Fuel Gauge

[astjp2]

Nice, isn't it? One of the better finds for a real replacement part for our aircraft...Tim

[M Towsley]

Yikes! $150 for a cap, wire and synthetic cork? Not exact for the T-Craft purist but better than some of the offerings. Braze a couple of tabs,stamp them and pretty darn close.

https://www.univair.com/piper/piper-j-3/view-all/u71041-000-piper-fuel-gauge-assembly/

[astjp2]

Worth every penny, doesnt sink. Watching one sink will make you stink your pants!

[Leenicklas]

Univaire guage works great, but won't quite rest on bottom of tank when you push the wiire all the way down. Probably lacks about 2" from touching. anyone know how much gas is still in tank when wire guage rests on cap?
t

[Robert Lees]

Better to have it that way

[M Towsley]

Tim, mine never sinks, same synthetic material on mine.

Lee, some set them up to have 1/2 hour, (2 gallons), of gas when the wire hits the top in level flight.

[3Dreaming]

Univaire guage works great, but won't quite rest on bottom of tank when you push the wiire all the way down. Probably lacks about 2" from touching. anyone know how much gas is still in tank when wire guage rests on cap?
t

That is something you need to figure out for your airplane. I was flying a somewhat unfamiliar airplane a while back. We flew until the wire was where I was used to seeing it in the airplane I normally fly. The engine quit on landing roll out, and wouldn't restart. We pushed the airplane in, and stopped at the fuel pump, it needed fuel before the next flight anyway. once we had some fuel back in it started right up. I have heard accounts from a Cub owner who was flying someone else's airplane. The moral is you need to know the airplane you are flying. I would prop the airplane up in level flight attitude, and drain fuel until the wire is just all the way down, then measure how much fuel is left. Then plan your flight accordingly.

[Ragwing nut]

Univaire guage works great, but won't quite rest on bottom of tank when you push the wiire all the way down. Probably lacks about 2" from touching. anyone know how much gas is still in tank when wire guage rests on cap?
t

It doesn't go all the way to the bottom. Its suppose to bottom out with roughly 3 gal, or 45 min reserve.

[Scott]

One of those tales of no consistency. When I was young and foolish I believed a fellow Taylorcraft owner when he told me there was 45 minutes of fuel left when the wire bottoms out.

The one and thankfully only forced/dead stick landing I've ever done was the result. 100% my fault and a needlessly risky way to learn a life lesson. Fortunately a nice Quebec farmer saw me land and was there in a jiffy. Gave me a ride to the local gas station and back, and then blocked the far end of the road while I took off again! I guess we both have a story to tell our grandchildren.

S

[astjp2]

I have flown 45 minutes after the little bobber stopped bobbin....ass puckered and all!

[Robert Lees]

I purposely let the engine quit from fuel starvation, I get 40 minutes after it stops bobbing. Then drop the wing tank.

Rob

[3Dreaming]

I purposely let the engine quit from fuel starvation, I get 40 minutes after it stops bobbing. Then drop the wing tank.

Rob

That's great, but on a early flight with my dad's airplane the wing tank didn't drain as it should. I learned an important lesson that day. As soon as you think the nose tank can hold the fuel drain the wing tank. that way if it doesn't drain like it should you have options before you run out. We had waited to long before starting the transfer, and the fuel wire never started back up. It is not fun having the wire sitting on the bottom with no good landing spots about.

[Robert Lees]

I agree Tom, but from previous experience I was happy with the fuel transfer.

This procedure only needs doing once to confirm the time from the wire gauge stopping bobbing to removal of the seat cushion from between one's buttocks ! I don't do it as normal procedure; perhaps I should have been clearer on that!

[astjp2]

That little air pocket between the wing tank and the header can really restrict flow until gas flow gets started...happens when you drain the wing tank, refill it, creating an air gap in the line which is hard to push through the header tank. Tim

[Robert Lees]

Not when the header tank is empty <G> or at least the fitting on the aft end of the tank (where the wing tank drains in to) is above the header tank fuel level.

Also remember (for new viewers to this site) that the wing tanks are pressurised by forward airspeed, so make sure your wing tank cap seals are good.

Rob