REFLECTOR: BID Tank Sealing & Fuel Gage

[Chuck Harbert]

Jorge, a professional V builder showed me how to seal my tanks that has worked very well for me for 6 yrs. When my tanks were done, but before I closed them (put on upper strakes), we made a peanut butter mixture of cabo and epoxy, then spread it over the inside tank surfaces. It filled every pinhole and has never leaked. We used a plastic body filler squeegee and applied a very thin layer. 

I also wasn't enthused with the std V fuel guage system, so I used 2 mechanical fuel guages from Aircraft Spruce (p/n 05-16700 $44 each). They accurately measure the remaining fuel in the tank. It's best to install them before you close the strake. You need to cut a 2" hole and use barbed machine screw nuts to hold and seal the guage using 1/4" bolts. Seal up the foam and the backside of the nuts. The guage is easy to read (see pic) by just looking over you shoulder. 

Chuck H

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