Q: Am i using the right connector?

[vinodwahi]

Hi guys,

as I am tired of building and building fuelline ever and ever again, with in the end having terribly bended tubes, i would like to install a connector each side of the plane, so that the bending will be easier.
my question:
if i would like to connect two tubes of the fuelline, is it correct to use this product of ACS?:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/an815.php
AN815 No. 6D ?

And is it recommended also to install connectors instead of grummets at the side of the aircraft where the tube is getting out of the fuselage?

thanx everyone!!!!
Plan is to get airborne in 3 months!

[sf3543]

The piece you are showing is a union and can be used to cut and rejoin a length of tubing in order to make it easier to install. I have seen this done, and have done it myself, in the center of the tubing run from the fuel selector to the opposite side of the fuselage where it exits out to the tank on the RV8.
If you want to put something in place of the rubber grommet in the fuselage, you would want to use http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/an832.php ,a bulkhead fitting, which is used to pass through a firewall or other bulkhead. Make sure you order the appropriate AN nut to hold it in place. They also come in 90 degree elbows.
The rubber grommets have worked fine on hundreds of RVs, so maybe just making the tubing easier to install by cutting it in half will be all you need.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by vinodwahi

And is it recommended also to install connectors instead of grommets at the side of the aircraft where the tube is getting out of the fuselage?

Is acceptable, but not recommended to use bulkhead fittings where the fuel lines enter the cockpit.
Just be aware that you will be introducing FOUR additional possible leak locations.

[Buggsy2]

I am just beginning this very task myself, with an RV-9A. The A models, with the nosegear, are more difficult because the fuel line (and brake line) have to run around or through the main landing gear weldment.

I found a couple of URLs that might help you even if you're not building the A model, it's the technique that can be useful:

http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/.../20100528.html
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...eferrerid=8660

However: I tried the technique yesterday and couldn't quite make it work. I think you need strong hands to make the bends between the gear weldment and the fuselage exit hole. Besides, I wanted to use 5052 Al tubing instead of the softer tubing Vans supplies (6061 I think).

So instead I bent some copper wire as a model, then bent the Al tube with a lever-style tube bender. Worked fine, all I have to do is the last subtle bends to get through the two braces and their nylon snap grommets. I haven't bolted in my landing gear weldment yet. The techniques in the URLs above seem to work with the weldment in place.

BTW, why would a connector at the fuselage side help? Once you're there, it's a short straight exit to the wing and the fuel tank.