Hi Sue and Bill,
It is nice job
What is the price?
Michel AUVRAY
Builder 145
550 hours flight
Le 21/03/2014 04:45, bill a crit :
>
>
> Sue and Bill Sisley
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: XS Fuel Tank
> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:35:46 +1300
> From: bill <bill.sue@orcon.net.nz>
> Reply-To: bill.sue@orcon.net.nz
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
>
>
> A very happy day as ZK CHV is now back in the air complete with a new
> aluminium fuel tank.
>
> After much deliberation I settled on 2mm aluminium to a design that
> eliminated all the complexity of the plastic tank but increased the
> volume to 85Ltrs. The structure was formed by a continuous fold from
> the rear bottom and over the top to front bottom. The sides and bottom
> are one fold each side and one piece tunnel all flange welded for
> strength with cut-outs and inserts to clear controls.
> I made the tank narrower that the previous to allow it to drop
> straight in without having to stretch the fuselage and 100mm taller
> for extra volume. No internal baffles were required as the tunnel and
> cut-outs provided sufficient rigidity.
> The outlets and breather are all AN fitings with provision for
> separate water drains and fuel outlets left and right and the fuel
> return back to the inside of the starboard tunnel.
>
> The tank sits free with the bottom rear of the tank sitting on a
> flange off the rear wall of the cockpit module and the front sitting
> on a full width flange off the front wall (seat-back) of the module. A
> rubber pad is glued to the tank at all contact points preventing
> chaffing. The original spacers are retained to prevent fore-aft movement.
>
> I raised the sides of the cockpit module to just level of the door
> sills and continued the same angle for the head rests so they are now
> slightly further to the rear.
>
> Fuel is measured with a capacitance probe calibrated in 1 litre
> increments.
> Reserve fuel on the starboard side is 14 litres.
>
> Some pics attached.
>
> Sue and Bill Sisley
> On 12/11/2013 10:38 p.m., nigel_graham@m-tecque.co.uk wrote:
>> Hi Bill
>> If you are serious about constructing your own alloy tank, here are
>> some of the issues that I considered carefully before embarking on
>> what turned out to be a lengthy project.
>>
>> Capacity
>> If you want to maximise capacity, the tank shape will be complex to
>> take advantage of the available space. I went "full span" and put
>> seamless tubes through to accommodate pitch control and rudder
>> cables. Since you have sawed off the top of your cockpit module,
>> there is now room to extend the tank vertically up by about 100 mm
>> (to the door sill), this should give you an extra 18 litres. Restore
>> the strength of the CM joint using standard "good composite practice".
>> This should not compromise the seating or baggage-bay access.
>>
>> Mounting
>> The tank cannot sit on the bottom of the fuselage but should be
>> clear. Incorporate supporting brackets to spread the (considerable)
>> load to the front and rear of the cockpit module (seat back). Design
>> in some method of allowing the tank to expand and contract - sitting
>> it on a rubber or cork mat for instance.
>>
>> Breathing
>> Use considerably larger breathers than were originally fitted - to
>> prevent pressure build-up and blow-back while filling. If possible
>> use two, one on each side of the tank. I routed mine up and then
>> down, venting under the fuselage, to prevent siphoning or fuel
>> dumping in the event that the aircraft ever flipped over.
>>
>> Fuel Return
>> I pondered the ideal configuration for the fuel return line
>> (discussed ad-nauseum since!) and opted to return it to the top of
>> the tank. A vertical cross-drilled pipe inside the tank allows the
>> fuel to dribble down without vapourising or having to contend with
>> the back-pressure of a full tank.
>>
>> Fuel Level Monitoring.
>> There are now far more options available to accurately monitor the
>> fuel contents. Capacitance level sensors work well but are sensitive
>> to fuel type, if you only ever use one type of fuel, this won't be an
>> issue. They can be used with a "lookup table" to linearize the
>> readout giving an accurate indication of fuel contents. Float switch
>> stacks are the next option, (as supplied by Europa) they are reliable
>> and not fuel sensitive but give a non-linear indication. I opted for
>> the former but included four optical sensors to give an independent
>> indication of fuel contents at "Full", 2/3 1/3 and "Reserve" and
>> chose to delete the standard "stand pipe", which, without any method
>> of isolating, I considered a safety risk.
>>
>> Maintenance
>> Now is a good time to include an inspection hatch. Machine a large
>> diameter "weld-in" ring with matching cover, tapped for at least six
>> bolts. Include a groove to accept a Viton "O" ring to seal the joint.
>> This cover also makes an ideal mount for the fuel level sender.
>>
>> Good luck and keep us informed of progress.
>>
>> Nigel
>>
>>
>> On 11/11/2013 22:43, bill wrote:
>>> Thank you Nigel,
>>>
>>> Having got the top off now I can see that the leak is at the shelf
>>> on the front of the tank where it sits on the mount. It appears that
>>> the fibreglass had bonded to the tank and with movement caused a
>>> fracture due to the stress. Having looked at the tank now which is
>>> very deformed and reducing capacity, I am sure a "metal" one will be
>>> much superior. Fortunately there are some very good craftsman around
>>> here so fabrication will not be a problem. Not sure we will get to
>>> the same volume as you have but will certainly look for more than I
>>> have now. Will send some pic,s when all done.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Sue and Bill Sisley
>>> On 12/11/2013 8:55 a.m., nigel_graham@m-tecque.co.uk wrote:
>>>> Hello Bill,
>>>>
>>>> I'm a bit late getting back on this one but as others have said, I
>>>> built a tank out of 5251 quarter-hard magnesium alloy.
>>>> It weighs 7850 grams and has a capacity of 110 litres.
>>>> I incorporated internal baffles, and breathers with proper AN
>>>> fittings to accommodate alloy pipework. It is also fitted with a
>>>> full length capacitive probe and four solid-state optical fuel
>>>> level sensors.
>>>> http://www.europaowners.org/main.php?g2_itemId=28719
>>>>
>>>> The only advice I would offer is: allow yourself a long time to make and
>>>> perfect
your cardboard templates - the fuselage is partly conical in section so
the development will be an interesting shape. Choose a welder based on his
ability
to weld alloy and don't fall into the trap I did of restricting yourself
to a CAA approved welder whose self-belief exceeded his ability!
>>>>
>>>> Nigel
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 08/11/2013 21:37, bill wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> After 1100hrs I have suffered a failed fuel tank on my XS Mono.
>>>>> Not sure exactly where the fault is other than it is high up on
>>>>> the tank. Will know more when I get it out.
>>>>>
>>>>> My question to the forum is, has anyone tried fabricating a metal
>>>>> (aluminium) tank rather than using the Polyethylene plastic one as
>>>>> supplied with the kit. If so, were you able to obtain the same
>>>>> volume and any other advice you may be able to offer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Many thanks
>>>>> XS Mono
>>>>> Kit 456
>>>>> 914 and Airmaster
>>>>> 1100hrs
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sue and Bill Sisley
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>> *
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>>>> *
>>>
>>> *
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>>> *
>>
>> *
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>> *
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