Extended Fuel

[Paddy]

I've been planning a transatlantic trip to Ireland since I started building the -10. A tribute of sorts to the Irish who came before me to this great land in the knowledge that they would never return to the Emerald Isle. Anyways, here's my long-range tank installation. I designed the tank to hold 40 gallons and be easily installed and removed by one person. Fuel is plumbed into the 3rd port on the factory fuel valve. There's a small sump for the gravity feed, a finger strainer and an in-line fuel filter. A no-drip quick disconnect snaps into a fitting installed in the tunnel inside the area normally covered by the flap cover. The vent is similarly located through the tunnel and out the bottom of the fuse. A resistive sender connects to a spare channel the G3X and shows fuel level on the engine page alongside the main tanks.

[Paddy]

The tank is secured to the rear seatback hinge and the outboard seatbelt anchors, as well as another hinge attachment, using extruded hinge, to the front edge of the seat pans. Fuel flow test results are similar to the wing tanks and flight testing shows no anomalies within the normal flight envelope. The tank weighs 43lbs with hose and fittings and the W&B station is the same as for rear passengers.

[rockwoodrv9]

I love reading about guys with a plan to really travel. Best of luck on your planning and then your trip. Your tank looks nice!

[Zuldarin]

Thats a great looking tank! Does it have internal slosh baffles, or are they even needed? Did you do the welding?

[majuro15]

Wow, that really looks good! Seems like you've thought it out well and covered the safety aspects. So what will be your total endurance now?

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by Zuldarin

Thats a great looking tank! Does it have internal slosh baffles, or are they even needed? Did you do the welding?

The tank has 2 internal baffles. I had an expert do the welding - I only wish to be that good someday!

[Paddy]

Economy cruise is 155ktas @ 8.5gal/hr at altitude. I'm running mags, so I can't get quite as lean as I'd like. Still, that yields about 10 hrs endurance accounting for climb to altitude of 12k or so.

[Auburntsts]

This thread highlights the need for a "like" button for posts! Nothing to add other than neato!

[rcoleman-10]

Paddy, Excellent work......I would like to place an order.

[Carl Froehlich]

I was looking to make a tank out of 1/4? carbon fiber premade boards (carbon over foam) but this looks like an option. Who made it and how much did it cost?

Carl