I was wondering what the general consensus was on fuel sight gauges?
Certified Cub, electrics in the RH and speaker in the LH
Thanks
.... but my first though is they seem to stick out and would be prone to getting broken off. ...
Al
03-21-2008, 08:25 AMMANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN
Document No: 3286SB Date: September 11, 2006
Subject: Mandatory visual inspection of F. Atlee Dodge Wing Tank Fuel Sight Gauges. Part No. 3286 installed I.A.W. STC SA02115AK. (ref.dwg.no.3286)
Models Affected: Piper Models PA-12, PA-12S, PA-14, PA-18, “150”, PA-18S “150”, PA-18AS “150”, PA-22-160 with F. Atlee Dodge 30.5 Gallon Wing Fuel Tanks Installed. Or any other aircraft using F. Atlee Dodge Sight Gauges.
Statement of Difficulty: Reports have been received that the plastic tube sight gauges have been discoloring and or cracking. The discoloring and or cracking appear to be the result of using automotive fuel or auto fuel / AVGAS mixture. The original gauge plastic tubing is not compatible with Automotive Fuel. Continued use of discolored or cracked sight gauge creates an unsafe condition that could result in the inability to determine fuel quantity in the tank or possible fuel leakage and fires inside the cockpit.
Compliance: Within the next 10 flight hours after receipt of this Bulletin visually inspect the entire Sight Gauge including the connection area behind the cockpit trim panels. Any indication of discoloration or cracking constitutes an un-airworthy Sight Gauge. Replace any un-airworthy Sight Gauge with an improved Sight Gauge compatible with Automotive Fuel prior to further flight. Original Sight Gauges found to be airworthy at the initial inspection shall be inspected every 100 hours or annually, which ever comes first, until replacement with an improved Sight Gage.
Information and Parts Availability: Copies of Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 3268SB are available from F. Atlee Dodge Aircraft Services, LLC. Or electronically at www.fadodge.com. Contact F. Atlee Dodge Aircraft Services, LLC. for availability and pricing of improved Sight Gages.
..One was regarding improper draining that led to incorrect fuel quantity indications ....
Would someone give me a reason why they would want anything but atlees site gauges? I know that if there isnt any fuel in the tube, i need some.
F. Atlee Dodge Aircraft Services, LLC. 6672 Wes Way * Anchorage, Alaska 99518
Phone: (907) 344-1755 * Fax: (907) 344-6720
[COLOR=rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%)]atleedodge@acsalaska.net [/COLOR]~ [COLOR=rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%)]www.fadodge.com[/COLOR]
MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN
Document No: 3286SC-02 Date: August 10, 2009
Subject:
Visual inspection of F. Atlee Dodge wing tank fuel sight gauges. Part No. 3286 inaccordance with (IAW), STC SA02115AK.
Reference:
STC SA02115AK, Document No. 3286IM, Drawing No. 3286.I.
Models Affected:
Piper Models PA-12, PA-12S, PA-14, PA-18 “150”, PA-18S “ 150”, PA-18AS “150”,PA-22-160 with F. Atlee Dodge 30.5 gallon Wing Fuel Tanks and sight gaugesinstalled per STC SA02115AK.
Additionally, any model aircraft with any approved Fuel Tank installed on thesemodel aircraft using F. Atlee Dodge Wing Tank Fuel Sight Gauges per dwg no3286I.
Additionally, any other aircraft with approved installation of F. Atlee Dodge WingTank Fuel Sight Gauges per dwg no 3286I.
Statement of Difficulty:
Report have been received that the plastic tube sight gauges incorrectly indicatefuel quantity at low fuel levels. This misleading information may lead to fuelstarvation of engine in some flight conditions.
STC SA02115AK has a limitation that required the sight gauge to be installedwith only F. Atlee Dodge 30.5 gal wing fuel tanks in accordance with STCSA649AL, SA00092SE or SA578INM.
Many installations have deviated from this limitation by installing the fuel gaugeswith stock 18.0 gallon or other FAA Approved Fuel Tanks.
Steve at Atlees told me not to install those types of guages on a stock 18 gallon tank. I didn't ask why though and installed the stock guages. Anyone have insight on why?
Mike, This is making me think. We all Know that certified Cub fuel level indicators leave something to be desired when on the ground. How about a sight gauge which is connected to a "T" at the rear outlet of the tank and to the normal gauge top connection? This will then give a more accurate reading when the tail is on the ground. Though I do admit that some folks may decide to take off with less gas than with the standard sight gauge. The dual markings, tail low and level flight, tend to sucker the pilot into thinking he has more fuel than he really does.... that atlee gauges are longer than the distance between the stock tank outlets, so the bottom of the gauge is bellow a stock tank bottom and leaves some fuel in the gauge... and people think they still have fuel.... but I like that, and fill then drain tanks, then mark gauge there as empty.... (level flight is only useful info for empty)
Mike, This is making me think. We all Know that certified Cub fuel level indicators leave something to be desired when on the ground. How about a sight gauge which is connected to a "T" at the rear outlet of the tank and to the normal gauge top connection? This will then give a more accurate reading when the tail is on the ground. T.....
My Cub came with Electric fuel gauges.
I pulled the top fuel cover today to access the fuel tank, hoping to find 2 plugs where the sight gauges would go...Nothing. Has anyone encountered this? If so what did you do to get your sight gauges installed.
You can weld the bungs in. Why waste the time though? I also have electric gauges, and they are perfectly accurate. No reason to mess with them.
Tim