Fuel quantity tubes

[DBeaulieu]

Anybody consider these versus fabricating? Other than price, seems like a good option for sight gauges. Available from Univair...
https://www.univair.com/piper/piper-...er-fuel-gauge/ Not certain of the specs, so not sure if they are of suitable length. If anyone knows, please chime in!
U10804-000__35563.jpg

[Dpearson]

I bet they are too short but I would hope Univair would share either the drawing or dimension with you.
i’ve gone down the “buy” path that a few others followed. Details here: https://bearhawkforums.com/forum/pro...msc-industrial
I don’t have them fully installed yet but so far they seem ok. I’m building a 4 Place A model so the solution may not be exactly what you need.

[Utah-Jay]

Sight gauges are so easy to make

I looked at buying and really happy I fabricated mine

IMG_4267.jpg

[DBeaulieu]

Utah-Jay A few questions (1) are those bulkhead 90 elbows AN to nipple... if not can you describe?How did you seal the tube to the hardware?

[David Swartzendruber]

Jay,
Where did you source the floating balls for your sight gauges?

[TimTall]

I got the orange balls from Univair. U10853-000

They are the only certified part on my plane and the first part to fail. One of the balls sank in the first 20 hours. It still sitting there at the bottom of the gauge. I wouldn't bother with them. It's easy enough to see the level without.

[Utah-Jay]

Jay,
Where did you source the floating balls for your sight gauges?

Yep

Univair

[Richard E]

I agree with Tim. The balls are useless. One failed within the first few days. I replaced it. A few weeks later the other failed and I haven't bothered replacing as you can easily read the tubes without the balls.

The easiest tubes are simply rigid pvc plastic. Not flexible but rigid. Light, simple, easy to read, don't leak, simple and cheap. The guy that built the first 6 place used them and I copied. They have been perfect for the last five years. His is quite fancy with the red spiral line behind. Mine don't have the backing but are still clearly visible and even easier.

[DBeaulieu]

Thanks for the discussion so far. "Rigid PVC plastic" any specifics? Are those tapped for an NPT fitting? Sealant? I've read the Beartracks article but somewhat dated, reports of leaks,etc. So, I'm tryig to figure out the best practices which may have evolved over time. All/any ideas welome...

Dave (from Maine)

[gregc]

My only comment is that if you use rigid PVC, use a new tap and don't go any more deeply than necessary. I went too far and after three months I noticed internal longitudinal cracks forming. I'm guessing I created too much internal stress in the plastic.

[Richard E]

From the video on UTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k29_...arhawkAircraft at 14min 50secs. They are Rigid Schedule 40 clear pvc with tapped threads for the fittings. No sealant needed. I haven't suffered any leaks.

[alaskabearhawk]

I made mine using flexible tubing like Pete Stevens did. There is a BearTracks article about how to make them. They are easy to make and work great, don't leak and my fuel level indicator balls are still floating along. YMMV

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_log.php?user=yeeeha&project=527&category=8690&log=239945&row=27

[DBeaulieu]

Thanks Paul, probably the way I will go as well. Hope Phase I is going well!