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  #1  
Old 03-27-2013, 04:05 AM
PJ79 PJ79 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Withcott, QLD, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 9
Default RV-9 increased fuel capacity

Hi All,
Ive been wanted to build an RV 9 for years and am going to bite the bullet this week before the price rise. The only concern I have is the fuel capacity on the 9. I know there are other threads addressing this issue but would love to hear from someone who has increased the standard tank size. Im hoping to do this by increasing the number of bays used.
Also any other advice for a newbie would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Pete
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  #2  
Old 03-27-2013, 04:31 AM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
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Pete welcome! I have standard fuel tanks but would love to have full leading edge tanks like these. It's a lot of extra work you have to fabricate your own leading edge skins.



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  #3  
Old 03-27-2013, 07:24 AM
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XOverZero XOverZero is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 416
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Pete,

Again, welcome. A buddy in our EAA chapter installed aux tanks in his TD -9, filled from a second set of ports in the tips. My WAG is that his mod would likely be easier than a complete redesign of the standard tanks. He's not on this forum, so I'll ask him about the details and get back to you...may take a few days.
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  #4  
Old 03-27-2013, 07:37 AM
TThurston TThurston is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Orem, UT
Posts: 213
Default RV-14

Wanting larger fuel tanks sounds like a reason to consider the RV-14.
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  #5  
Old 03-27-2013, 08:17 AM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
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Location: Mahomet, Illinois
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I echo TThurston's comment.
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  #6  
Old 03-27-2013, 08:25 AM
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rv9av8tr rv9av8tr is offline
 
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Location: Portland, OR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TThurston View Post
Wanting larger fuel tanks sounds like a reason to consider the RV-14.
True enough, but for those already commited to their existing project....

I built 2-8 gal tanks out of fiberglass using the Rutan Long-EZ tank technique. They fit behind the seat backs so the CG arm is near the pilot station. The tanks cross tie and feed directly into the Van's standard fuel valve port that is otherwise plugged. I have the design set up for single or duel tank installation.

My brother built an Al tank that fits on the baggage floor for his -9A, though he's not yet flying.
I've found that using just one of my tanks has been plenty fuel for a "typical" cross country. I take off and climb on the Aux tank when burn rate is highest to use it up soonest and burn it off to "dry". Then settle into the rest of the flight LOP at altitude. Typically gives me 6 hrs of flight time and around a 1,000 air miles.

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  #7  
Old 03-27-2013, 08:48 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PJ79 View Post
Hi All,
Ive been wanted to build an RV 9 for years and am going to bite the bullet this week before the price rise. The only concern I have is the fuel capacity on the 9. I know there are other threads addressing this issue but would love to hear from someone who has increased the standard tank size. Im hoping to do this by increasing the number of bays used.
Also any other advice for a newbie would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Pete
Pete, there are the Safe-air tanks that give you another 10 gallons or so, if that's enough. They're filled at the wingtip, under a flip-up door you install and consist of an aluminum tube that slides into the holes in the ribs.

Here: http://www.safeair1.com/fueltanks/rv9ertanks.php

Best,
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Last edited by pierre smith : 03-27-2013 at 08:54 AM.
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  #8  
Old 03-27-2013, 10:02 AM
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Tumper Tumper is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Aubrey, TX
Posts: 358
Default Aux Tanks

Pete,

I have the Hotel Whisky Aux tanks on my 9. Now I haven?t flown yet but there is a guy out in West Texas that has. There are also plenty of RV-8 and RV-7 guys that have the Hotel Whisky tanks.

They are well built and fairly simple. I highly recommend them.
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  #9  
Old 03-27-2013, 10:26 AM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
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I've been flying with Hotel-Whiskey extended range tanks in my -6 for over 3 years and love them!

Basically these tanks are designed to give a little over 1 hour of extended range on each model.
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  #10  
Old 03-27-2013, 10:42 AM
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RV7Ron RV7Ron is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 590
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I did a smaller version of the "Tuckey Tanks"...about 9 gallons each side from my volume calculations, so I should be around 60 gallons total. Not flying yet so no PIREPS but plenty of people have done this mod, it wasnt very difficult and fairly inexpensive. It is more work though, no doubt.

http://ronsrv7project.blogspot.com/2...obbs-3380.html

Click on the link in my post for "Pat Tuckey" and he has a great detailed writeup on how to do it. Good luck!
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