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12-12-2011, 09:36 AM
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Posts: 538
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Are you going to leave the fuel selector alone Paul? I would be thinking of putting some sort of key on the shaft of the fuel tank selector, to prevent another John Denver moment. At least if screws came loose again, you can select a tank.
Thanks for sharing.
__________________
Anthony Johnston
Brit working in Zurich, Switzerland.
1500 hour pilot and ex instructor and examiner.
RV-4 s/n 4572 Emp Kit.
RV-3B s/n 11460 Emp Kit. (In storage).
Anthony's RV-4
Last edited by islandmonkey : 12-12-2011 at 09:39 AM.
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12-12-2011, 09:41 AM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal@F14
If the new version of the red fancy handle that's available from Van's is the same item as from Spruce (about $40), then it's now got a D-shaped hole in it instead of a setscrew in the end.

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The problem is that there are two different versions of the valve that Van has used.
That handle one works if the "flat" on the shaft is in the direction of the tank that is selected. The newer valve that I have in the -3 (a newer valve) would need to have the flat on the "tail" end of the arrow. What they need is a handle just like this one with the flat on the other side - then you buy the one appropriate to your valve; end of problem. I'd buy one in a heartbeat!
__________________
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
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12-12-2011, 09:52 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: 45G, Brighton, MI
Posts: 1,867
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I've always felt comfortable with my C-170 fuel valve setup: square shaft through a square hole in the handle with a hole drilled through both at an angle so it can only be assembled one way. Probably could use a roll pin instead of a cotter pin, but mine's been working well as is for the last 1700 hours. Pretty fool proo... er... resistant, IMHO.
This particular valve wouldn't be usable on an RV due to the BOTH position, not to mention a price (nothing to do with value  ) that would likely net you several Andair valves, but the idea of a non-round shaft and angled pin is sound.
Note: This picture is pre-interior refurb (now in progress).

__________________
Miles (VAF# 1238, Paid up as of 2018)
RV-7 TU 904KM (reserved)
Wings Fitted and Finish Kit on site
Construction Log
Picasa: Empennage Album, Wings Album, Fuselage Album
1955 Cessna 170B flying since 1982
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' -Unk.
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12-12-2011, 09:59 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 738
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I too had bought the red handle you used but was uncomfortable with its design and chose not to use it. I didn't know that there was a new version.
Must check out which fuel valve I have.
Again, very glad you and Junior are ok.
__________________
Tom Prokop
Chino, CA
RV-8A,180/CS/Carb, AFS 4500 EFIS/EMS
RV-6, sold, 820 hrs of fun.
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12-12-2011, 10:03 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 146
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Keeping track
A buddy of mine had a similar thing happen in his plane a few years ago (it wasn't a fuel selector valve, but a builder "error" just the same). He is now building a new plane and keeps a clear list in his shop of everything he's started, but that he wants to revisit later because he didn't finish it up 100%. Most of the stuff on his list is screw related. I remember thinking "that's overkill," but after hearing Paul's story I can see how even just a few items on a list could make a difference. Maybe not such a bad idea.
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Brandon
Issaquah, WA
Last edited by skelrad : 12-12-2011 at 01:00 PM.
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12-12-2011, 10:28 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
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Good job
Glad everything worked out. A place to go is always a great idea on those early Phase I flights while things are being tested.
Many comment on the Van's valve being a problem, yet I've never heard of any issues. Maybe some out there, but haven't heard. Thousands of them in use!!
For another point of added security, Aveo has a valve similar to the Andair, that is lighted. Very nice. Got one installed in the new 7.
Again, good job!!!!
__________________
Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver
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12-12-2011, 10:45 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Big Sandy, WY
Posts: 2,567
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Hey Miles,
That square hole shaft is hooked to a pair of 60 year old universal joints with smashed hollow-end rivets for pivots. The 182's have an AD about freeplay on this. Does that make you feel warm & fuzzy?
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Actual repeat offender.
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12-12-2011, 11:11 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Orange County CA
Posts: 646
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Your Next Column
Paul-
#1 - Very glad you had a safe landing and outcome to this problem.
#2 - Interesting thread looking at the safety issues of test flying.
#3 - Seems like a great idea for your next column in Kit Planes. A report on the pre-flight planning, followed up by the results of your flight. A great example for all of us yet to get these birds airborne.
Job Well Done!
__________________
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Peter McCoy
RV9A N35PM S/N:91335
First Flight: April 2013
Hobbs: 400 hours after Oshkosh 2017
www.myrv9.com
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12-12-2011, 11:34 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 738
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not the valve, the handle
Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7Guy
Many comment on the Van's valve being a problem, yet I've never heard of any issues. Maybe some out there, but haven't heard. Thousands of them in use!
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Its not the valve and the supplied handle that's the problem. It's the fancy
aftermarket red handle with the set screw that caused the problem.
The supplied fuel valve from Van's works great.
__________________
Tom Prokop
Chino, CA
RV-8A,180/CS/Carb, AFS 4500 EFIS/EMS
RV-6, sold, 820 hrs of fun.
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12-12-2011, 12:09 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Posts: 317
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I'm not flying yet but I went with the same valve and handle that Paul has. What I noticed is the red handle has a set screw hole drilled in both ends, although it only comes with one set screw. I elected to put a another set screw in the other side.
__________________
Bill Settle
RV-8 N38CW (Reserved)
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