REFLECTOR: Leak testing Fuel Strake

[RICHARD J VANDERSTEEN]

I used an air speed indicator and blew it up to 160K. 
Check it 24 hours later and apx same temp.  Worked
great.
--- Andy Millin <amillin at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Larry,
>  
> I believe the refrigerant and sniffer would be used
> to find a "known" leak.
>  
> If you are in the initial testing phase, the first
> step would be basic.
> Seal the tank and add low air pressure.  I'm not
> sure that you even need 2
> psi.  Just enough that you can detect the difference
> between the tank and
> ambient.  I have seen altimeters and water
> manometers used.  It will need to
> be sensitive as you will not have a large pressure
> differential.
>  
> I would recommend you leave the tank under pressure
> for at least 24 hours
> before taking your reading.  Remember you will have
> some potential change
> due simply to changes in ambient pressure.
>  
> If you want to be very thorough, you would test the
> tanks with the craft at
> rest, then test with the wings stressed (force from
> underneath) simulating
> lift.
>  
> FWIW,
>  
> Andy
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org
> [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of Milehitaz at aol.com
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 2:04 AM
> To: reflector at tvbf.org
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Leak testing Fuel Strake
> 
> 
>   
> Forgive me wise collective:
>  
> I know I have read several of the posts before,
> never paid enough attention
> to the answers as it always seemed like it would be
> so long before I needed
> the info...
>  
> Other than refrigerant and a "sniffer" to test the
> "seal" on my
> strakes...Does someone have a good method they can
> share? My thought was low
> air pressure, 2 to 3 psi  and a water bottle with a
> little soap in it
> ....spray around the outside of the strake... see if
> I can blow some
> bubbles...Thanks in advance for your input,
> Larry Lambert XL/RG
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   _____  
> 
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