REFLECTOR: Uneven Fuel Flow FIx

Mark Magee edjonesbrady at gmail.com
Sun Feb 17 09:07:23 CST 2013


Has -anyone- starved the sump tank in this fuel imbalanced condition in
straight and level (autopilot) flight? Short of a leaking cap streaming
fuel on the full and wing low tank or defective plumbing I have not read
nor heard of such a thing. From my experience, in straight and level
flight, with S-TEK holding course with aileron, I don't think it is
possible to starve the sump tank. At least this is my situation where I
showed no fuel starboard tank for at least an hour with no less than 3/4
tank at one point port side (low wing as S-TEC held course line with
aileron).
I would be curious to hear if anyone has had fuel starvation or even low
sump fuel light on a simply auto-pilot steady course being flown over a
long period due to one wing low.
Anyone?
John A.?
I got home fine on port side tank only showing fuel. Sump fuel starvation
light never lit off.
Mark Magee
N34XL

On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 7:28 AM, Mark Riley <the_rileys1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> I have had this happen several times, where one tank has 15 or more
> gallons and the other is approaching empty. I have put the plane in a slip
> with the full tank on the high wing and the imbalance is corrected within a
> couple of minutes. I have also taken a moment to slow down and do a couple
> of steep turns with the full tank on the high side. That works too. This
> even occurred to me way out over the Atlantic with no land in sight.
>
> I wouldn't assume that every Velocity will begin drawing fuel from the
> full tank after the other is empty. In my opinion, that is something an
> owner needs to verify for himself while circling over his airport just in
> case. I haven't done that yet, so on the infrequent occasions I get an
> imbalance, I use my other simple remedies for peace of mind.
>
> Bottom line though is that this is an issue that is easily dealt with.
>
> Mark
>
>
> On Feb 16, 2013, at 7:37 PM, reflector-request at tvbf.org wrote:
>
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> > Today's Topics:
> >
> >   1. Re:  Fuel imbalance (gstull at tampabay.rr.com)
> >   2. Re:  Fuel imbalance (Dennis Martin)
> >   3. Re:  Fuel imbalance (Mark Magee)
> >   4. Re:  Fuel imbalance (Andrew Judge)
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2013 15:17:13 -0500
> > From: <gstull at tampabay.rr.com>
> > To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
> > Cc: "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com>
> > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel imbalance
> > Message-ID: <20130216201713.2RCKV.17593.root at hrndva-web24-z01>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> >
> > My FG Velo always has about a 7 gal differential in cruise. I pressure
> checked the tanks, no leaks and no bubbles from the gas caps. I even flew
> with a vacuum gauge hooked to each tank, first the left tank and then the
> right tank, to confirm there was no leak creating a vacuum. Ball is
> centered and I taped a string to the canopy so I could visually assure
> myself it was flying straight and level. I ran the tanks dry until the low
> fuel light came on from the sump tank. It actually drained all the fuel
> from both tanks, even though most of the time the left tank was fuller then
> the right. Virtually all Cessna's I've flown have a split between tanks in
> flight, but I always thought it was just bad gauges. Since I have sight
> glasses in the Velo I know that's not the case. I've finally just accepted
> this as normal and of no concern. Especially since it will drain all the
> fuel from both tanks. Still a mystery but not worth worrying about.
> > ---- "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:
> >> Last Sunday I was flying back to Naples, FL from Augusta, GA in my
> SERG. I took off with 25 a side.
> >>
> >> As I flew down the right tank was the only tank feeding fuel to the
> sump tank. When I hit the VNAV point for Naples the right tank was at 6
> gallons.
> >>
> >> When I stated to descend the left tank started to feed the sump tank
> and actually transfer fuel to the right tank.
> >>
> >> Any ideas what could have been going on?
> >>
> >> Richard
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone 5
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> To change your email address, visit
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
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> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2013 13:57:45 -0700
> > From: Dennis Martin <dennis.doc at gmail.com>
> > To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
> > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel imbalance
> > Message-ID:
> >       <
> CAG8_WT-ftYBfJ2vWR_tiBsWt_+PprwTa6tee7cOR5VdzRoFmUA at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > I've got less than 40 hours and no fuel issues so far but this thread
> makes
> > me wonder. Assume you're carrying 30 gallons, and most or all of that
> > gravitates to the left tank, won't that tank still feed the sump assuming
> > your vents are working properly and you have no leaks in either cap?
> Also.
> > assuming you are not flying with the left wing pointed down.
