I guess I missed that. I do plan on using auto fuel, so it's the factory
> design for me.
>
> For those with the factory style sight gauges, could please send pictures
> of how you did the interior around them to make them more pleasing to the
> eye?
>
> Thanks much,
> Tom
>
> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 5:00 PM, vance atkinson <nostromo56 at tx.rr.com>wrote:
>
>>  On 6/5/2011 12:45 AM, Al Gietzen wrote:
>>
>>  As I’ve mentioned previously; if you intend to use auto fuels, don’t use
>> the Atkinson gauge. The white plastic background material is not compatible
>> – unless it has been changed within the past couple of years.
>>
>>
>>
>> Al
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> *From:* reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org<reflector-bounces at tvbf.org>]
>> *On Behalf Of *Tom Falls
>> *Sent:* Saturday, June 04, 2011 6:11 AM
>> *To:* 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
>> *Subject:* REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>>
>>
>>
>> On the topic of sight gauges (from Low fuel warning thread), I've heard
>> rumblings of issues with the Atkinson gauges. I'm getting ready to install
>> them. What are the watch-outs and/or improvements to make sure they remain
>> effective and useful for the life of the plane? Or is it a matter of
>> avoiding certain fuels?
>>
>>
>>
>> Tom
>>
>>
>>
>>  They are not approved for auto fuel anymore and for the past several
>> years the mfgs have been putting things in the fuel (and not telling the
>> public) that can make the gauges crack and also soften.  The gauges  are
>> certainly NOT to be used with ethanol.  I just use Av gas in my COZY, and
>> for 25 years have had NO problems.
>>
>> I usually tell builders if you HAVE  to use auto fuel (no ethanol in it)
>> then put it the tank and use it up right away on your flight.  don't let it
>> sit there for a month.
>>
>> Vance Atkinson
>> EAA Tech and Flt Advisor
>>
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-- 
All the best,
Dennis
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