BVM UAT
 

Is this just a hopper tank or have I missed something?

It seems really expensive for what it is. A lot of people seem to be using them though.

I would be grateful if you could let me know. If it is worth the money I may buy one but if can just use another tank I will save a packet!

RE: BVM UAT
 

Good question. I have never had a problem with a small header tank with the pickup geometrically centered in the tank. I think the BVM part is to expensive. I really dont see how you would get an air bubble with with the little header tank.

RE: BVM UAT
 

Buy One. I have been using them since they came out and havent had a flame out unless I run them out of Fuel or Blow a turbine. I still use a large Hopper tank on all my jets but UAT is what feeds my turbines. Yes it is not cheap but My Jets are worth a bit more to me than to be worried about a flame out. So just buy one and enjoy your flight, Its one less thing to worry about.



just my $0.02............................... Johnny Hernandez

RE: BVM UAT
 

The UAT is a ready to run header tank that uses a unique conical shaped sack as a pick up. The unit has two nipples which for perfect operation need to be positioned near vertically facing up with the model sitting level. This minimises the air in the tank during filling and in the seam of the clunk "sack"
It's not cheap, but it works well when correctly installed.

Dave Wilshere

RE: BVM UAT
 

I agree with Johnny. It's a small price to pay for the piece of mind.

RE: BVM UAT
 

Another fact to consider that nobody has mentioned on this thread yet....the UAT is also a great filter. The sac inside the tank keeps the finest piece of crud from entering the system. Anything going into the UAT when filling the fuel system is filtered out. The pump should have a longer lifespan, and you won't have any air bubble induced flameouts either. The UAT is the only airborne filter upstream of the pump. The pressure side of the fuel system should also contain a filter downstream of the pump, to filter out any fuel pump gear particles (caused by normal wear). That's my .02 worth.

Harley Condra
BVM REP
Team JetCat

RE: BVM UAT
 

Ok, now let's hear from the guys who have not purged the UAT of air properly and have had flameouts as a result. I saw one such incident at Florida jets this year that resulted in a totalled airraft . I personally think that a geometrically centred pickup in a hopper tank is much cheaper and all you need for a steady , air free flow of fuel.

Marc

RE: BVM UAT
 

Man, I thought it was $40, it's 60!!!

You can also put a felt filter in the hopper tank.

$60 is unreal. No doubt it works but come on, 5-10 dollars in parts...

RE: BVM UAT
 

And by doing that you introduce an air bubble generator into your airplane......no thanks! If you can build a UAT for $5 -10 you should do it. If you think it is too expensive, don't buy it. I personally would not fly a turbine powered airplane without one. But what do I know....

RE: BVM UAT
 

No, I wouldent put a felt in the hopper tank personally, but they do break up a"BIG" air bubble into something the engine can manage without flameout. I will stick to the centered pickup hopper tank, has worked perfect for me in the past.

It's all a matter of preference, just like servo isolators etc.

RE: BVM UAT
 

Thanks for your help guys.

I think I will put one in to be safe. UK price is £50. Thats about $90. I still think it is a bit of a rip off for a plastic tank and filter. But people are buying them (including me). We need a decent alternative from another manufacturer to bring the price down.

RE: BVM UAT
 

Ill second that.

RE: BVM UAT
 

[link=http://www.jetpilots.org/how_to_build_a_turbine_pleated_p.htm]http://www.jetpilots.org/how_to_build_a_turbine_pleated_p.htm[/link]

RE: BVM UAT
 

Hi Mark,

We seem to be the biggest proponents of the pleated fuel filters filters . I made up a hopper tank utilizing the filter . Geometrically centred and no air purging issues like the UAT.

Marc

RE: BVM UAT
 

Woketman,
Good tip and exactly right. What is the dimensions of this little filter? Any history on the kero saturated long term survival? I have always used felt clunks with zero problems. I have also seen hoppers with central pickups work. Unfortunately I cannot say that "after I started using it" my flameouts went away. I used them since day one, before that plasma bags...
Thing is a felt clunk in the main tank works for me so I would have to be looking for work if I installed another complication just taking up space.
Our sea skimming 600kph twin turbine UAV uses felt filters.... and we have 50 litres of fuel on board in multiple tanks, not because they are cheap but because I trust them.
Andre Baird

RE: BVM UAT
 

There is another alternative...... How's this for around 40.00??

RE: BVM UAT
 

Excellent, good idea and thanks for posting that setup.

RE: BVM UAT
 

Already available configured as seen above ;)

RE: BVM UAT
 

Andre, I have one pleated filter that has been immersed in Jet A for at least three years and is just fine. I prefer not to keep the pleated paper geometrically centered in the tank. That should work, but I use a bigger tank (Dubro 20 or 24 oz), if space is available, and weight it as a clunk so that I can have more fuel volume. Has worked perfectly.

RE: BVM UAT
 

Hi Todd,
What is the "membrane" material.
Andre

RE: BVM UAT
 

www.orbitronic.de sells that clunk. I have one and it works well.

Marc

RE: BVM UAT
 

Andre,
Marc is correct, these are Orbit membrane clunks that perform the same service as the BVM fuel sack. They will suck every last drop of fuel out of the header before passing any air.
Todd

RE: BVM UAT
 

Someone explain how to purge the air out of your UAT.

Carl

RE: BVM UAT
 

UATs work just fine, but introduce another procedure, purging (by shaking the model with the engine running, try that with a 50 pound Mig 29 ) after they have been emptied, another potential problem. The simple centered pickup in a four ounce tank requires NO procedures of any kind, has nothing which requires maintenance, and cannot go wrong. I have just removed one from my F15 (Jetcat 80, 120, 160) after 4 years of use without a single flameout and will be reinstalled without change. My F4 (AMT Peg HPES) has a JPX oil tank with geometrically centered pick up, NO flame outs after 4 years, still in perfect condition. In both cases the fuel is filtered to the Nth degreee BEFORE it gets into the tanks and a Festo filter is used (vertically) on board and any discolouration due to contaminants can be seen thro' the clear plastic case. If there is any real trick to avoiding flameouts due to air it is to have a totally airtight fuel system, tested under a slight vaccuum, the working condition. Of course you cannot totally empty a simple header, so you have couple of ounces of fuel which becomes unuseable.
David Gladwin.

RE: BVM UAT
 

I believe that the UAT requires NO PURGING if you mount it nose up.... Does anyone disagree with this??

You don't need to SHAKE the plan.... If it is mounted horizontal, just point the nose up while running... If it has been emptied.

Ussually, you just don't empty it...

David