Schmleff
Well-Known Member
I need a pump to transfer fuel from my aux tank to my main. What is everyone else using. I saw a 15gph facet pump, but that is pretty slow.
thoughts?
thoughts?
-
Become a Premium Member today!
Welcome aboard HomebuiltAirplanes.com, your destination for connecting with a thriving community of more than 10,000 active members, all passionate about home-built aviation.
For a nominal fee of $99.99/year or $12.99/month, you can immerse yourself in this dynamic community and unparalleled treasure-trove of aviation knowledge.
Why become a Premium Member?
- Dive into our comprehensive repository of knowledge, exchange technical insights, arrange get-togethers, and trade aircrafts/parts with like-minded enthusiasts.
- Unearth a wide-ranging collection of general and kit plane aviation subjects, enriched with engaging imagery, in-depth technical manuals, and rare archives.
Become a Premium Member today and experience HomebuiltAirplanes.com to the fullest!
Transfer Pumps
- Thread starter Schmleff
- Start date
D
dred
On my Rans I use an ijection fuel pump from AUDI for refueling on the ground. I put the free end of the fuel hose into the tube, where I usually bringing the fuel in it, and after that I start the pump on. 30 litters of benzin are taken into the main fuel tanks, which are in the wings, aproximately for 10 min.
D
dred
I have just noticed your explanation about the term "Wet wings". Thanks! It appearesd the same as the wings of my Rans. The capacity of each fuel tank is 35 liters. I do not meet any problems with the drifting the fuel during flight...
Schmleff
Well-Known Member
Konstantin said:
Yes, but your tanks are not the full length of the wing. That is the issue.
D
dred
Yes they aren't! Antonov 26, which I was flying before has 3 fuel tanks - groups - in each wing. The fuel transfers from outer to inner groups by fuel pumps, which are driven by the automatic, or manually. The Pilatus has also the same fuel system. May be this is a way to overcome the drifting broblem. Another way, which I have only heard, but haven't ever seen, is to put in the fuel tank a porous material, which is not active to the benzine. The fuel intake probe should be in the lowest part of the fuel tank. This is my experiance with the transfer pumps... K.
splischke
Scott Plischke Sonerai IIL N994SP
Jeff,
I run Facet pumps on my Sonerai. Model 40105 as listed in the AS&S catalog. The pump will develop 2.5 to 4.5 psi. When I did my fuel flow test, the 40105 averaged 25 gal/hour. This should be enough to move fuel from your aux tank to the main.
-Scott
I run Facet pumps on my Sonerai. Model 40105 as listed in the AS&S catalog. The pump will develop 2.5 to 4.5 psi. When I did my fuel flow test, the 40105 averaged 25 gal/hour. This should be enough to move fuel from your aux tank to the main.
-Scott
Schmleff
Well-Known Member
Great, thanks!
S
skyFlyer
I also have the same Facet pump found here..... http://www.greatplainsas.com/scfuel.html
and plan to use it on an Auxillary tank I plan to build for the front seat when doing cross countrys and pump to the main tank. I have done a fuel flow test and found that mine pumped 24 gallons in one hour which would be more than good enough for actual needs. See the fuel level getting down to calculated level of two gallons left in main tank, adjust timer to go off in 20 minutes and turn pump on. I think a timer would be a good idea as I hate to think of what would happen if forgotten due to distractions or just sight-seeing and notice strong smell of fuel or see it splashing out of my tank vent onto my windshield. Timer I thought would be a good cautionary reminder to check as the tank should be nearing full at that time and simply shut the pump off by switch.
It would be fairly simple to install a limit switch wired up to automatically shut off the pump too in case you do forget and leave it on. Then as fuel level gets down, the switch turns on the pump again until main tank is full but would not want to rely on that......only to be as a back-up imo.
John
59RR
Sonerai IIL
and plan to use it on an Auxillary tank I plan to build for the front seat when doing cross countrys and pump to the main tank. I have done a fuel flow test and found that mine pumped 24 gallons in one hour which would be more than good enough for actual needs. See the fuel level getting down to calculated level of two gallons left in main tank, adjust timer to go off in 20 minutes and turn pump on. I think a timer would be a good idea as I hate to think of what would happen if forgotten due to distractions or just sight-seeing and notice strong smell of fuel or see it splashing out of my tank vent onto my windshield. Timer I thought would be a good cautionary reminder to check as the tank should be nearing full at that time and simply shut the pump off by switch.
