|
Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Vapor Lock
Thanks for the info, Tracy. My only concern is
this....if the Facet pump was not involved, might it be better to have it
back in the system so that if I have a future problem, I could turn
the Facet pump on to pressurize the sump tank with fresh fuel? Ed seems to
be comfortable with this, and has had to use it.
Of course, on the other
hand, if the Facet even partially contributed to the vapor lock
issue, I don't want it in my system. I need to talk to Herb Sanders one
more time, as he was concerned that because the Facet will not allow back flow,
it might be a major contributor to the vapor lock issue. I'm feeling like my
system is fairly simple as it now stands. Gravity feed, only the two required
EFI pumps, a vented sump tank, and a simple Andair fuel selector valve. I
do not need to transfer fuel from one tank to another,
or anything like that. I can also select "both" on the fuel selector, and
balance fuel consumption automatically, or just switch to left or right tank if
needed. Paul Conner
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:12
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Vapor Lock
Paul, one last thought on the vapor lock thing. Very glad you
have found that it was the problem. There is nothing worse than not
knowing.
It is quite possible that changing EITHER of the two variables (in-line
Facet or vent on the header/sump tank) will make the system work. Just
because you remove one and it works does not mean you have found the
root cause. Earlier I used the "strikes" analogy, and we don't know how
many of these it takes to make an "out".
From your background I'm sure you know that it is frequently a
combination of things that can cause a failure. Removing one of them may
'fix' the problem now but add in other variables like fuel vapor pressure,
altitude, etc, and the problem could come back. The goal
is to make the system as tolerant of all factors as possible.
Happily, this frequently means making it simple too!
One other thought on simplicity. I have never landed without power
(in my rotary powered plane) but I have come close several times in the early
days. The only thing that prevented it was having a fairly simple system
and knowing it very well. This helped diagnose the problem and fix or
compensate for it before running out of altitude and ideas.
Tracy
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG
Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.4.0 - Release Date:
2/22/2005
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.4.0 - Release Date: 2/22/2005
|