|
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
Some comments Facet pumps and fuel system design.
My 235 is built with no cowl tank. Fuel feeds directly to the engine
from the wing tanks. I put a Facet pump in each wheel well as close to
the tank as possible all plumbed with 3/8 line. I put a line around
each pump with a check valve to insure free flow to the engine. The
selector valve has left, right and both but I never use the both
position for the reason previously mentioned that with one tank dry the
engine pump would suck air. A valve with just left and right would be
better choice. I think this is the simplest system with most
redundancy. As long as one of the three pumps (2 electric, 1 engine
driven) is operable there is fuel to the engine. The electric pumps are
on the essential electric bus which can be powered directly from the
battery in case of failure of the master solenoid.
My kit came with Facet pumps with 1/8 inch pipe thread ports but Neico
swapped them for bigger port pumps at no cost.
This system does introduce two items of concern. As previously
mentioned by someone, an electric pump must be on to get the primer to
work. Also the pump must be on to get a fuel sample from the
gascolator. My Facet pumps put up 6 psi. You get a snappy fuel sample.
But I have determined that if the primer is unlocked 6 psi on the system
will push enough gas through the primer line that the engine will hardly
run. I have therefore added a small ball valve in the primer line under
the panel where I can reach it, as a back up to the O ring seal in the
primer pump. My pre-takeoff check` list includes verifying that the
ball valve is closed.
I have only 70 hours on the airplane but so far this system has been
trouble free.
Ross W. Colebrook
|
|