Pics With Extended Range Tanks

CLS447

Platinum Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
6,324
Location
Reading, PA
Aircraft
Air Command 503 & Air Command SxS /EJ2.5
Total Flight Time
Aprox 400 gyro
Here are some pics of my single place with the tanks on.

And some shots of Larry's Jabiru engine in his airplane.
 

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Looks good Chris. I also like the Harley insignia on the tail.

Would this be a good thread to show different extended range tanks?

There are a lot of varieties and designs out there and it would be nice to have some pictures of them in one place. Just a thought.

Thanks
Arnie.
 
We could move it out of AIR COMMAND & everyone could post away. It would probably be seen by more in General Discussion.

I would have just posted under my other thread , but I really don't think many follow that one.

Any participation is good, right now !

With theses tanks, I plan to get PLACES !!!!!!
 
Chris- I had those same tanks on my Air Command. They really extend your operating radius. I could fly another 1.25 hours with them feeding my 582. I flew to Mentone non stop, 121 miles. If I ever get a hanger buddy for my heli, it will more than likely be an *ir Command like yours, with a 503 in it. I love the way mine flew, the ease of loading it, and it was all around a nice gyro. I always will remember your smiling face at Bensen Days 2005 while watching your 447 giving you a good time. Stan
 
Looks good!

The extra range will come in handy!

That is alot of extra weight down low. Might want to keep that in mind on gusty days full up.

.
 
Tim, I will pay attention to the way it affects the handleing. I have used them many years ago, but it was too much weight for the 447.

Stan, you should see my smile with that 503 ! Now without the constant fuel watch going on & radio & GPS......I am gonna really be livin' !!!

Stan, do you remember how you used those tanks? ( factory piping?, Burn aux tanks first? ETC ....... )

Thanks
 
Chris- I had the aux tanks seperate... I would burn them first for one hour...then switch to the seat tank. This would be plenty of fuel for a one hour burn..and still have a little left for reserve. Then I would burn off the seat tank. That got me to where I wanted to go. I loved my Air Command. It had an extended tail on it....and I loved the way it flew.

I really needed those tanks when I left Mentone. I was really windy...and I noticed my GPS was only showing 36 mph ground speed. I had 121 miles to go. Between having that extra gas...and my GPS telling me my options to various airports ...time enroute etc...I made the trip stopping at an airport near half way. I was traveling to the west directly into what was a 35 mph wind..because I could cruise at 70...... I got so tired watching the same cow below me. I swear if she had been walking west...I would have never past her!


Stan
 
CLS447 :

I know I have to start trying to find out how far I might be able to travel also....What kind of time are you getting with your 503 now?

How much do you put in the seat tank?
 
It's supposed to be a 5 gallon tank........When totally drained it holds more like 6. Anyone else think that ?

The thing is...I can only see the fuel tube down so far. So after 3.5-4 gallons it starts to get hairy. I can easy get 1 hr out of it, but then it's time for fuel.

1/2 hr out & hopefully a 1/2 hr back.

Who knows when it will start sucking air ?

So time has alot to do with it. VERY LIMITING !! Bring on the extended range !
 
I have a question. What is the best fuel line? I found some solid black nylon that is the right size, very tough and light. My buddy runs it on small outboard boats.

It is made for air brakes. Some system let brake fluid into the lines, so if brake fluid wont hurt it, maybe 10% ethanol won't either???
 
Without a doubt....TYGOTHANE !

Clear, flexible(stays that way), tough, Best I have ever used !

Lockwood has it. CPS has a yellow version & Mcmaster car has it(all sizes).

Let me get the links for you.

http://www.rotaxparts.net/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=565

http://www.mcmaster.com/?m=true#tubing/=6g5xo7

Tygon Material
View catalog pages (2)
Compare products (30) Tubing
30 products match your selections
Plastic Tygon
Polyurethane Material Tygon Tygothane
Tygon Material Tygon Tygothane Polyurethane
Shape Single Line
System of Measurement Inch
Clear Clear
Color Clear
Low Temperature Range -199° to -100° F
High Temperature Range +101° to +200° F
Durometer Range 71A-95A/22D-45D (Firm)
Fittings Used Barbed

FDA Specification
CFR21 177.2600 | CFR21 177.2600(e)

Tygon Formulation
C-210-A | C-544-A I.B.

