VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 02-01-2011, 07:14 PM
Bill.Peyton's Avatar
Bill.Peyton Bill.Peyton is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 1,788
Default Fuel Selector

I am debating on replacing my fuel selector valve with the Andair product. Just looking for some feedback on success with the Vans provided valve and/or opinions on the same. I notice that a lot of folks are using the Andair product.

Thanks
Bill
__________________
Bill Peyton
RV-10 - 1125 hrs
N37CP
First Flight Oct 2012
Aviation Partners, LLC
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-01-2011, 07:39 PM
9GT's Avatar
9GT 9GT is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 1,966
Default

I installed an Andair in my -10 but am not yet flying. It is an extremely high quality product. The only thing I did not like about it was that there was no positive accident proof detente to keep the selector lever from accidentally being bumped from left to right tanks,,,,just a small internal "click" detente. I fixed that by filling in the lifting pin groove with some JB Weld so now you have to lift the locking button to move from any position.
__________________
David C.
Howell, MI
RV-10: #41686 Under Construction
RV-9A: #90949 Under Construction
RV-10: #40637 Completed/Sold 2016
Cozy MKIV:#656 Completed/Sold 2007
"Donor Exempt" but donated through Dec. 2020
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-01-2011, 08:09 PM
D-Dubya D-Dubya is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Posts: 156
Default Go with the Andair

I talked with an RV-6 driver at a fly-in a few years ago that ran into trouble with his stock fuel valve on his first flight. By his own admission, he was "calorically challenged", so his legs may have been a big larger than average. In any case, when he rotated on his first flight, he gave it right rudder and his leg bumped the fuel valve. With no detente, it went into the off position and starved his engine. He put the plane down on a residential street, as he had insufficient altitude to make it back to the airport. He lived to tell about it, but the plane was pretty well banged up and it was over a year before it flew again.

An isolated incident? Maybe so. But one that's easily prevented. After hearing his story first hand, I bought the Andair valve. And for those reading this that wonder why he didn't just switch the valve back to one of the tanks, he didn't piece together what had happened until later on. It all happened so quickly that he barely had time to pick out a place to put it down.

And my Andair valve has positive detentes; you have to lift a button (pin) to switch the valve. All of the ones I've seen are like that.
__________________
David Welsh
Beaumont, TX
RV-7 N413WD

Last edited by D-Dubya : 02-01-2011 at 08:11 PM. Reason: Added the detente sentence
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-01-2011, 10:31 PM
RV10inOz's Avatar
RV10inOz RV10inOz is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Brisbane Qld. Aust.
Posts: 2,271
Default

Andair fuel selector should be MANDATORY. Do it. They are not expensive by any stretch of the imagination.

End of debate!!!!

Unless there is one on the market that is better.....but none of us have found it yet!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-02-2011, 03:40 AM
David Shelton's Avatar
David Shelton David Shelton is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Belvidere, IL
Posts: 169
Default

While it is usually an advantage to have a detent... my Andair became physically jammed when an internal ball detent came dislodged. Unable to switch tanks, I couldn't make it home and ended up at an another airport.

I'm sure my experience was an unusual one and I'm not here to bash Andair. In fact, I'd like to note that they stood behind their product and replaced it ASAP at no charge.

The stock fuel selector probably leaves more opportunity for pilot error... but the addition of detents (balls, springs, notches, etc) tends to increase the chance of a mechanical failure. I'm sure that both fuel selectors are sufficiently airworthy and I don't mind flying with either.
__________________
David Shelton, Aerospace Engineer and Soaring Nut.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-02-2011, 04:33 AM
dav1111 dav1111 is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 645
Default

I installed the Van's fuel selector in my RV-10, have 330 hours since first flying in July 2006 and have had no problems with the fuel selector. At the time I assembled the fuel system there wasn't much talk of using an Andair or I might have gone that route.

Unless I develop a problem with the Van's fuel selector I don't anticipate a change.
__________________
Russ Daves
Lubbock, TX
Proud to be a Veteran
N710RV - RV-10 Sold
N65RV - RV-6A Sold
N686RV - RV-6A Re-Built, Sold
N742PZ - RV-8 Co-Builder Sold
N-867RV -RV-7 Finish Kit
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-02-2011, 05:58 AM
Ironflight's Avatar
Ironflight Ironflight is offline
VAF Moderator / Line Boy
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
Default

I put the Andair in my -8 when I built it, because the "tractor valve" just didn't seem "airplane-like" to me. I married into an RV-6 that has the ORIGINAL Van's valve, and that's been workign for 20 years. We put a proper handle on it, and I haven't had any problems with the thing, so we're going with the van's valve on the new -3. I love the Andair, just have decided I didn't really need it this time, based on exprience....

Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com

Last edited by Ironflight : 02-02-2011 at 07:24 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-02-2011, 06:48 AM
Bill.Peyton's Avatar
Bill.Peyton Bill.Peyton is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 1,788
Default

I assume the replacement Andair is the FS20X3 part with the 6" extension...... I notice that the Andair web site will custom build a valve, I have not spoken with Aircraft Spruce yet.
__________________
Bill Peyton
RV-10 - 1125 hrs
N37CP
First Flight Oct 2012
Aviation Partners, LLC
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-02-2011, 07:23 AM
Wayne Gillispie Wayne Gillispie is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,499
Default I installed Van's valve

You can't hit it with your leg. It does have internal detents. It also has an allen head set screw in the handle that goes into one of four holes to ensure it is in the right position. It cost $50. I bought an extra and installed all fittings just in case. Takes 15 min to change it away from home. I could buy 8more and still be ahead not counting the extra labor involved to initially install it. I am sure the Andair is very nice, but I wanted to finish in 2 yrs or less with minimal mods.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-02-2011, 08:19 AM
Jamie's Avatar
Jamie Jamie is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,295
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RV10inOz View Post
Andair fuel selector should be MANDATORY. Do it. They are not expensive by any stretch of the imagination.

End of debate!!!!

Unless there is one on the market that is better.....but none of us have found it yet!
Well, not really the end of the debate. I have the Van's selector and couldn't be happier. It's simple, inexpensive and works. I can feel the detents perfectly fine when switching tanks. Like Paul I replaced the handle with a proper pointer, just make sure that you use a pointer with the machined 'D' in it to fit on the Van's valve and you're fine.
__________________
"What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." - Charles A. Lindbergh
Jamie | RV-7A First Flight: 7/27/2007 (Sold)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:02 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.