fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

[N74DV]

Today we did a test in the shop. Lifted the tail to level flight attitude, then proceeded to drain the fuel from the carb fuel line until the bend in the fuel gauge wire hit the top of the fuel cap. From there we continued raining and measure the remaining fuel.

Came up to exactly 3 gallons. So about 45 minutes flight time remaining when the gauge shows "empty".

is this about right or should the bend hit the cap with less usable fuel? Anyone done this and what were your numbers?

[Robert Lees]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

Sounds about right to me. It's an error on the right side, in that it's better to have more fuel in the tank than you think.

I always get very nervous as the bend approaches the cap, and start looking for landing spots.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

should be 3 gallons

[Richard Boyer]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

When it stops bobbing I set my timer for 20 min and then turn sheet white. Especially when the nearest airport is 21 minutes away..... Theoretically.....

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

Mine hit the bottom once with 25 miles to go, a bit of a pucker factor but it was a way to find how much gas it took to fill the tank.

Carl

[flylo]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

Thank God for a great glide ratio!

[gnflyn]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

When I set up my new float I added 3 1/2 gallons and then made the bend at the cap. Therefore when it wire bend hits cap 3 1/2 gallons to go. 3 gallons is 40 minute plus the half is 7 minutes more insurance. Also, with the tail level every drop of gas drained out...

[Pearson]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

I have mine set up so that the bend in the wire hits the cap with 20-25 minutes of fuel remaining. I also painted a white band around the wire. When the white band gets to the cap I have about 45 minutes of fuel until the bend, then another 20 minutes till dry tank. This way I have two warnings, one at about one hour fuel remaining, and another at 20 minutes.

[Rick Hadley]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

Mine hit the bottom once with 25 miles to go, a bit of a pucker factor but it was a way to find how much gas it took to fill the tank.

Carl

Been there, done that once in a C150. Never again!

[Jim Hartley]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

I have approxamately 2-3 gallons when the bend hits the cap. The risk factor increases when I reach my destination and I have to go around for what ever reason...or maneuver abrubtly...fuel flow will unport to the carburetor. So I will be on the surface of the earth while the "cork is still bobbing". From now on anyway.

Jim

Today we did a test in the shop. Lifted the tail to level flight attitude, then proceeded to drain the fuel from the carb fuel line until the bend in the fuel gauge wire hit the top of the fuel cap. From there we continued raining and measure the remaining fuel.

Came up to exactly 3 gallons. So about 45 minutes flight time remaining when the gauge shows "empty".

is this about right or should the bend hit the cap with less usable fuel? Anyone done this and what were your numbers?

[Len Petterson]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

3 gallon I have to check what Mine reads less I think maybe one.
Why would it be a difference between aircrafts. Does anyone have the Total length of the wire?
I did a meassuring stick in Liters ( we Canadians are bying fuel in metrics you know) when I first got the plane, below 15 liters is marked No take off!
One us gallon is 3.785 liters. 1 hr = 4,25 gallons = 16.1 L Stick is marked with tail low and wire with tail in flying possition.
I also painted a white and red sector on the pin. white = 1.5 hr Red = 1 hr left.
If you are low on fuel it would be good thing to fly gentle turns as it was pointed out and stay high JUST in case then pilot cooling fan quits!
I hate sweating!

Len

[N95645]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

Right after I bought it I drained the fuselage tank to empty. The bend was resting on the cap sleeve then I poured in a 2.5 gallon can of autogas and measured and marked the rod hight above the sleeve. Then I painted it flourescent orange from that point up with spray paint. My fuel gauge and cap was fabricated as it is a Mercedes Oil cap with the hole and sleeve drilled thru it and a piece of welding rod tack welded to a brass cylinder float so I had no idea there was such a thing as a standard fuel gauge. Anyway, I then filled the tank with another 2.5 gallons and marked it again and painted that section yellow. Also dropped the tail so I'd know about how it would look when sitting on all three wheels.

[baldeagle27]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

I thought that wire was the light gauge. Seems like when it hits bottom it's always just about to get dark out.....




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[Len Petterson]

Re: fuel remaining when fuel gauge hit's the cap

Bald eagle, it is not a light gauge it is fun gage, when it is at the bottom the fun is over!
If what is coinside with the night fall, you should start the engine earlyer in the day.
It will give you a chanse to refill the funfluid for more fun what day.
If just the wind and sno would taper of I would go and burn some funfluid!
Len