Aux fuel tank

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Guys,

I have an aux' tank design that goes under the main tank, it carries 3 imp gals & is easily fitted and produced, but am up against the usual wait with the PFA to get their act together, Andy Draper has had the application since 19th March 2007. I believe Larry wanted one, and if any one else including Larry were to email Andy Draper at PFA engineering to place an interest in the mod' Larry and anyone else could get the design off of me and fit it without too much delay. I have posted photos for your info'.

All the best to you all, look forward to seeing you at North Weald? Slots become available at the beginning of June, be quick as they may go fast, call the Squadron on 01992 524510.

Neil

[Pat Blenkinsopp]

Neil,
just reading some old posts and am very interested in your aux tank mod. Was it approved before your little' unplanned arrival ?'. I would love some details and if the drawings are half as good as your fin mod (which I have incorporated into my referbishment) I will be laughing. I think that with me moving the battery to behind my seat (mod request pending ) the extra weight of the aux tank will be negated . Did it,in the full state affect your c of g much ? I am guessing that there was not much movment in the c of g ?
Hope the re-refurbishment is going well.
Kind regards, Pat.
ASXI

[Tipsy Flyer]

Hi Neil,
Was doing much like Pat and came across this. Are drawings availible to construct this tank, perhaps email size.This will make long cross country flights a little less nerve racking with regards to fuel (shortage). I then can move my battery out between my feet and position it behind the seat to offset the weight.
Chat latter
Glen

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Guys,
The plans are definately not email size!! But it is not a problem for my wife to copy A3 stuff, so I can copy the plans and send them to you if you let me have your postal address. The fuel tank sits under the original main tank, and really doesn't affect the C of G.
The safest way of using the aux tank if you don't have an electric starter is transfering fuel by a second fuel pump once there is space in the main tank.
The only problem you will have with the Jabiru engined nipper is the fuel filler location........the filler is inside the upper cowling in my proposed installation.
I have just returned from the USA with the best part of a Great Plains 2180cc engine under my arm, the Nicasil cylinders will follow at the end of October......
I am still unpacking, so will post a longer more informative note soon.
All the very best.
Neil

DSCN5357#001.jpg (27.53 KiB) Viewed 8064 times

[Pat Blenkinsopp]

Neil,
Thanks for the reply and photo. I would be most grateful if you could post the drawings of the tank. Is the mod an approved mod or just ok'ed for your a/c ? If a mod has already been approved for one a/c ,Andy says this will usually speed things up (as with the fin/rudder mod). I think that with a Jabiru engined Nipper you will not need to top up the main tank from the reserve as the carb is right at the bottom of the engine. So my proposal would be to simply supply the engine from the lower tank and have the main tank just gravity feed into the reserve. I woul put in an extra fuel guage on the lower tank and once the main is used up monitor the lower tank contents and 3 gal should give me about a safe 40 min with perhaps 10 min to spare.
Thanks for that neil.
My addressis : 33 Paddock Close, Winterbourne Dauntsey, Salisbury, Wilts,SP4 6EL
Tel 01980 611530 (H)

[Tipsy Flyer]

Hi Neil,
Thankyou for the reply, appreciated.
I would like a copy if possible but i would like to contribute to coping/ postage cost.
My nipper is Vw powered with a fuel pump so should have no problem draining from the bottom tank and refilling from the top as Pat suggested.
Chat latter
Glen

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Guys,

I have just been on the phone to Andy Draper at the PFA to chase the Mod request which he has had since March this year, and have politely suggested to him he has had it long enough! Also that there are now three other Nipper owners who would like to use this mod (Len Johnston is also interested). If you like give Andy a call and bend his ear, it may expedite things. Either that or I shall start complaining to Andys' superiors which tends to get things moving, but it is not something I like doing.

Andy has said that you will have to send in applications for the fuel tank mod as individuals, if I send you the plans it may be that Andy will do them all together, but don't hold your breath!! As it takes so long to get anything done I suggest you start filling out forms!

If you are not using a flop tube supply for aerobatics and the two tanks are connected together by a reasonably large hose so filling the tanks does not take too long, then drawing fuel from the lower tank only is by far the easiest way to plumb the tanks. I use inverted systems, so cannot do it that way.

All the best,

Neil

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Glen,
I hope to get the plans off today, but as I have just trapped a nerve in my back I will see how I get on.
I have not got far with the Great Plains (GPAS) engine...........the machining on the case for clearancing is ok, though to my mind needing alot of finishing to remove potential cracking, lots of sharp edges in critical areas, my engine is a kit of parts, so whether they dress out these areas when they build one I don’t know. The front of the case is machined out for the force 1 hub. The hub design is ok, but the crankcase is very thin at the front. They used to weld the front of the case, but do not do so now, that is a shame I think, as it is very thin and a potential cracking area. I am fitting the alloy cylinders which are on back order, so hope to recieve those later this month or early november.
I would like to see a Revmaster engine, as I have a feeling it may be better, but that is just a hunch. Their front hub is certainly better thought out, as it has a thread internally for removing the hub off of the 3deg taper. I did not use the revmaster as they don’t have the skew gear on the front of the crank which drives the fuel pump. They offer a fuel pump that is driven off of the oil pump, but I don’t have room for this at the front of the engine due to the Nipper cowling design.
The $/£ exchange rate is fab' at the moment, we are getting $2 to £1, so it made loads of sense to get an engine while I was over visiting my Dad in Phoenix just recently.
Do you have a Paypal a/c, as you could make a contribution to the postage through that, though I have to say I don't see any need.
I have posted this here as there may be useful info' for other members.
Neil