new fuel tank - Page 2

dick seiders · #11 10-30-2014, 05:10 PM

Lots of questions and it's a bit early, but will answer as best I can at this point.

1. Commercially? Don't know, but maybe.

2. Cost? To be determined.

3. 11 lbs more than riveted tank. The 5052 is .090" for added strength.

4. The sending unit is placed on the top of tank towards the rear. In this way the sending unit could be repaired/replaced w/o removing tank.

5. Yes to the baffles, the reinforcing doublers, and the return line brackets as well.

6. Coupling is welded on bottom for the feed fitting. A threaded block is welded inside the bottom to lock the return line fitting in place.

7. You didn't ask, but the flange for the fill line, and a coupling for the alum. tubing to vent line is also welded.

8. I am still working on sending photos.

note: tank sealant is required only on the sending unit and the T1209 door. the Moller gage, and the two fittings on the bottom.

Dick

Tony_T · #12 11-04-2014, 02:34 PM

The photos show the details well. Please direct any questions to Dick:

KALEWIS · #13 12-20-2015, 04:17 AM

Any updates as to cost and/or will these be available for purchase? Just finishing a new tank build using parts from the old "seeping" tank. Going new got rid of the sight window as well. Not a fan of sealant and rivets

. ZENITH offers welded tanks..... Will VANS ever consider this? No idea.

Video shows a welded tank from Zenith.

http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=3617603499001

Piper J3 · #14 12-20-2015, 07:26 AM

Wrong thread...

Hotscam · #15 12-20-2015, 03:49 PM

I welded mine from 0.05 to keep it light.
Works well for 500 hours but it does not look so well as yours.
How did you prevent the heat buckling ? It looks perfectly straight

sblack · #16 12-20-2015, 09:43 PM

Usually tanks that size have beads rolled in the for rigidity and flange welds on the ends which give more rigidity. You can use geometry for strength rather than thicker material. This helps with the heat disortion. In WWII it was common to braze the fittings on to avoid distortion as the brazing temps are much lower than the melting point of the patent metal.

.09" is much heavier material than most fuel tanks in airplanes, but 5052 is a standard material for tanks because of its corrosion resistance and because it welds readily. This could be made from 0.050" material quite easily.

Kent White has written numerous articles on welded tank construction. A good one was in Home Shop Machinist a coule of years ago. He gas welds everything....old school.