Hi all,

First day of the new year, I think it's time for my first post on this forum. [8D]

I'm currently building my first plane and all the posts in this forum have been tremendously helpfull, so thank you to all the experts here!

I'm buidling a Sig Kadet Mark II and have a question re. fuel tank placement. The tank I have (8 oz) is different from the one used in the manual and I have to improvise a bit on how to place the tank. Now my question is what are the parameters I need to consider for this?
For instance does it make a difference for the tank to be higher/lower/same height as the engine? If it has to be appr. same height I somehow need to construct a tankfloor in the plane, if it doesn't make a difference it's easier for me to install the tank near the bottom of the plane...
Related to this, is there a limit to the length of the fuel lines? (I'm using a .40 engine)

Also am considering the use of an easy fuel nipple, anybody have experience with this? Good idea to use this, bad idea? Suggestions on placement?

I welcome any advice you can provide!

Thank you and happy new year from the Netherlands,

Johan

The fuel feed line from the tank to the carberator intake needs to be as close to level as possible. This line needs to be as short as needed to get the job done. The other line from the muffler to the the tank is not as critical for lenght. It just puts pressure in the tank which helps with fuel flow. Hope this helps and Good Luck, Dave

welcome to rc universe. this is a great place for RC questions, beginner and expert alike.

ideally, the centerline of the tank should be within an inch or less of the carburetor (horizontally). this way the engine is not trying to suck fuel from below or above. This is especially true for beginners who do not have experience with glow engines. Avoid fancy fueling devices. they tend to cause problems (air leaks are especially difficult to deal with). run two line from the tank (one to carburetor and one to muffler pressure). disconnect the carburetor line to add or remove fuel in the tank. Keep the lines short -- no unnecessary loops, etc.

To get the tank at the right height, add some foam under the tank or construct a floor of light wood. Of course, the glow engines will actually run if the tank is an inch low or an inch high, but it complicates the starting procedure. when the tank is low, it is difficult to get the engine started because the fuel does not want to come up from the tank. if the tank is too high, the fuel will tend to flow down in to the carburetor even when the engine is not running (flooding the engine).

Thanks for the info, this is what I thought but couldn't really find a definite answer in the manuals.

I think I'll hold of on the refueler thingy for the moment, although it's an intriguing little piece . It's just that the fuel line to the carbrator seems to be quite hard to get to when all's installed so refueling may be quite difficult. But I'll see how it goes in practice.
In terms of keeping the engine in place, I was thinking of using a few 1/4" sticks under the tank but then somehow need to prevent it from moving forward/backward and sideways. Would you recommend buidling a fancy 'harness' for the tank or is it better to just stuff the open spaces with some foam?

Thanks again and looking forward to 1st flight (well lesson)....

Johan

I have done both -- either stuff with foam all around so that it can't move or use some sticks glued around so it can't move. The foam is probably the most convenient if you need to remove the tank for service later.

Ditto to the foam method.

And Welcome to RCU!