> >
> > Dennis Martin
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 1:17 PM, <gstull at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >> My FG Velo always has about a 7 gal differential in cruise. I pressure
> >> checked the tanks, no leaks and no bubbles from the gas caps. I even
> flew
> >> with a vacuum gauge hooked to each tank, first the left tank and then
> the
> >> right tank, to confirm there was no leak creating a vacuum. Ball is
> >> centered and I taped a string to the canopy so I could visually assure
> >> myself it was flying straight and level. I ran the tanks dry until the
> low
> >> fuel light came on from the sump tank. It actually drained all the fuel
> >> from both tanks, even though most of the time the left tank was fuller
> then
> >> the right. Virtually all Cessna's I've flown have a split between tanks
> in
> >> flight, but I always thought it was just bad gauges. Since I have sight
> >> glasses in the Velo I know that's not the case. I've finally just
> accepted
> >> this as normal and of no concern. Especially since it will drain all the
> >> fuel from both tanks. Still a mystery but not worth worrying about.
> >> ---- "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:
> >>> Last Sunday I was flying back to Naples, FL from Augusta, GA in my
> SERG.
> >> I took off with 25 a side.
> >>>
> >>> As I flew down the right tank was the only tank feeding fuel to the
> sump
> >> tank. When I hit the VNAV point for Naples the right tank was at 6
> gallons.
> >>>
> >>> When I stated to descend the left tank started to feed the sump tank
> and
> >> actually transfer fuel to the right tank.
> >>>
> >>> Any ideas what could have been going on?
> >>>
> >>> Richard
> >>>
> >>> Sent from my iPhone 5
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> To change your email address, visit
> >> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >>>
> >>> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> >>> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> >>> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> >>> Check old archives:
> http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> >>
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> >> To change your email address, visit
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> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2013 16:07:16 -0600
> > From: Mark Magee <edjonesbrady at gmail.com>
> > To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
> > Cc: Mark Magee <edjonesbrady at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel imbalance
> > Message-ID:
> >       <
> CAEe5d_dTXkogM5KbGi6g6i01xWxbTP7v8_DAFzreYxtpviDSwg at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > I wouldn't lose too much sleep over this issue, the boys in Sebastian
> have
> > already put a slide-rule to it. We are fairly unique in having the sump
> and
> > no selector valve(s). As long as your caps have good o-ring seals you can
> > fight a crosswind for many a mile, with gas transferring 'naturally' to
> the
> > low tank, all the while the sump staying topped-off; and that's all
> anyone
> > should care about. John A's instruction to me in transition training is
> > only to worry about draining the sump on steep descents with a low fuel
> > state.
> > I'll tell you it was little freaky to take off in Phoenix with topped
> tanks
> > and a little beyond El Paso I'm Port side nearly full and Starboard side
> > almost drained. I was thumping gauges...  I love steam gauges, they are
> > designed to be thumped.... :)
> > After landing I showed about 15 gallons Port and 0 STBD side. Next
> morning
> > they were equalized at about 7,5 gals each (estimated).
> >
> > Mark Magee
> > N34XL XLFG
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 2:57 PM, Dennis Martin <dennis.doc at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >> I've got less than 40 hours and no fuel issues so far but this thread
> >> makes me wonder. Assume you're carrying 30 gallons, and most or all of
> that
> >> gravitates to the left tank, won't that tank still feed the sump
> assuming
> >> your vents are working properly and you have no leaks in either cap?
> Also.
> >> assuming you are not flying with the left wing pointed down.
> >>
> >> Dennis Martin
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 1:17 PM, <gstull at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> My FG Velo always has about a 7 gal differential in cruise. I pressure
> >>> checked the tanks, no leaks and no bubbles from the gas caps. I even
> flew
> >>> with a vacuum gauge hooked to each tank, first the left tank and then
> the
> >>> right tank, to confirm there was no leak creating a vacuum. Ball is
> >>> centered and I taped a string to the canopy so I could visually assure
> >>> myself it was flying straight and level. I ran the tanks dry until the
> low
> >>> fuel light came on from the sump tank. It actually drained all the fuel
> >>> from both tanks, even though most of the time the left tank was fuller
> then
> >>> the right. Virtually all Cessna's I've flown have a split between
> tanks in
> >>> flight, but I always thought it was just bad gauges. Since I have sight
> >>> glasses in the Velo I know that's not the case. I've finally just
> accepted
> >>> this as normal and of no concern. Especially since it will drain all
> the
> >>> fuel from both tanks. Still a mystery but not worth worrying about.
> >>> ---- "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:
> >>>> Last Sunday I was flying back to Naples, FL from Augusta, GA in my
> >>> SERG. I took off with 25 a side.
> >>>>
> >>>> As I flew down the right tank was the only tank feeding fuel to the
> >>> sump tank. When I hit the VNAV point for Naples the right tank was at 6
> >>> gallons.
> >>>>
> >>>> When I stated to descend the left tank started to feed the sump tank
> >>> and actually transfer fuel to the right tank.
> >>>>
> >>>> Any ideas what could have been going on?
