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Fuel pressure warning  This thread currently has 562 views. Print
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radfordc
September 5, 2019, 9:32pm Report to Moderator

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After recently having to do a precautionary landing due to a clogged fuel filter I decided to install this simple warning system to prevent this problem recurring.  This system includes a pressure switch that turns on when fuel pressure falls to 2 psi or below and an indicator lamp to alert you of the low pressure problem.  In practice, the warning lamp will come on giving you enough time to land safely.

The components are....
- Honeywell pressure switch, 2 psi, Normally Closed (NC)
- 12 volt panel lamp
- two position toggle switch
- 1/4" barbed tee brass fitting
- 1/4" barbed to 1/8" female NPT fitting
- short length of 1/4" ID fuel line



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radfordc
September 8, 2019, 7:16pm Report to Moderator

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Installed the pressure switch between the fuel pump and a carb.



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radfordc
September 8, 2019, 7:17pm Report to Moderator

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Installed the lamp and switch.  When the switch is up the lamp is lit until the fuel pressure exceeds 2 psi.



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TreeTopsTom
September 9, 2019, 1:05am Report to Moderator

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Charlie,  NICE!
One ?
If the switch is OFF, the lamp will NOT be able to light? correct?
What if you forget to turn the switch on (I know) , OR accidentally in flight it is turned off?
IE: shouldn't the power to the lamp be through some non inflight interruptible source (Like the main ignition switch) OR should the switch have one of those protective covers on it? Like the RED & Blue switches on this panel.
Just throwing it out there. Not meaning to throw  wrench in the turbo fan.           TTT



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Max SSDR
September 9, 2019, 10:15am Report to Moderator
If it flies, floats or fornicates.... rent it!
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Quoted from radfordc
After recently having to do a precautionary landing due to a clogged fuel filter I decided to install this simple warning system to prevent this problem recurring.  .....


Hi Radford C, I hope you don't mind but I've copied your Low Fuel Warning system and a couple of photos onto the UK Minimax FB page (with credit to you!)?  Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MinimaxUK/

I think it's an excellent idea.
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radfordc
September 9, 2019, 3:58pm Report to Moderator

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Yes, if the switch is Off the warning lamp won't light.  That is why I put the switch next to the ignition switches....when I flip the ignitions on, I also turn on the warning light.  This gives a "self test" feature....I see the light come on before cranking the engine and see the light go out as soon as the engine starts.  At the end of the flight I see the lamp come on as soon as the engine shuts down and then I turn the lamp off so as to not drain the battery.

I've though about other "hands off" ways to do it and haven't come up with anything yet.
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radfordc
September 26, 2019, 9:13pm Report to Moderator

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Tested the plane today after the new fuel system changes.  Everything worked as expected.  Nice day to fly for a change.



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ironnerd
September 27, 2019, 1:06am Report to Moderator
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Greg Doe
September 27, 2019, 3:54am Report to Moderator
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BEAUTIFUL!
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radfordc
September 27, 2019, 7:07pm Report to Moderator

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Flying yesterday, I noticed that something had changed in how the engine ran.  Ever since I've had this engine it's had a quirk...it would not hold a steady rpm between 5500 and 5900.  If you were above 5900 and reduced the throttle slightly the rpm would immediately drop to under 5500.  Likewise if you slowly increased the throttle the rpm would jump to over 5900.

With the new fuel filter this doesn't happen!  It holds any rpm perfectly.  Obviously the old filter was causing a problem all along.
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TreeTopsTom
September 29, 2019, 6:47am Report to Moderator

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Nice when things work out like that Charlie.
That's a beautiful airplane by the way. I was looking REAL HARD at that exact
kit quite a few years back. Cool to see a buzzard flying around in one.       TTT  
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JGlassFNP
October 8, 2019, 12:42pm Report to Moderator

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Great work! One can never have to much redundancy built into their aircraft.
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