extremely frustrated
 

Im just trying to figure out how to install a fuel tank on a nextstar trainer plane. I look at the manual online being that I bought the plane used, but cant seem to find out how far out the bottle should protrude through the fire wall . Im not looking for an exact amount of measurement , but an idea of how far is to far . Please if you have picks of this plane . include them in your post. Thank You.


PS no spell check performed.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

NOt having the kit nor finding one online, the fuel tank does not protrude through the fire wall AT ALL. the only thing that goes through the fw is the fuel tube to the hispeed needle and the pressure tube to the muffler nipple. That's it.

Maybe if you could take a pic of the are you are concerned with. Is it actually getting the tank in the alloted space? Not quite sure what you mean but no part of the tank itself goes past the fw.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

I cant give pic right now , but put it this way .....I sanded the hole in the fire wall to snuggly fit the fuel bottle around the lip of the bottle along with rubber top. Can you picture this ? Im frustrated because the manual doesnt specify or show the fuel take mounted at all......Also should I add cushioning between the bottel and fusalage to damper vibration ? I read that this helps.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

We're talking about the almost ready to fly version? I've seen it but not assembled one. Normally, the firewall has a round cutout that the cap of the fuel tank fits into. Try and see if your tank fits snuggly. Also, they may give you enough room to pad with foam, but you may not have it either. I've seen some that leave no room for foam. It isn't critical. If your tank fits snuggly, get it glued whatever way they provide and don't worry about the foam part.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

what size is the tank? is it the one the plane comes with, I have 8 ounce tanks in my 2
trainers, and they have plenty of room behind firewall , for using foam, I use a piece
in between tank & fire wall so front of tank, has only the tubing going through the 7/8ths hole
whatever size it may be, jamming the tank in tight with foam, is no better than no foam at all
it should be snug and in centreline with engines crankcase , not too high or too low,
look for pics of peoples avistars or nexstars , and other trainers to see if ya can see tank
in plane, for examples, also not sure if the nexstar has a fuel tank hatch. but it sure makes
servicing amd installing easier

RE: extremely frustrated
 

Thanks guys I think I understand now.......Once I get the bottle into the fuse without forcing it through the hole, just glue it to the flanges and put the bracing stick behind it and it should hold ok . I'm definitely going to use foam , preferably hardend foam .

RE: extremely frustrated
 

Try to use some really soft and supple foam for the tank. The main reason for using foam around the fuel tank is to try to keep down the vibration. If the tank with fuel vibrates alot, the fuel will foam, and this is BAD for the engine, not to mention you'd have a hard time ever getting the mixture set right with all the foaming bubbles in the fuel.
So.. if you use hardened foam, that's going to transmit alot of the model's vibration (and they all vibrate) to the tank. Try something soft.

Phil

RE: extremely frustrated
 

But not soft like pillow foam or the foam you would put on your bed like a pad. That stuff compresses and provides very little shock absorbtion. Much as it hurts, get the foam that is sold in your LHS. Pricy but it does the job.

On the other hand, I've found that if the tank is just jammed tight in the former hole and CANNOT move, that is enough. Put your rear brace in and you're done.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

voyager my freind you hit the nail on the head ,thats how I had it mounted but it just didnt seem right .....seeing that much of the top of the bottle sticking out...so Im going to do it this way and use foam . This trainer will be my fun fly, because now im ready to move on to a lower winged model . Thanks again guys ........:D

RE: extremely frustrated
 

Hold on the nexstar is an ARF. I dont know why you need to worry about foam around the tank everything should already be installed when you get it. the foam also should be already in the plane.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

Im highly sory for the vague information, when I bought the nexstar from LHS it was used and the fuselage was badly damaged . All of the components where in working condition , servos, servo battery, radio , LA .40 OS engine ,tail , elevator, main wing etc ... so I found a place on line to buy just the fuselages for just about any RC airplane ever built. I even had to get one for the Aspire sailplane EP I have . I paid $150 dollars for used nexstar and $50 for the new fuselage. The price was good for the nexstar fuselage ,especially because the Aspire fuselage cost $75 with motor mount already installed. More wood for less money ...Ill take that deal any time !

RE: extremely frustrated
 

RC-FIEND, I like to put a good sized bead of silicone sealer around the neck of the tank before I stick it in the hole. Gives some vibration dampning, seals the hole from any fuel that blows back on the firewall, locks the front of the tank in place, and if the neck starts leaking the leak goes to the outside of the firewall where you can see it and fixed.

Ed M.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

What bent gear said! Use the silicone!

RE: extremely frustrated
 

Here's the deal. Mount the tank as far back toward the center of gravity as possible. Surround it in foam rubber to keep the fuel from foaming. The type you get from Tower to wrap your RX and battery packs is perfect. Or whatever you have. This isn't rocket science. Secure the tank in place. I just let the door on top and the foam compress to hold the tank in place on my trainer. Make sure the seal is good on the tank fittings. Personally I only use Hayes tanks anymore. EASY. Use what you have, just be concientious that you don't want it to leak fuel in your plane. If you have a large hole in the fire wall put some foam in the hole to keep exhaust from getting in. Everyone has there pet way to do it. The bottom line is that it supplies fuel and doesn't bounce around.

RE: extremely frustrated
 

Thanks guys the tank is mounted and I used Voyager's method of doing so . Its fitted snuggly into the tunnel of the fuse and I used CA glue to keep it from sliding back along with foam around it .

spokman ......I wish there was a door on top of the Nextstar but there isnt my freind , which added to the difficulty , me being a newbe to Glow powered planes, of mounting the tank. Thanks anyway . ;)