CIES fuel sender gasket question ?

[Larry DeCamp]

My Cies senders are impressive, with billet machined/anodized components and absolutely friction free. However, it comes with a rubber gasket. There are archives referencing leaky rubber Vans sensors and recommendations to eliminate the gasket and substitute proseal. That works well !
Cies would not supply a rubber gasket if they didn?t feel they work, BUT, rubber is rubber and compression sets. So, does anyone have experience with the Cies units to share ?

[larosta]

When we installed CiES fuel sanders in another aircraft we ran into issues with the gasket height stack up. We called CIES and they laser cut gaskets out of fiber gasket material for us. I might suggest that you consider staying with the same installation method that is commonly used by RV builders. It seems to work and at the end of the day the CiES sender is not different from a resistance sender as far a mounting and sealing go.

Just out of curiosity, are you using the single sending unit in each tank or the two senders per tank that CiES recommends because of the RV wing dihedral?

- larosta

[Larry DeCamp]

Thanks for the input. Just one sensor per tank. My main objective was to know ( with certainty) what is left near empty. Since Vans senders yield varying results, I installed Aircraft Extras low level sensors in my -3, and the no alcohol MoGas ate the sensors and they leak.
So, for my -4 project, I said ENOUGH !, and ordered CIES based on their reputation . One option is to use fuel lube on the rubber, but Proseal only (no rubber) is the proven path.

[MS19087]

On my -14 I used the gasket provided. They use this on all of their Cirrus installations. However I did proseal the perimeter and all of the screws. I?m a long way from flying. I think it is sealed very well.

[Bill.Peyton]

I was looking at the cies website but did not see any mention of Van?s aircraft. What model did you purchase for the 14

[MS19087]

Or email Andy. andy.fackrell@ciescorp.com with your Van’s specific requests.

[Jeff Vaughan]

I did not use the gasket on the installation on my 12 tank. I just followed Vans plans which called for sealant. So far so good after about 10 hours of flying.