Fuel system

[Steve Fisher]

I assume most Patrol builders are using a gravity feed fuel system. Is that work well for everyone?

Steve

[Mark Goldberg]

Hey Steve. It does work very well but you can't have any restrictions in the fuel lines like a fuel transducer for a fuel computer. That reduces the head pressure too much. But straight gravity flow with a fuel selector valve on a BOTH setting gives great results. Mark

[JimParker256]

The EI FT-90 fuel flow transducer (the one EI specifies for gravity-fed systems) only creates a 0.31 PSI pressure drop at 30 GPH fuel flow rate. It should be even lower pressure drop at more typical O-360 fuel flows. I know LOTS of homebuilders using the EI FP-5 fuel flow meter or the CGR-30P that uses that same transducer. All of them passed their fuel flow test before flying. Did you by chance test with the FT-60 transducer - the one for injected and/or pump-equipped fuel systems? It has a much higher pressure drop (1.2 PSI at 30 GPH).

[Chris In Milwaukee]

5052 is the typical "marine grade" aluminum, from what I've read. So it's corrosion-resistant, which is good in a fuel tank setup. I wonder how 2024 reacts in that environment. Can't be all bad, since the Vans RVs are wet wing. How does .050" 5052 compare to .032" 2024 stregthwise? I have to imagine that the tanks have some structural addition when installed.

[Battson]

Yes - I understand that the tanks ARE a structural part of the wing.