Switching Tanks Technique. How do you do it?

[flyr747]

Start, taxi and takeoff on the fullest tank. I won't change to the other tank just prior to takeoff as I think it's important to sample the fuel for a period of time prior to takeoff. After that, using the Dynon timer each 30 minutes, electric fuel pump on, switch tanks, reset Dynon timer, fuel pump off and monitor fuel pressure and usage. Modify the switch when flying over less than desirable terrain. The last switch to the fullest tank should occur several minutes prior to top of decent.

[Darin Watson]

For me when I feel my Depends are wet..switch; then when they are sticky...switch again.

OK...lame attempt at humor.

When alone I do 1 hour on the right for balance. After that I do the "top" and "bottom" half of the hours top = right.

[RV7A Flyer]

Startup and taxi out on one tank; runup and takeoff on the other. Thereafter, switch tanks every 5 gallons per the Dynon Skyview message. When doing so, boost pump on and watch for slight pressure rise for 5-10 seconds, switch tanks, do nothing for 10 seconds or so while watching fuel pressure, then boost pump off and monitor pressure for another 5-10 seconds.

Andair fuel valve and boost pump; not worried about the valve sticking, either.

Always anticipating a failure, the procedure in case of a sustained loss of fuel pressure or flow would be boost pump on, mixture full rich, switch tanks.

[grubbat]

My process is to takeoff on left tank, get to altitude, then fly 30 min. Then I switch to right tank till I get close to destination then I switch back to left tank for landing. Boost pump always on when switching. If the destination is longer, I will run the right tank dry or almost dry, then switch to left tank for remainder of leg. Its kinda spooky seeing the fan stop but there is a little comfort in knowing that you got all the fuel you could out of that right tank.
cj

[n82rb]

I do every thirty minute or so, but I will try to be over a runway or close by when I do it.

Bob burns
Rv-4 n82rb

[moll780]

+1
I do the same.

Originally Posted by N941WR

First off, I have an Andair valve, so I have very little to no worries about my valve sticking.

To answer your question, I switch them every half hour by first turning on the electric fuel pump, switching tanks, and turning the pump off.

[Infidel]

Originally Posted by flyr747

Start, taxi and takeoff on the fullest tank. I won't change to the other tank just prior to takeoff as I think it's important to sample the fuel for a period of time prior to takeoff. After that, using the Dynon timer each 30 minutes, electric fuel pump on, switch tanks, reset Dynon timer, fuel pump off and monitor fuel pressure and usage. Modify the switch when flying over less than desirable terrain. The last switch to the fullest tank should occur several minutes prior to top of decent.

Same process for me. After two hours of continuous flight, I have to get out and walk around some and usually top the tanks off when doing so.

[jjconstant]

Well I guess I do it a bit differently...when on shorter than hour or so flights, I just fly there on one tank and land and use the other tank for the return flight. On longer cross country flights I burn 10 gallons at a time and then switch, but I've usually filled my tip tanks to some level before the longer flights.

Is the process of using timing rather than consumption a hold over from the days when we didn't really have a direct way of accurately measuring consumption other than via the proxy of time?

[rolivi]

Originally Posted by jjconstant

Is the process of using timing rather than consumption a hold over from the days when we didn't really have a direct way of accurately measuring consumption other than via the proxy of time?

Probably YES I'm thinking. And since I did my primary in Cherokee it's drilled into my brain and double riveted. Lisa says "where's BOTH?" and I tell her that's on the high wing she's training in.

[RVDan]

Skyvew can provide "change fuel tank" messages based on fuel used since start up, which is what really matters for fuel balance. I have mine set for 5 gal on my -6A. Works great.