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Upgrade fuel tank.

Blain

Well Known Member
Patron
Building a Legacy model. Trying to incorporate Is upgrades where practical. Are there any “gotchas” using the new fuel tank, other then the fill location? That looks like just a skin swap. What about structural consideration?

I just can’t leave well enough alone. Cup holder, throttle quadrant and electric flaps are on my list to explore.
 
I checked the KAI of a ULS install for 12iS, out of curiosity, to see what it'd take to put the "new" tank in my "old" 12.
It's a whole new ball game !

1740661540427.png
 
I've never seen that version of fuel tank. Is this retrofitable, or was it designed strictly for a new installation? It's not like i'm bored or anything, but I'm always interested by the opportunity to do new things while waiting to start a whole new airplane (RV-15!).
 
I believe the idea for the RV-12iS tank came from a modification Joe Gores did on his RV-12 in 2011 where he fabricated this tank. Van looked it over at OSH and liked it, gave it a 50/50 chance of being incorporated. I am sure Van's improved the design for crash worthiness and lessons learned from Joe's experience. While Van's had said it is not retrofittable, that does not mean you could not do the design work needed to make it mount and function appropriately. You might need to change the baggage floor panels and fuel line routing.

John Salak
RV-12 N896HS
 
Nah, it does mean that I can't do the design work... I haven't practiced engineering for over 40 years😄. I'll just wait for my 15!
 
Still exploring the tank upgrade. looking for weight and balance Fuel arm for Legacy-12 and 12Is. I suspect the new tank configuration has a shorter arm.
 
Still exploring the tank upgrade. looking for weight and balance Fuel arm for Legacy-12 and 12Is. I suspect the new tank configuration has a shorter arm.
110.28 for the RV-12 and 100.83 for the 12iS. Baggage area moves backward from 110.81 to 114.42.
 
Voluntary 12is generation upgrades we have done on our legacy RV-12 (from memory):
- Handles on the fresh air vent arms.
- Glare Shield
- tube ends for foot step
- Half Wall for buikhead behind the tank
- Gas tank access port
- Switched classic Dynon Skyview to Skyview HD.
- Upgraded Voltage regulator and added cooling air scoop (because the old one failed).
 
Voluntary 12is generation upgrades we have done on our legacy RV-12 (from memory):
- Handles on the fresh air vent arms.
- Glare Shield
- tube ends for foot step
- Half Wall for buikhead behind the tank
- Gas tank access port
- Switched classic Dynon Skyview to Skyview HD.
- Upgraded Voltage regulator and added cooling air scoop (because the old one failed).
The first 4 were available pre 12is.
 
I retrofitted the F-12132 headset brackets from the 12iS on my legacy RV-12. Just required replacing four rivets (see page 8 of 29iS/U from the 12iS KAI).
 
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