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FS 02

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fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: FS 02

I have just discovered an innocuous little statement in Chap. 17 under 

the heading of Fuel sight gauge which states:



"Push the restrictor FS02 about 2.5 cm (1") deep into one end of the 

sight gauge tube, inserting the

drilled end first. Oriented this way you will be able to see any debris 

that may find its way into the

fuel."



I confess this statement leaves me baffled.



First, as I inspect FS 02, I don't understand its purpose, as I note it 

has the tiniest of holes thru which fuel must flow in order to reach 

the sight gauge.  Would this tiny hole be subject to clogging thus 

rendering the sight gauge inaccurate? Why is this restrictor necessary? 

Has anyone not installed one? My kit included two FS 02 restrictors; 

where is the other one supposed to be installed?



Second, it's not clear to me which end is considered the "drilled 

end"....?



Third, from what vantage point is one "able to see any debris that may 

find its way into the fuel"? (My sight gauge tubing does not connect 

directly to the fuel tank boss because I have installed remote fuel 

drains; my sight gauge tubing "tees" off the fuel drain line and is not 

visable thru the fuselage bottom access panel.)



Any insights into this issue would be gratefully appreciated!



As an aside, I've made a short cylinder of Redux w/ lots of 

micro-balloons, 3/16" diameter which I have floating in a jar of fuel 

to see whether it remains buoyant. When I've found some bright paint 

which is truly fuel-proof, I'll paint it with the intention of 

inserting it into the sight gauge tubing in order to make it easier to 

read the fuel level. If I'm doing something dumb here, I'd appreciate a 

heads up!



Fred

A194



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craigb(at)onthenet.com.au
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject: FS 02

Not sure about the restrictor, but as for the epoxy (redux) in the fuel,

I have tried similar in the past, but found the epoxy would break down

after a few months and ended up laying in the bottom of the tank. Saying that, the fuel we were using was methanol with 5% acetone in it, which

may have attacked the epoxy.

Visit -  www.EuropaOwners.org

ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:42 am Post subject: FS 02

Hi!Fred

I posted this message below this morning but the forum hasn't forwarded

it so here goes again

Regards

Bob H G-PTAG

Robt.C.Harrison



--

fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:36 am Post subject: FS 02

Bob H.,



Thanks for your explanation of the FS 02 and the tip on Vance's 

floating ball. You mention:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I've used his ball in my version of a sight gauge between the seat 

 backs


	


I too am contemplating placing a sight gauge between the seat backs and 

have made a small molding upon which to mount it's top which extends 

the vertical face of the CM up to the horizontal surface between the 

head rests. I like this location as it will be visible when re-fueling; 

however, it seems apparent that...since the sight gauge would disappear 

into a hole in the top of the tunnel...readings would not be visible 

when the fuel level goes below the saddle. That being the case, I've 

been anticipating installing the standard sight gauge as well in order 

to get readings down to the point when one would want to switch to the 

reserve tank...although I do have some concerns about raw fuel in the 

cockpit at the firewall. As I write this, two sight gauges sounds like 

overkill, particularly as I have the factory fuel gauge and anticipate 

having an EIS w/ fuel flow metering...(gasp!)



I'd be interested in hearing something about your sight gauge between 

the seats and its venting, as I've had some concerns about adequate 

space between the tank and the CM as I would route the vent line first 

to starboard and then back towards the fuel filler.



Thanks again,



Fred

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ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:08 am Post subject: FS 02

Hi! Fred

Yes my sight gauge also disappears down the tunnel hole below it,

however since this is the main tank saddle height it means you have

approx two gallons left in the main tank whereupon IMHO you should be

sorting out in your mind where to land! The top of my seat back gauge

also goes into the seat back upright so hiding the full measure too but

it continues to vent diagonally across the tank top to vent into the

main tank vent, any fuel on overfilling then gets to return to the main

tank. IMHO for scope and visibility the Europa plan with the ball takes

the prize. 

To see my seat back one I have a small mirror on the dash but to see the

ball it is behind my arm !

I also regularly fill to brim full without a problem except recently

having had my tank top hole undone the gasket settled and needed a fresh

round of tightening !

