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  #1  
Old 11-05-2019, 07:25 PM
RV6-KPTW RV6-KPTW is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sebastian Fl X26
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Default Calibrating taildragger fuel levels

In the final throes of this build... any opinions on leveling a taildragger for the fuel gauge calibration?
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  #2  
Old 11-05-2019, 08:12 PM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
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How about a saw horse under the tail? Your longeron or tail deck is the good place for using a level.

exciting times, congrats.
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  #3  
Old 11-05-2019, 08:59 PM
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HAL Pilot HAL Pilot is offline
 
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Really curious on how much extra fuel goes in after the fuel floats hit the top of the tank.

I am building a tri gear version and am considering 2 CIES fuel senders in each tank for better and more reliable indications. Kind of pricey though. Wish they could come down in price. :-(
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  #4  
Old 11-05-2019, 10:30 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV6-KPTW View Post
In the final throes of this build... any opinions on leveling a taildragger for the fuel gauge calibration?
The fuel indications in the EFIS systems we are using now are so darn accurate if calibrated properly, I think it makes no sense to not do it in a level flight attitude.
Doing it in level flight and ground attitude (on systems that have the capability) is personal preference but for a tail dragger I think it is worth while.
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  #5  
Old 11-06-2019, 02:12 AM
Discus2b Discus2b is offline
 
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Location: Willis Gliderport
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Not sure if there is a reg. but I waited until after completion and had a few hours of flight time. I?m a bit old school and made a fuel tank dip stick the first time we filled her up, 5 gallon increments.
I don?t care for the saw horse idea as being too narrow even with a cushion. I would be one angry hombre if I put a crease in my new pony. So, small 300# step platform, some shotgun ammo cases and firm foam cushions under the bar attach point got me to level to do the fuel and attitudes calibration.
Hanger floor reasonably level for the lateral leveling, nothing was needed there.
Be careful.

R
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  #6  
Old 11-06-2019, 07:12 AM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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Saw horse works fine.
Just set the tail wheel spring on it instead of the tail cone.
I've done it many years times.
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  #7  
Old 11-06-2019, 07:31 AM
ALagonia ALagonia is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 View Post
The fuel indications in the EFIS systems we are using now are so darn accurate if calibrated properly, I think it makes no sense to not do it in a level flight attitude.
Doing it in level flight and ground attitude (on systems that have the capability) is personal preference but for a tail dragger I think it is worth while.
What EFIS system are you referring to? I have dual AFS 4500?s. Calibrated my tanks two gallons at a time with the airplane in a level attitude and they are miserably inaccurate. So much that I don?t pay any attention to them. I use the gallons used from the red cube as my indication of fuel in the tanks. Finally tweaked that to where it is reliable.
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Old 11-06-2019, 07:44 AM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
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I put the tailwheel on a stool when I calibrated mine. Taxied over to the fuel pumps with the stool in the passenger seat, chocked wheels, raised tail, and pumped gas 5L at a time into the tanks.

Of course, all the calibration in the world won't help when the sender fails. Next step will be to buy a second Red Cube and set one up in each wing root, and deduce fuel level from fuel flow out. My single Red Cube has been accurate to <1%.
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  #9  
Old 11-06-2019, 08:19 AM
Jpm757 Jpm757 is offline
 
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Location: Sherman, CT
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I have the Vans capacitance tanks using the Dynon converters to input to my AFS 5600`s.
I calibrated the gauges in 2 gallon increments in both level flight and 3 point attitude. They are consistently accurate within 1-2 gals., however as others have stated my fuel used/fuel remaining numbers are right on the money. My red cube is mounted between the mechanical fuel pump and the servo.
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  #10  
Old 11-06-2019, 08:57 AM
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mike newall mike newall is online now
 
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I concur, when calibrated, it is accurate for the bottom 2/3rds of the tank. The floats hit the top of the tank before full, but it doesn't matter, you are interested in how little fuel you have most of the time.

Diligent flight planning, yada yada snowflake disclaimer
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