Along those same lines, I dislike the Vans fuel selector because it doesn't have a clear "stop" at each position (sure, its there, but only if one is very sensitive). Seems to me this might easily allow one to put the valve in a slightly "off" position.
greg
Along those same lines, I dislike the Vans fuel selector because it doesn't have a clear "stop" at each position (sure, its there, but only if one is very sensitive). Seems to me this might easily allow one to put the valve in a slightly "off" position. Of course, it would probably be noticeable as soon as the engine sputtered and stopped but... I have been considering a couple of alternatives. One is to put a manual stop just CCW of the L tank position and another just R of the R tank position, thereby allowing me to turn the valve to exactly the correct position. Downside is that there would not be an "off" position. An alternative is to put a single on-off valve on each tank line, with a T just engine-side of the valves. This would necessitate turning two valves to change tanks, plus an additional connection (i.e., leak potential), but at least I could be certain of valve positioning. Comments on other aspects of this that I have overlooked would be welcome, including other options for the fuel selection.
greg
Mel, so what are people doing for fuel valves?
Mel, so what are people doing for fuel valves?
greg
With a high wing, you have gravity helping you. If one port is uncovered, gravity will cause the other to feed. Not so with a low wing. If a low wing port is uncovered, the pump will cavitate and NOT feed from the other wing.
My stock Van's valve (c. 2005) has very clear "stops" at each position. There is no way to miss whether or not the lever is in one of the two on positions versus one of the two off positions. Might be that you just got a bad one or I got a really good one?Along those same lines, I dislike the Vans fuel selector because it doesn't have a clear "stop" at each position (sure, its there, but only if one is very sensitive). Seems to me this might easily allow one to put the valve in a slightly "off" position.