It would be fairly simple to install a limit switch wired up to automatically shut off the pump too in case you do forget and leave it on. Then as fuel level gets down, the switch turns on the pump again until main tank is full but would not want to rely on that......only to be as a back-up imo.
John
59RR
Sonerai IIL
elkosonerai
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 41
splischke said:Jeff,
I run Facet pumps on my Sonerai. Model 40105 as listed in the AS&S catalog. The pump will develop 2.5 to 4.5 psi. When I did my fuel flow test, the 40105 averaged 25 gal/hour. This should be enough to move fuel from your aux tank to the main.
-Scott
This is just my opinion but the fuel filter in that pic is not safe for use in an airplane
I have seen two cars burn because those came apart and leaked gas. of course it is experimental and you have the right to use whatever you woul likt to just thought I would give you a heads up
splischke
Scott Plischke Sonerai IIL N994SP
Thanks for the heads-up but I respectfully disagree with your statement that it shouldn't be used in any airplane.
You say the failure occurred on cars. First off, on cars fuel filters are usually located on the high pressure side of the fuel pump. Second, the filters are likely not inspected often. And third, fuels used in cars may contain additives or alcohol that attack the rubber gaskets.
On N994SP, the filter is on the low pressure side of the fuel pump. I doubt the filter sees any more than a nominal 0.5 psi from head pressure -- hardly enough to cause more than a drop or two if the gasket began to leak. Second, the rubber gaskets showed no adverse affect to my prolonged submersion testing in 100LL. Lastly, I change the gasket and filter often -- once every 6 months -- since the replacement kits are cheap, are readily available locally and it takes no more than 5 minutes to perform.
I've been using this filter for 3 years and it has earned my full confidence. I would not however, trust this filter if it was on the high pressure side of the fuel pump.
-Scott
You say the failure occurred on cars. First off, on cars fuel filters are usually located on the high pressure side of the fuel pump. Second, the filters are likely not inspected often. And third, fuels used in cars may contain additives or alcohol that attack the rubber gaskets.
On N994SP, the filter is on the low pressure side of the fuel pump. I doubt the filter sees any more than a nominal 0.5 psi from head pressure -- hardly enough to cause more than a drop or two if the gasket began to leak. Second, the rubber gaskets showed no adverse affect to my prolonged submersion testing in 100LL. Lastly, I change the gasket and filter often -- once every 6 months -- since the replacement kits are cheap, are readily available locally and it takes no more than 5 minutes to perform.
I've been using this filter for 3 years and it has earned my full confidence. I would not however, trust this filter if it was on the high pressure side of the fuel pump.
-Scott
D
Des
Hi all, regarding fuel transfer, here is how I did it in my Sonerai IIL. (The aux tank is installed in the turtle deck)
I just let it free flow in the main tank, via a 6 mm inside fuel hose, controlled by a transfer valve. I use a completely independant venting system for both reservoirs. I made sure however, the air pick-up for tank venting is at the same location as the one for the main tank. That assures both reservoirs are vented with the same ram press, thus at all times, I keep the height difference between both reservoirs as the "feed force" to the main tank. I also introduced a small bleed hole in the vent line to the aux tank, to make sure that any fuel wich may collect in the vent line will not block the proper vent operation...!!!(Before this mod, I had it once)
This setup provides for a smooth transfer, and I use it to decrease pilot load as well. When take off with both tanks full( only for "long" flights), I always start with the main tank; As soon as I feel the nose tends to pitch up, I start the transfer. This happens so slow that the main level increases slowly. (The transfer flow is well above the engines consumtion anyway), and the transfer flow decreases as the reservoirs are "leveling" At a certain point, both tanks will empthy at the same rate, really nice. There is no problem for overfueling the main, unless You should imediatly start the transfer. One thing to note is that You need about 15 lietrs or less in the main before the aux tank can be fully empthied. If You follow the higher mentioned procedure, there is not any problem at all. And by the way, there is no pump, wiring, or switch wich may fail. And of course, the system is lightweight.
