My new plane is getting set up with the tank at the CG, which requires a pump. I've never seen or used one, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. The pressure nipple is going to get installed in the engine back plate; I will make sure it does not interfere with anything. A few starting questions:

Is it true that I not use the normal pressure line from the muffler to the tank? The directions say to vent the tank, so do I just run a line from where the normal vent line is and let it hang out somewhere?

The instructions say to set the high speed needle to a rich setting and prime the pump, so do I just do normal priming procedure?

From there, it says the engine should be running rich (if not adjust the pump) then tune with the normal valves. Is it really that imprecise?

The short fuel line that came with it is pretty rigid; I'm not sure how old the pump itself is (brand new but from a hobby store close out, not sure how long ago). Is it supposed to be rigid and/or could I use regular fuel line?

Any other tips you have would be great.

thank you.

Run the vent line down and out of the bottom of the plane (I just strap it to the firewall)
Normal priming procceedure. The pump will not actually start pumping until the engine gets going.
Tuning the pump is tricky, I had to mess around back and forth for a while between the high speed needle and the pump adjustment (I used the oscillating perry pump)
You don't need a rigid line but you do need a good quality line that is not too flexible. I found that Dubro works well. If you use cheap fuel line the pressure from the pump will blow it off ( I had problems with Great Planes fuel tubing)

the tank is vented because the pump draws a vacuum. with no vent this would cause a vacuum in the tank and not allow fuel flow.
I usually route my vent line through the bottom of the fuse and put a check valve in the vent line so that air can enter
but fuel will not spill out. You may find it easier to use a 3 line setup on this plane as it has a cowl. I use a fill line with a fuel dot
to fill the tank and remove the check valve from the vent as my overflow when filling. and the fuel line to the carb stays connected during fillup.

Install the engine and pump, and start the engine for breakin like you normally would. as long as the engine runs rich enough to 4stroke
you are OK. I have 2 OS 1.60's with Vp30 pumps and neither of them needed any adjustments during breakin, the adjustment may be needed
after breakin to lean the engine out.

The easiest way I know to prime is, open throttle to full, flip prop 2-4 times by or until you see fuel at the carb. (you don't need to plug exhaust or finger over carb
the pump starts working when the engine is turned). put igniter on and hit the engine with electric starter.

Yes the fuel line from engine to pump is supposed to be rigid, the pump works on pressure pulses created in the crankcase, a flexible line will absorb the pulses and
the pump will not operate properly.

Don't forget to plug off the pressure tap on the muffler it can make an oily mess.

thanks.
THANKS!

I am at point of possibly using a Perry Pulse pump so this is a very interesting thread for me. Thank you for all of the good information. I need some positive information about the normal muffler pressure tap. Does Perry CLEARLY state NOT to use the normal muffler pressure connection? Do they give a reason for this? Do they indicate that it is also OK to use the pressure connection? Please bear with me since all of this is important in my application as follows: I use an OS 46FX with an 11X6 APC pusher prop on my new swept wing SPAD Canard. This plane is my own design, so all of the problems are of my own making, and mine to solve. The main fuel tank is located vertically OK, but is about 14 inches in front of the engine. Very far away. I have a 2oz fuel tank mounted very close to the engine. Muffler pressure connects to the main tank pressure connection. This tank outlet connects to the small tank pressure connection. The small tank outlet connects to the high speed needle valve. If I add a Perry pump, I cannot help but believe that I must also use muffler pressure to the main fuel tank. I am assuming that in my application the Perry fuel pump would connect between my small tank and my low speed needle valve. During wild maneuvers my engine sometimes starves for fuel. I have tried many different things, including an OS 46AX engine, a Pitts muffler, etc, so I am certain I have a fuel starving condition. So, what does Perry state? Thanks.

Do it like this. Two fuel dots on the side of the airplane - both connected to splitters. The overfill line has a check valve that allows air to fill the tank as it is emptied, the tank is not pressurized. The "fill" line is branched off to a fuel filter (the big silver thing) which then goes to the pump.

And no, you don't need muffler pressure. I use a tapped backplate and it works perfectly.

I was hoping to see information on the use of muffler pressure, as posted by Perry. Perhaps by posting this again someone else with first had information from Perry will share that information.

There are two completely differant pumps being talked about here Both are Perry/varsane/conley and they are of completely different operation principles and plumbed in different ways.

The VP-30 regulatiing pump uses a crankcase pressure tap to provide the pumping action and will have three nipples to be plumbed which includes the pressure tap to the crankcase.

The small VP-20 Ossilating pump has only two nipples (in and out) and there is no pressure regulator. Its pumping action comes from a tiny bouncingball and the pump must be mounted in the plain of crank rotation on the crankcase for best performance. The pump is between the tank to needle line and if avaliable muffler pressure is also used.

Villa I beleve the small ossilating pump would be preferable for your installation. I have been able to successfully use 50 ounces of fuel in three stacked tanks on a forty size airplane using the ossilating pump and muffler pressure.

John

Nate, are you filling through the line that's 't' with the carb? What prevents fuel from pouring into and out of the carb, and keeps it going to the tank?

Hi JohnBuckner
Thanks for the information.

I have a Perry Pump for a smoker but have not installed it yet. Was given to me and just wondered if anyone had used this type for a Smoker and how well it worked for them. The plane i was going to install it in just does not have room for the tank of oil. I would have already mounted it but really need a better fit for it. Thanks