I really have to echo Joe's thoughts here. My header tank overflow/vent is under the plane, I never worried about an automatic shut off for the fuel transfer pumps. Same thought pattern. It seemed like a great way to build in a potential failure. I'd rather overflow the tank than not be able to transfer fuel to it. In 14 years of flight in my KR, I don't think I have ever overflowed the header tank. If I have, I doubt that I have lost more than a gallon or two of fuel in 840 hours. For sure, I have lost more fuel from fuel expansion dripping overboard while sitting on the ground than I have ever lost in the air. I do have two transfer pumps, so can pump from either or both wing tanks at once. With two pumps running, my transfer rate is quite a bit faster than Joe's , which is probably why I haven't been as distracted and overflowed the tanks quite as often. I also have a light on the panel that lights up for each pump when they are on. When I see the header tank indicating close to full, I shut off the pumps. Unless you mount the pumps on rubber bushings, you'll hear them quite clearly over top of any engine noise. -Jeff ScottLos Alamos,NM ---------- Original Message ---------- From: "joe.kr2s.buil...@juno.com" <joe.kr2s.buil...@juno.com> To: kr...@mylist.net Subject: Fw: KR> Fuel filler and caps venting List-Post: krnet@list.krnet.org Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 19:29:45 GMT
Steve,If you want to it keep simple run the top vent over board and don't worry about fuel loss. I have a vent that is forward facing out the side of the fuselage. I can not see when I am sending fuel over board but I know I have. I usually fly an hour and run the pump 20min to refill. I only forget when I get busy with something else like airspace or radio, In 5 years I have not lost more than 5 gal. I have a indicator light on the panel to know when the pump is runnning. I have a little thought about the tank level switches. I have a light for low level warning off a float switch. It is unreliable. Putting a switch in line to turn off the pump automaticly gives a failure location that you didn't have(shutting the pump off when you need it).Perhaps the most fool proof is the pump with a recirculating line running all the time from one tank to the other Keeping the headeer full until there is no fuel to transfer. Some how I still favor transfering the fuel on demand when I want to and not depending on any automation. Some day when I do it all over I will install a much smaller header tank, larger wing tanks with the recirculaton piping and pump. This would get less fuel in my lap and more room behind the panel, less CG change and still be gravity feed to the engine. About the best solution in my world.More than you asked for but worth every bit of what you paid for it.Good luckJoe Horton ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Thanks for the reply's on the cap types. I like the one Joe sent I will look into that one. HOW TO VENT the header tank? My thinking (although might be stupid) is that if I vent the header tank out the top then if while I am transferring fuel from the wing tanks and get distracted and forget to turn off the pump I will notice fuel on the windscreen. I really don't want to put a switch in the tank for a warning light but if that is the way to do it then..... Just looking the the K.I.S.S. system. Steve Phillabaum ____________________________________________________________ $65/Hr Job - 25 Openings Part-Time job ($20-$65/hr). Requirements: Home Internet Access http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4d6ea8ef699bd668ef5st01vuc
