fuel pressure gauge

[OuterMarker]

I have a Rotax 503 DCDI and a 6 gallon seat tank. I recently put on 2-3 gallon external tanks. As was written about before about these tanks, as long as there is a tight seal on one tank and the other tank is vented, fuel should flow from one tank to the other. On the chaulkboard it works. And slecting Main tank (seat) to Aux tanks should be seamless...not a air bubble in the fuel line...in theory.

I need more to feel comfortable up there...

Can a fuel pressure gauge be installed so that I can read the pressure of whatever tank is currently being used? Has anyone do this with this type of fuel setup?

thanks...
albert

[jcarleto]

Most fuel pressure gauges are post fuel-pump. The pressure of a gravity feed tank..or for that matter...most non-fuel-injected systems on the pre-fuel-pump side is fairly minimal and therefore difficult to measure. I always watch the fuel pressure (post pump) on the Bonanza and any low-wing FW airplane when I swap tanks. Typically, there is a momentary drop, then a resumption of normal pressure. Unfortunately, low fuel pressure post-pump on a 2-cycle is just a moment or two away from engine failure. I'm not sure that a fuel pressure gauge on a 2-cycle wouldn't be about the same as an "engine-has-failed" light. I suppose it could give warning of impending fuel pump failure if it read lower than normal during the run-up. I'd spend the money on dual fuel pumps.

This is just my opinion. It is free, and worth at least three times the price.

[automan1223]

Keep it simple stupid.

What happens when the tank you are siphoning from develops an air leak. (you know the answer)

Stupid proof your aircraft with gravity feed into a common rail system to the lowest point and call it a day.

J