Best regards,
Frans
OO-99 Sonerai IIL 1200 Hrs to date. Engine 2180 with Ellison TBI
I just let it free flow in the main tank, via a 6 mm inside fuel hose, controlled by a transfer valve. I use a completely independant venting system for both reservoirs. I made sure however, the air pick-up for tank venting is at the same location as the one for the main tank. That assures both reservoirs are vented with the same ram press, thus at all times, I keep the height difference between both reservoirs as the "feed force" to the main tank. I also introduced a small bleed hole in the vent line to the aux tank, to make sure that any fuel wich may collect in the vent line will not block the proper vent operation...!!!(Before this mod, I had it once)
This setup provides for a smooth transfer, and I use it to decrease pilot load as well. When take off with both tanks full( only for "long" flights), I always start with the main tank; As soon as I feel the nose tends to pitch up, I start the transfer. This happens so slow that the main level increases slowly. (The transfer flow is well above the engines consumtion anyway), and the transfer flow decreases as the reservoirs are "leveling" At a certain point, both tanks will empthy at the same rate, really nice. There is no problem for overfueling the main, unless You should imediatly start the transfer. One thing to note is that You need about 15 lietrs or less in the main before the aux tank can be fully empthied. If You follow the higher mentioned procedure, there is not any problem at all. And by the way, there is no pump, wiring, or switch wich may fail. And of course, the system is lightweight.
Best regards,
Frans
OO-99 Sonerai IIL 1200 Hrs to date. Engine 2180 with Ellison TBI
L
lqbano txano
Hello Group
Schmleff
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the suggestion.
I am very seriously considering installing a fuel flow meter so I can accurately judge how much fuel is in my tank. Might also look for a 12v timed relay for that circuit. How long would you have to hold that switch if it were spring loaded?
I am very seriously considering installing a fuel flow meter so I can accurately judge how much fuel is in my tank. Might also look for a 12v timed relay for that circuit. How long would you have to hold that switch if it were spring loaded?
L
lqbano txano
Jeff
I would need to hold the toggle about 2 minutes per gallon. The auxiliary tank holds about 6 gallons. The pump draws .7 Amp Hour & pumps about 30 GPH.
Ivan
I would need to hold the toggle about 2 minutes per gallon. The auxiliary tank holds about 6 gallons. The pump draws .7 Amp Hour & pumps about 30 GPH.
Ivan
Schmleff
Well-Known Member
Have you considered using a time out relay? If I recall, Beech uses one on a few of their twins as a safety on their landing gear system. If the pump continues to run after the gear is up, it will time the pump out after a set amount of time. Not sure if such a switch is readily available however.
J
jwallace60
What about an old fashioned Wobble pump like they used on old WWII aircraft...
probably not the lightest setup...but fairly reliable..
probably not the lightest setup...but fairly reliable..
L
lqbano txano
The spring loaded toggle seems like the simplest solution...KISS. It will also be the easiest to retro fit for me...about a 1/2 HR job. Thanks for all the suggestions though.
J
Jim
Has anyone considered running both tanks to the gascolator independently and using simple on/off valves for each? or run both fuel tanks to a Left/Right/Both valve, using them as a 2-tank system rather than having one be Aux to the other?
jim
jim
lqbanotxano
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2006
- Messages
- 210
On my last flight last week I left the fuel transfer pump on. Before I switched it on, I made sure that there was more fuel gone from the main than was being pumped into it from the auxiliary. After I landed I noticed the switch was on.....there was no whirrrr sound coming from the pump. Saturday I bought a spring loaded toggle switch. It takes approximately 11 minutes to pump 6 gallons. That is how long I will have to hold my finger on the switch. I rather do this than overflow the front tank or burn up another fuel pump. I was going to do this, as stated on my previous post
Jim said:
I think what I am hearing from posts is that the gravity feed from the main tank is needed. I have a main fuel shut off that is a "T", 2 lines in and 1 out. Came with my project, I suspect my first builder planned 2 tanks.