Dimensions



Select Outside Dia.: 1/8" (.125") 3/16" (.1875") 1/4" (.25") 5/16" (.3125") 3/8" (.375") 7/16" (.4375") 1/2" (.5") 9/16" (.5625") 5/8" (.625") 3/4" (.75") 13/16" (.8125") 7/8" (.875") 1" 1-1/16" (1.0625") 1-1/4" (1.25") 1-3/8" (1.375") 1-3/4" (1.75") 2" 2-1/2" (2.5") Select Inside Dia.: 1/16" (.0625") 1/8" (.125") 3/16" (.1875") 1/4" (.25") 5/16" (.3125") 3/8" (.375") 7/16" (.4375") 1/2" (.5") 5/8" (.625") 3/4" (.75") 1" 1-1/4" (1.25") 1-1/2" (1.5") 2" Select Wall Thickness: 1/32" (.0312") 1/16" (.0625") 3/32" (.0937") 1/8" (.125") 5/32" (.1562") 3/16" (.1875") 1/4" (.25")

Reinforcement


Unreinforced

Braid-Reinforced

Maximum Pressure Range, psi
Select the range of maximum pressure ratings (psi) that best approximates your need. Under 100 | 100-250 | 251-500

For Use With
Air | Biodiesel | Drinking (Potable) Water | Food

Bend Radius
Bend Radius is a measurement of plastic and rubber tubing flexibility. It indicates the minimum radius you can bend the tubing without damaging it or shortening its life. The smaller the measurement, the greater the flexibility.




3/16" (.1875") | 1/4" (.25") | 5/16" (.3125") | 1/2" (.5") | 9/16" (.5625") | 5/8" (.625") | 11/16" (.6875") | 3/4" (.75") | 15/16" (.9375") | 1" | 1-1/16" (1.0625") | 1-5/16" (1.3125") | 1-1/2" (1.5") | 1-9/16" (1.5625") | 1-11/16" (1.6875") | 1-3/4" (1.75") | 1-15/16" (1.9375") | 2" | 2-3/8" (2.375") | 2-7/8" (2.875") | 3" | 3-1/4" (3.25") | 3-1/2" (3.5") | 4-3/4" (4.75") | 5-1/8" (5.125") | 6" | 7-1/2" (7.5") | 13"

Durometer (Firm)
Durometer is a measure of material hardness. The following choices fall within the range of very soft Durometer values. The higher the number, the harder the material. 82A | 85A

Specifications Met
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
 
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Interesting thing ..................I started getting Tygothane from an instructor that had a large roll of it that he got from Lockwood.

I can't find an on-line catalog for Lockwood, but I have purchased some from them.

Anyway after researching Mcmaster's website....it seems that the stuff that they have that is listed for gasoline is .....YELLOW !

For some reason I tried to paste the exact page from Mcmaster & I could not do it.

Anyway, I have been using the clear stuff & even checked for the proper formulation.

I think it is the best fuel line I have ever used. I will do some more research.

I always use a piece of oversleeve under the aviation clamp.
 
Chris,

I did not see anywhere in the description indicating that Tygothane is UV and Alcohol resistant.

The "blue line" stuff I have been using on my aircraft and motorcycles for several years now and it does a great job of not shrinking and turning brittle.

.
 
Tim, I will pay attention to the way it affects the handleing. I have used them many years ago, but it was too much weight for the 447.

Stan, you should see my smile with that 503 ! Now without the constant fuel watch going on & radio & GPS......I am gonna really be livin' !!!

Stan, do you remember how you used those tanks? ( factory piping?, Burn aux tanks first? ETC ....... )

Thanks

I found the old installation instructions. Here is the plumbing.

It works by draining all the fuel out of the right tank into the left tank. In this manner you won't have any waisted fuel in the right tank.
 

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I still have those instructions, & that is the way I plumbed it ! Thanks
 
WOO HOO !!!! I flew her tonight !!!! With full fuel !!!
 
Thanks ,Tim ! I could feel that extra weight under my butt.

Or maybe it was my butt ! I installed my selector switch out of the way on the throttle plate. It is a 3 position switch....1. Seat tank, 2. Off , 3. Aux tanks.

I just never want to bump it to the Off position while flying.

2 trips around the pattern & I never checked it. I forgot to check my max RPMs to.

I did check my temps & they were great. I was busy on the radio although last night it was unnecessary.

I'm still going to check that fuel line thing out. I swear it was for gas or else Lockwood would not have sold it for that pupose. Now it seems that Mcmaster's yellow stuff is listed for gas.

Thanks for those Spruce links. I have used blue & red urethane tubing before & it always got stiff & brittle. This Tygothane is the best I have ever used.

But those product descriptions make me believe that I had the junk stuff. It's an interesting subject , though. Thanks
 
I had rigged a safty for my aux tank switch but I forgot how I did it. If I remember correctly I think I used a toggle switch cover to keep the switch in Seat position.

I would always look for a good landing spot before switching tanks.

Let me know what you find out about the fuel line. Between the bikes and the aircraft I use alot of it every year. My largest concern is the alcohol.

.
 
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