REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges

Brian Michalk michalk at awpi.com
Thu Jun 9 19:13:15 CDT 2011


Juanita ordered it, and she could probably tell you.  I'll mention it to 
her.

On 06/09/2011 06:32 PM, Rene Dugas wrote:
>
> Brian,
>
> What kind of red ball?  I use a cork ball but don’t like the look.  
> Clipped the hook off a Popping Bug (dry fly fishing lure) also but it 
> scared the young Eagles with the Eyes and all.
>
> Rene’
>
> *From:*reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] 
> *On Behalf Of *Brian Michalk
> *Sent:* Thursday, June 09, 2011 2:31 PM
> *To:* Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> *Subject:* Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>
> I'm using that Tygon from McMaster.
>
> I do have fuel in the tanks, and the yellow color is not that big of a 
> problem.  They have been in fuel for less than a year, so I can't 
> comment on durability.
>
> I have a strip of electroluminescent light behind mine, and a floating 
> red ball.
>
> On 6/9/2011 2:06 PM, Tom Falls wrote:
>
> For those using Tygon tubing AND auto fuel, are you just getting the 
> tubing from a big box lumber store or are you ordering a special type? 
> I have learned there many formulations 
> http://www.tygon.com/tygon-traditional-tubing.aspx
>
> Anybody using Tygon F-4040 (made for fuel use)? How easy is it to see 
> the fuel level? http://www.mcmaster.com/#5552k32/=cobblm.  It’s only 
> available as semi-clear yellow. I’m hoping others are having 
> reasonable success with something clear.
>
> Tom
>
> *From:*Tom Falls [mailto:tomfalls6 at gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 08, 2011 10:18 PM
> *To:* 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
> *Subject:* RE: REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>
> Thanks Kurt . . . I like simple!! As an improvement I think I’ll see 
> if I can find a good clear hard tube that is slightly larger diameter 
> than the tygon to protect it from accidental damage. I’m with Brett 
> and Jim. The tygon by itself makes me nervous. I think your cover 
> provides some protection, but for my comfort it needs a little more.
>
> Tom
>
> *From:*reflector-bounces at tvbf.org <mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org> 
> [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] *On Behalf Of *nmflyer1 at aol.com 
> <mailto:nmflyer1 at aol.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 08, 2011 6:51 PM
> *To:* reflector at tvbf.org <mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>
> *Subject:* Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>
> Tom,
>
> Ridiculously simple really.  I have the stock elbows and tygon tubing. 
> Tubing clamps are the low profile plastic ones that 
> lock/ratchet together when squeezed.
>
> To make the covers:  I found PVC pipe that was about the right 
> diameter to give me room to cover the sight gauges, then cut it to the 
> length needed. Then I just laid it up on a bench using the PVC as a 
> dummy form.
>
> Once done, I did the usual release & sand.
>
> Painting:  I went to Home depot with a sample of my material that I 
> wanted to match. They made me a very good match in one of their sample 
> latex packs (bout a pint). Sprayed it with an airbrush.  Cost:  $1.99. 
> Matches great and I have used that for areas around the door pins, 
> covers, etc. Once done and labeled, you can hit it with a coat of 
> clear to lock in the labels & gloss it up a bit if you like.
>
> Ways to hold them in place:  Dab of silicone (clean well before hand). 
> or Velcro.
>
> I have LED lighting in the top of the baggage area shining down. That 
> gives plenty of non-glaring light to see the tubes.. also makes it 
> easy to load the aircraft without powering it up (runs directly off 1 
> battery thru a 1A fuse).
>
> Hope that helps.   Kurt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Falls <tomfalls6 at gmail.com> <mailto:tomfalls6 at gmail.com>
> To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list' <reflector at tvbf.org> 
> <mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Wed, Jun 8, 2011 3:50 pm
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>
> Kurt,
>
> Your installation looks fantastic and would work great for me. Can you 
> share more detail about the construction including tubing material and 
> the type of tubing clamps you used?
>
> Thanks much,
>
> Tom
>
> *From:*reflector-bounces at tvbf.org <mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org> 
> [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org 
> <mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org?>] *On Behalf Of *nmflyer1 at aol.com 
> <mailto:nmflyer1 at aol.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 07, 2011 7:24 PM
> *To:* reflector at tvbf.org <mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>
> *Subject:* Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>
> Tom,
>
> Here is how I did mine. I have not labeled them yet since I haven't 
> done the W&B with fuel loading. Copy & paste if the links do not work.
>
> http://tinypic.com/r/2441biw/7
>
> http://tinypic.com/r/121qtxw/7 <http://tinypic.com/r/121qtxw/7%C2%A0>;
>
> Kurt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Falls <tomfalls6 at gmail.com <mailto:tomfalls6 at gmail.com>>
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org 
> <mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>>
> Sent: Tue, Jun 7, 2011 8:53 am
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel Sight Gauges
>
> 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 
> <mailto: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> 
> [mailto: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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