> >>>>
> >>>> Richard
> >>>>
> >>>> Sent from my iPhone 5
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> To change your email address, visit
> >>> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >>>>
> >>>> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> >>>> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> >>>> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> >>>> Check old archives:
> http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> To change your email address, visit
> >>> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >>>
> >>> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> >>> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> >>> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> >>> Check old archives:
> http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> To change your email address, visit
> >> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >>
> >> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> >> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> >> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> >> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> >>
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> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 4
> > Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:33:37 +0000
> > From: Andrew Judge <ajudge at grovenetworks.com>
> > To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
> > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel imbalance
> > Message-ID: <3B8B3E6A-107F-437E-B036-CB9250280BA8 at grovenetworks.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> >
> > I get the same thing. Everything appears straight and it always drains
> the starboard tank. With about 5 gallons left, they start balancing out. I
> haven't seen it turn on the sump warning light. I have almost 600 hours on
> my plane. Sometimes ez turn fuel lube on the caps an o rings helps.
> Sometimes...
> >
> > On Feb 16, 2013, at 5:11 PM, "Mark Magee" <edjonesbrady at gmail.com
> <mailto:edjonesbrady at gmail.com>> wrote:
> >
> > I wouldn't lose too much sleep over this issue, the boys in Sebastian
> have already put a slide-rule to it. We are fairly unique in having the
> sump and no selector valve(s). As long as your caps have good o-ring seals
> you can fight a crosswind for many a mile, with gas transferring
> 'naturally' to the low tank, all the while the sump staying topped-off; and
> that's all anyone should care about. John A's instruction to me in
> transition training is only to worry about draining the sump on steep
> descents with a low fuel state.
> > I'll tell you it was little freaky to take off in Phoenix with topped
> tanks and a little beyond El Paso I'm Port side nearly full and Starboard
> side almost drained. I was thumping gauges...  I love steam gauges, they
> are designed to be thumped.... :)
> > After landing I showed about 15 gallons Port and 0 STBD side. Next
> morning they were equalized at about 7,5 gals each (estimated).
> >
> > Mark Magee
> > N34XL XLFG
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Andrew Judge
> >
> > President
> >
> > Grove Networks Inc.
> >
> >
> > [cid:imagef4baaf.PNG at 1ca50ba5.43aa3667]
> >
> >
> > www.grovenetworks.com<http://www.grovenetworks.com> -Check out our new
> website!
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> hospitalityIT<http://www.grovenetworks.com/hotel-it-consulting/> |
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> >
> > [cid:imagec3bcd7.PNG at d0c9673d.47aef390]<
> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grove-Networks-Inc/153225014792273?v=app_140160812795563
> >
> >
> >
> > - Check out this awesome Facebook landing page - ask us about it!
> >
> >
> > Please email any requests for support to  support at grovenetworks.com or
> call us at 305-448 6126 for immediate assistance
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 2:57 PM, Dennis Martin <dennis.doc at gmail.com
> <mailto:dennis.doc at gmail.com>> wrote:
> > I've got less than 40 hours and no fuel issues so far but this thread
> makes me wonder. Assume you're carrying 30 gallons, and most or all of that
> gravitates to the left tank, won't that tank still feed the sump assuming
> your vents are working properly and you have no leaks in either cap? Also.
> assuming you are not flying with the left wing pointed down.
> >
> > Dennis Martin
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 1:17 PM, <gstull at tampabay.rr.com<mailto:
> gstull at tampabay.rr.com>> wrote:
> > My FG Velo always has about a 7 gal differential in cruise. I pressure
> checked the tanks, no leaks and no bubbles from the gas caps. I even flew
> with a vacuum gauge hooked to each tank, first the left tank and then the
> right tank, to confirm there was no leak creating a vacuum. Ball is
> centered and I taped a string to the canopy so I could visually assure
> myself it was flying straight and level. I ran the tanks dry until the low
> fuel light came on from the sump tank. It actually drained all the fuel
> from both tanks, even though most of the time the left tank was fuller then
> the right. Virtually all Cessna's I've flown have a split between tanks in
> flight, but I always thought it was just bad gauges. Since I have sight
> glasses in the Velo I know that's not the case. I've finally just accepted
> this as normal and of no concern. Especially since it will drain all the
> fuel from both tanks. Still a mystery but not worth worrying about.
> > ---- "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com<mailto:
> richard at naples-air-center.com>> wrote:
> >> Last Sunday I was flying back to Naples, FL from Augusta, GA in my
> SERG. I took off with 25 a side.
> >>
> >> As I flew down the right tank was the only tank feeding fuel to the
> sump tank. When I hit the VNAV point for Naples the right tank was at 6
> gallons.
> >>
> >> When I stated to descend the left tank started to feed the sump tank
> and actually transfer fuel to the right tank.
> >>
> >> Any ideas what could have been going on?
> >>
> >> Richard
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone 5
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> To change your email address, visit
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >>
> >> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery<http://www.tvbf.org/gallery>
> >> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> >> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail<
> http://www.tvbf.org/pipermail>
> >> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > To change your email address, visit
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >
> > Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery<http://www.tvbf.org/gallery>
> > user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> > Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail<http://www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> >
> > Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > To change your email address, visit
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> >
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> > user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
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> >
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > To change your email address, visit
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