You could arrange for a small tap to be in line with the factory gauge

except then you have your memory to rely on !

Regards

Bob h G-PTAG



Robt.C.Harrison

--

fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:44 am Post subject: FS 02

Bob,



Whilst still in the build-mode, it's really helpful to hear from 

someone w/ extensive Europa flight experience...so thank you again. 

When you say,



 	  Quote: 	
		   IMHO for scope and visibility the Europa plan with the ball takes the 

 prize.


	


..are you suggesting that, if you were to start over, you would not do 

the "between the seats" sight gauge?... notwithstanding (as I 

understand it) that the standard sight gauge is not visible nor helpful 

when assessing fuel level when refueling (?).



Fred

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ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:08 am Post subject: FS 02

Hi! Fred

You just about got it ! When filling I can't see mine on the seat back

without removing the seat back cushions  but as I say I fill up brim

full just before departure on long flights (don't generally leave it

stood overnight but sometimes do without a problem) 

IMHO the main purpose of the sight gauge is to get an actual visual

level reading as a check on instrument produced level and get some

continuity of readings when nearing the final 25% say.

If you are taking a 1 hour flight and don't need a total fill then stick

in 5 gallons .....you just put it in so you know it's there ! What was

already in is security ?   Now .......imagine a massive leak developing

whilst in flight .......then........? Or needing to do an extended

diversion to an alternate ......?

No I wouldn't do my seat back sight gauge should I start over. Without

my mirror I'm looking down on it so not very easy to read anyway.

Regards

Bob h  G-PTAG

Robt.C.Harrison

--

ami(at)mcfadyean.freeserv
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:20 am Post subject: FS 02

Bob,

What material did you use for the ball?



Rgds.,

Duncan.



---

SteveD

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 50

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 2:23 pm Post subject: FS 02

Vance Atkinson Fuel Site Gauges

You can google the above text and get many hits, Vance's old website is down and I haven't found a new one...



http://www.europaowners.org/album43



Steved...

Visit -  www.EuropaOwners.org

grahamsingleton(at)btinte
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject: FS 02

This is Vance's email <nostromo56(at)tx.rr.com>



Graham



SteveD wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Vance Atkinson Fuel Site Gauges

 You can google the above text and get many hits, Vance's old website is down and I haven't found a new one...

 

 http://www.europaowners.org/album43

 

 Steved...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Visit -  www.EuropaOwners.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


	


-- 

Graham Singleton



Tel: +441629820187

Mob: +447739582005

rampil

Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 870

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:03 am Post subject: Redux and Fuel (was Re: FS 02)

Craig (craigb(at)onthenet.com.au):



Is it really fair to say that you found redux broke down in your fuel, when the "fuel" you were using was entirely unrelated to the gasoline or gasoline/

ethanol mixtures that Europa drivers use.



What type of engine uses methanol/acetone, a very low energy density

fuel anyway? An RC model?

_________________
Ira N224XS

craigb(at)onthenet.com.au
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject: FS 02

Possibly my intent was mistaken here, as you say gasoline has little to do

with methanol other than they are both fuels. The application I was

referring

to was a race bike. As some one else mentions today fuel manufacturers are

blending a lot more than just heptane, octane etc to make "gasoline" the

way they used to. They add various other compounds to "clean your engine

while you drive" etc etc. All i was really saying (or meaning to say) was

that I would test, test and test some more, to be as confident as possible

that the fuel available in your reigion wont dissolve the redux. Personally

I know some epoxy systems can be used to fabricate fuel tanks and sumps with

no problems at all, provided it is done correctly. before i got my europa

kit

i seriously considered scratch building my own design, and that was one

thing

I was looking for in an epoxy system, both chemical and heat resistance, and

it was supprisingly cheap $120 for 20 litres. One thing that may be of

benefit is the addition of "wax" to the redux for use IN fuel. This is what

the composite suppliers here all said i should do if I was making a fuel

tank

or the like from kevlar or carbon fibre. I believe this makes it less

"pourous" at a molecular level and so even more resistant to chemical

attack.

sorry if I created a lot of confusion over this.



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