Retrofitting Sump drains on EZ strakes

Author Topic: Retrofitting Sump drains on EZ strakes  (Read 2040 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline eric r

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 82
    • View Profile
Retrofitting Sump drains on EZ strakes
« on: August 24, 2014, 08:24:26 PM »
Any suggestions? Are they really "necessary"? I have no drains, and the vents are all aluminum terminating inside the top of the header tank which is a little oversize. If I put in three gallons, the tank still has plenty of room for the  vent "T' to be in free air. The header tank cap is vented as would be expected. The system has worked well.
I am putting in the Piper fuel valve to replace the original weatherhead, and found NASCAR approved aeroquip fuel hose that is super lightweight with a Nomex/Kevlar braid that accepts standard AN fittings.  Tygothane (or whatever it was) and nylon fittings may be light, but I prefer a few more ounces of safety.
FYI, I do park me EZ in the hangar in a level flight attitude using a weight in the front seat and a brace under the prop flange to balance the aircraft. I previously did not have a gascolator, but am installing one now with the other upgrades.
My aircraft was built well and very light ... I can afford the few extra ounces (Lbs) I may gain through the refurb... Removing all the heavy instruments and radio and going lightweight digital. Also going dual electronic ignition and scrapping the mags too. The new Lithium-ion batteries are lighter than the old marginal battery. I hope to add almost nothing to the original empty weight while upgrading capability and safety.

Offline dorr

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 195
    • View Profile
    • http://www.canardfinder.com
Re: Retrofitting Sump drains on EZ strakes
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2014, 01:03:40 PM »
How would you get water out of the system or even check for water as you fly around.

Having an extra tank, even a sump tank is great if you don't fill them all at the same time (and could get water in every tank) - even then, water in the lines can take quite a bit of cranking after you have switched tanks, so a sump drain is a good idea.  We buried ours in the nose of the Long EZ tanks in Bondo which was better with gas...

Beagle
David A.C.Orr
"Beagle"
www.canardfinder.com