Received-SPF: pass
 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=206.46.173.3; envelope-from=N4ZQ@VERIZON.NET
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
MIME-version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v1085)
Subject: Re: 360 fuel transfer
From: "Greenbacks, UnLtd." <N4ZQ@VERIZON.NET>
In-reply-to: <listdigest-6134579@logan.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:15:24 -0400
Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable
Message-id: <E95C8174-B3CF-4883-B468-7402DE8D8079@VERIZON.NET>
References: <listdigest-6134579@logan.com>
To: Lancair Mailing List <lml@lancaironline.net>

About 20min into todays' flight and with the transfer pump switches set =
to auto, the system failed. Actually it had failed before takeoff but I =
was unaware since the header tank was full on takeoff. I observed the =
sight gauge level drop to its normal pump on level and kept falling. The =
EI fuel gauge for the header tank agreed and kept falling. Normally the =
pumps come on automatically at about 7.5gal but not today so I continued =
the flight and operated the transfer pumps manually for the 2.5hr =
flight. About 5 min out from landing I again turned on the transfer =
pumps manually and this time forgot to shut them off. :-(
Needless to say fuel was being pumped overboard as I taxied into the =
hangar....

So what went wrong? The auto transfer system is controlled by a solid =
state relay from Perhelion Design and it works great.
However, the system failed due to the fact that one of the leads to the =
relay from the buss had somehow slipped off its terminal on the =
relay(these terminals are pointed down in this installation). A female =
spade connector that was obviously just loose enough to wiggle itself =
off, did so. In the end, a simple fix but it reinforces the point that =
none of our building work should be taken for granted. Now the two power =
leads to the relay are secured with clear heat shrink as well as lacing =
tape.

Angier Ames
N4ZQ=