WIng tank for 7BCM

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 15:45

Back to my previous post, I know this doesn't answer the question regarding the 5.5 gallon tanks in Chiefs, but I was at the airport today and the Champ with the RH 13 gallon tank and a 13 gallon nose tank is "T" ed under the shutoff valve. It does seem like kind of a strange way to plumb things as the main tank would have to be off while you're drawing off the wing tank otherwise it would overflow eventually. Of course you can draw the main tank down and then switch to the 13 gallon wing tank, but it has no fuel gauge (at least on this application) which it probably should. Ideally, the best setup would probably be a 13 gallon tank in each wing and the elimination of the nose tank to get it out of the cockpit and prevent having to retrim all the time like you do with the nose tank setup.

I hope to eventually install wing tanks in my Champ if I ever get around to recovering the wings.

The wind was around 37 kts. today

. No flying/just loafing!!

Mike Berg

Post by **joea** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 18:34

Mike,

Only plus I could see in the fuselage tank in the Champ would be to offset the weight in the case of a heavy pax in the rear seat. As well thats my guess why 99% of the Champs did not have a aux fuselage fuel tank, while almost all of the Chiefs did.

Personally I would agree with getting the fuel out of the fuselage and in the wings. In the event of an accident and it was not looking good I would find a set of trees to shear off the wings and get the fuel (if there was any) behind me. Last thing I want to do is burn...

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 22:45

I've seen Chiefs with the nose tank and (2) 5.5gal wing tanks. So it's nothing new.

....installed fuel tank per Aeronca drawing ___ in accordance with Aeronca suplemental data and AC43.13......

nkh

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:53

I may have made a mistake installing both Wag wing tanks. One would have met the requirements of the STC and cut my cost in half. Oh well, its done now and, I don't have to fill it. I had to call Wag once or twice to get installation help. They were very helpful. Also Paul Agaliotis on this site was very helpfull. As far as the plumbing goes, I welded two bungs in the bottom of the header tank, one on each side. Prior to inserting the bung, I welded a tube to the bung which extends the opening on the inside of the tank up to within about 1" of the inside top of the header tank. That way, if I have a leak at one of the lower wing tank fittings, I will not lose fuel (not all of it anyway) from the header tank. Plus the new bungs are 3/8" which provides less restriction to the flow of fuel into header tank when the wing tank valve is opened. And I do not have a mess of fittings extending down from the header tank to the gascolator or trying to fill the tank through a 1/8" tee at the Primer bung. It makes a "neater" installation. I secured the wing tank valves with adels between the "Vs" at the top of the sissy bar.

Dennis

powers · Post by **powers** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 21:01

I've got a 7AC I'm rebuilding. It has a 65 horse in it. While I have the wings down I'm debating on installing the 5 gal wing tank or tanks. What is the fuel burn on the 65 horse? And is the extra wing tank or tanks a common mod for a stock 7AC?

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 00:39

Average fuel burn on the 65 is around 3.5-4.3gph; you've got 3 hours until tanks are dry. With the 65, you'll see speeds around 85mph giving a range of 215sm with a 30 minute reserve.

If you're simply putting around local with the occasional mid-distance trip; the nose tank will probably be enough. I routinely made flights from Central Kentucky to Georgia and back with only a nose tank and never had problems.

If you’re ever planning on making a serious long X/C (like coast to coast) then a wing tank might be handy. Out west, gas stations are few and far between. But keep in mind, with a full nose tank, one wing tank and the pilot; you'll be close to gross weight. But I'll wager the airplane can haul the load.

Ask your self: What's the mission?

nkh

powers · Post by **powers** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:36

I'm thinking about puting the Wag Aero 10 gal wing tanks in my Champ. I have not flown my champ yet, because its a project. What do you guys use for planed fuel burn on a 65 horse engine. Also, does anyone know what the weight penalty is for the 5 gal tank in each wing install? Lastly, is it a common thing to see a 65 horse champ with such a large fuel capacity?

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 13:22

You can figure 30 pounds a side ( 5 x 6) for each tank plus the weight of the tank which probably doesn't amount to much. So you're adding, 70# total weight, give or take a little. Now add the orginal 13 gallon weight of 78# and I guess you'd have around 150# of fuel on board or around 23 gallons, but probably not all useable. If your little 65 burns 4 gallons per hour that would give you over 5 hours which is more than most of us can take with our bladders

Also, if your empty weight is around 800# and you put 150# of fuel on board, that leaves around 270# useful load for pilot and passenger, etc. That would be OK for me as I only weigh around 155# (if I'm alone), but it might be a problem for others. I do know they'll probably carry more than the 1220# GW, but that's not chiseled in stone either.

Having said that, if you want to lower the pucker factor when you're traveling around, I would opt for at least one tank. Unless you're mostly local airport hopping as Nathan said. Keep in mind also that you don't have to fill the tanks, but it's a nice option to have.

You might check my math, but those are my thoughts. BTW I'm rebuilding a set of wings as we speak and am going to install wing tanks, although I'll have either a C85 or 0200 for an engine.

Mike Berg

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 13:57

I would install one 5 gal wing tank. If you plan a engine upgrade the fuel tank would be installed. If I could find one, the fuselage aux tank should work well. It would allow the CG to move aft and help with the flying aspects.
Paul

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 14:31

Paul Agaliotis wrote:If you plan a engine upgrade....

Very good point!

nkh

Post by **joea** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 17:25

Nathan K. Hammond wrote:
Paul Agaliotis wrote:If you plan a engine upgrade....
Very good point!

nkh

Always better to plan ahead and it helps the resale value of the plane just in case you want to move up to a real airplane... a Sedan. One with four seats and controls... you know, a real airplane!

Joe

(flak suit on!)

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 08:18

I thought long and hard about adding a wing tank to my TAC. The standard tanking is 12 gal for about 2 3/4 hr range with the A65. I didn,t install the wing tanks and I am happy with the airplane. But, on the last trip to Casa Grande range was a concern.
From Blythe CA to Buckeye AZ is about 145 mi. The TAC rumbles along about 75 mph making a 2hr flight out of it. The headwind was about 20 direct on the nose with an ETE of 2 hrs 48 min. This is where the added tank would be useful. With an 85 installed it would be NoGo. We landed with "enough" fuel for the intended flight.
I,m not sorry for not adding the tank as the TAC flies like a feather. But you need more options if you are undertanked.
Paul

WWhunter · Post by **WWhunter** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 08:12

Since the subject of tankage was brought up on another site I figured I would put in my $00.01 worth of experience.
My Champ was rebuilt with a 13 gallon tank in EACH wing plus it still retains the 13 gallon header. It does have an O-235 so fuel burn is nearly double of the C-65. But I am so glad that the guy that rebuilt this 7AC put in the additional tanks. Do I always use them? No, but they sure are nice when I do need them. I fly on floats in the summer and getting gas up here in the north country can be a bugger. When I fly around just lake hopping with my buddies, they have to carry extra fuel cans in the back whereas I filll up before our "playing" and don't have to worry about landing someplace and putting in fuel out of cans.

I am currently building a Murphy Rebel and I am building the wings with 44 gallons. I may be using the Rotax 912UL which has a minimal fuel burn. Sure I will be adding weight to the plane but over the years of my flying I have found it is VERY nice to have extra fuel on board. I can't tell you how many times I have been on a cross country and landed at a little out of the way strip and they are closed....NO FUEL. Now-a-days this isn't as much of an issue with automated pumps but they are known to not work.

Okay, I'll quit rambling but if it were me I would spend the money now while everything is apart and put in the biggest tanks I could.

Keith