Aerolab Gascolator - Page 5

RussellT · #41 01-13-2018, 08:41 PM

I have just installed one of these into my RV 3 as part of the build and wondering what I might be missing too. Installation is straight forward and it's probably worthwhile to get the drilling template to save some time ( I made my own template). It could use a shim under the main body as it is slightly proud of the skin on the outside when screwed in.
The screening capability is very generous with a pleated filter and for a carbed engine is more than adequate.
The only thing I am not really happy with is the plunger fuel cut off (the red button) which also serves to lock and retain the gascolator cap/filter, whilst it is all very well made, accurate and clicks into place nicely it is quite a small indent and groove that retains it in place. If for any remote reason it pops out there will be no fuel... I am thinking about removing the plunger as the gascolator (my installation) is after the fuel selector anyway.
I am still some time away from running fuel through it but I think it will be good.

Yes, red cube instructions say after all pumps however in anticipation of limited space and access forward of the firewall I have put it here, if in the future accuracy is not acceptable I will move it.
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maniago · #42 01-14-2018, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussellT

The only thing I am not really happy with is the plunger fuel cut off (the red button) which also serves to lock and retain the gascolator cap/filter, whilst it is all very well made, accurate and clicks into place nicely it is quite a small indent and groove that retains it in place. If for any remote reason it pops out there will be no fuel... I am thinking about removing the plunger as the gascolator (my installation) is after the fuel selector anyway.

I put this unit in the M2 almost a year ago, not long after they came out. I took mine apart, but if I rem correctly the plunger installs from the top under the dome cap. Theres no way it can come out the bottom of the unit as theres a shoulder that stops its downward travel. I think I rem there are orings in there as well, and if you remove the plunger, fuel will come out. Might want to check on that......

RussellT · #43 01-14-2018, 08:23 AM

Had mine apart too, it's the small size of the shoulder that bothers me. Probably wrong to say remove the plunger, rather better (to say) satisfying myself that it will never ever compromise fuel delivery.

I-TERA · #44 01-16-2018, 03:43 AM

I also installed two Aerolab filter gascolator , F1 Rocket evo.
The shoulder is small but was tested for a lot of cycles, a lot more than the live of the plane if you open the filter 10 times pro year. The wear is little, the force and friction involved are very small.
The main function of the plunger is to avoid uncontrolled unscrew of the filter cap.
I strongly suggest leaving the plunger where it is.

Claudio

PilotjohnS · #45 11-22-2018, 10:25 AM

Hi all,
I would like to install the Aerolab Gascolator in my new build RV9. Does anyone have pictures of an install in a RV7 or RV9?

I plan an injected engine, so would not use the standrad filter, and place this between the selector and pump.

Thoughts?

fl-mike · #46 11-22-2018, 10:49 AM

I have a drilling template if you need one.

9GT · #47 11-22-2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotjohnS

Hi all,
I would like to install the Aerolab Gascolator in my new build RV9. Does anyone have pictures of an install in a RV7 or RV9?

I plan an injected engine, so would not use the standrad filter, and place this between the selector and pump.

Thoughts?

I have been waiting several months now for the gascolators to become available again. My last communication with the distributor is that they had to return the last batch for O ring replacement.🤔

BlakeFrazier · #48 11-26-2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9GT

I have been waiting several months now for the gascolators to become available again. My last communication with the distributor is that they had to return the last batch for O ring replacement.🤔

I think I can shed a little light on the situation here. The question about the O-rings wasn't fully settled until the last few days, and as I was out of town over the long weekend and had my hands full with a few other projects, I haven't made time to get back around to my notification list for the gascolators. 100% my bad!

The short version of the story with the O-rings is that the folks over at Aerolab had upgraded one of the O-rings in the gascolator unit to a PTFE O-ring, which should have even greater chemical resistance than the Viton rings in the original units. The original Viton rings did not present a failure, I believe they were just looking to continually improve the product for a lifetime of use.

In any case, the PTFE rings are stiffer and turned out to be less reliable at properly sealing the parts, resulting in some of the units showing a leak. In every case that we tested (6 leaking units so far), switching back to the Viton O-rings fully solved the leak, and we (Aerolab and Flyboy) made the call to go back to the original tried-and-true Viton O-rings.

Just to be really clear... we're not doing anything new here, just going back to the configuration that we know works well. The machined parts have not changed from the original batches.

At present, we do have the Aerolab Filter/Gascolator units back up and available for purchase on our site here. Because this has been an issue, I will be testing each unit in our inventory for leaks with the Viton O-rings in place before sending these out.

There are a few folks that have the PTFE rings in their units, and I will be contacting those people and sending replacement Viton O-rings at no charge as soon as I can. If you previously got a filter unit from us and you're wondering if you're on that list, you can either check the color of the O-ring on the cap (the PTFE ones are orange), or check the purchase date of your unit (if you bought before July 2018, you don't have to worry about it).

As always, if anyone has any questions about this or I need to clarify anything, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Francesco - Aerolab Mfg · #49 11-28-2018, 09:21 AM

Please let me thank Blake Frazier for having advanced my words.
At Aerolab Mfg, Inc. we put our best effort to develop the best possible fuel filter/gascolator and, believe me, investments were no small.

During a routine check over the first installed filter, in Claudio F1 EVO I-TERA, we realized that the residual elasticity of the main O Ring around the bottom cap, after about one and half year after installation, was not fully satisfactory, even if not leaks were shown.
After some research we tried a new PTFE + silicon O ring (custom made on our specs) but results were not completely satisfactory, in the sense that some where perfectly sealing, other (for some reason) not.
I admit we took quite a bath on this research, but at the end we decided the best way was to replace that specific O ring at the annual inspection (and not every five years as we expected before).
I apologize for the delay in releasing new filter to the community but first of all we had to solve this issue.
Blake Frazier at Flyboy Accessories will support your at the best.

Francesco
Aerolab Mfg, Inc.

fl-mike · #50 05-31-2019, 09:13 AM

Thought I would post a couple photos of my installation. I added a circular doubler to the belly skin. The unit installs from the inside, so the floor panel hole has to be big enough to clear the whole flange. you can see the two pre-punched holes in the floor panel that give you an idea of the location of the hole in the floor panel. I will add some foam around the hole to keep anything from falling in and being lost forever! Just have some packing paper stuffed in there now.

a little Visio pattern for the doubler layout and some scales showing the approximate location of the cutout.