No Room For UAT...
#1
Thread Starter
No Room For UAT...
Hey Guys,
I have an installation I'm doing on a Y/A F-16. This is the now out-of-production ARF version that has a very nice cockpit. The problem is that since I'm installing the cockpit, the regular-sized UAT will not fit anywhere in the plane with the Jet-Tech tanks installed. I've got a little header tank built from a 2-ounce DuBro tank (the hard plastic) with the pickup being a 3/16" brass tube that terminates in the center of the tank. No bag, no felt, just suspended where there shouldn't be any bubbles unless the main tanks run dry. Would you use it?
I know some guys won't fly without a genuine UAT, and other guys have thousands of trouble-free flights without ever having used one. What do you think?
I have an installation I'm doing on a Y/A F-16. This is the now out-of-production ARF version that has a very nice cockpit. The problem is that since I'm installing the cockpit, the regular-sized UAT will not fit anywhere in the plane with the Jet-Tech tanks installed. I've got a little header tank built from a 2-ounce DuBro tank (the hard plastic) with the pickup being a 3/16" brass tube that terminates in the center of the tank. No bag, no felt, just suspended where there shouldn't be any bubbles unless the main tanks run dry. Would you use it?
I know some guys won't fly without a genuine UAT, and other guys have thousands of trouble-free flights without ever having used one. What do you think?
#4
Senior Member
RE: No Room For UAT...
Hi, I would say it depends on the total fuel setup.
1) 1 fuel tank and the clunck reaches all corners no uat needed
2) 2 parallel fuel tanks UAT mandatory
3) 2 fuel tanks in line, and cluck can reach all corners in the first tank seen from the pump no UAT needed.
Btw I always use a uat (and some times 2 in line) most of the time overkill but better save than sorry IF you have the space.
My 2 cents
Mick.
1) 1 fuel tank and the clunck reaches all corners no uat needed
2) 2 parallel fuel tanks UAT mandatory
3) 2 fuel tanks in line, and cluck can reach all corners in the first tank seen from the pump no UAT needed.
Btw I always use a uat (and some times 2 in line) most of the time overkill but better save than sorry IF you have the space.
My 2 cents
Mick.
#7
RE: No Room For UAT...
ORIGINAL: John H.
Use a felt clunk works great.
John
Use a felt clunk works great.
John
I do that in my Kolibri powerd planes(funjet ultra and Baiojet), it does work well as those planes always flies with G-load.However on a slowflyer jet you will see zero G manovers where the clunk is at the back of the tank and the fuel in front and a flame out might occur.
#8
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RE: No Room For UAT...
I would also go with the GBR Jet CAT, had the same problem in our Flash, the install we wanted, didnt allow the use of a standard BVM UAT so we used one of Marc's Composite Air Traps, nothing wrong with any of the UAT's weve used before but you cant beat the quality, weight and cosmetics of the CAT's.
Kind Regards
Jame
Kind Regards
Jame
#9
RE: No Room For UAT...
ORIGINAL: marc s
One of these should help, bubble trap and can be stood on end - Todd (Dreamworks) sells them
PM me if you need some advice on them.
marcs
One of these should help, bubble trap and can be stood on end - Todd (Dreamworks) sells them
PM me if you need some advice on them.
marcs
#12
Join Date: Jul 2006
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RE: No Room For UAT...
Sean
I bought my last lot off US Ebay. They are not quite as common now as they used to be as the cars they were for are vintage!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUv7j...4&feature=plcp
If you have a look at this video this plane has 2 tanks one drawing though the other and no UAT. The video ends before the plane runs out of fuel but you will get the idea that the pleated paper filter pickup will work until the tank is nearly empty. We have flown this glider till the tanks were empty several times and the engine does not stop however extreme the manoeuvres. Plenty of negative G manoeuvres, 10 G positive and -6 G negative.
I am about to make some pick ups for myself if you PM me I can make an extra one up for you.
John
I bought my last lot off US Ebay. They are not quite as common now as they used to be as the cars they were for are vintage!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUv7j...4&feature=plcp
If you have a look at this video this plane has 2 tanks one drawing though the other and no UAT. The video ends before the plane runs out of fuel but you will get the idea that the pleated paper filter pickup will work until the tank is nearly empty. We have flown this glider till the tanks were empty several times and the engine does not stop however extreme the manoeuvres. Plenty of negative G manoeuvres, 10 G positive and -6 G negative.
I am about to make some pick ups for myself if you PM me I can make an extra one up for you.
John
#14
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RE: No Room For UAT...
I have a L39 Wren 44 powered. It has two tanks in series and a small 2 oz header just as you described. I usually land with one tank half full and never have bubbles in the header providing there is no leaks etc.
#16
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RE: No Room For UAT...
Use a felt clunk works great.
#17
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RE: No Room For UAT...
modern turbines can cope much better with the odd air bubble
A UAT provides other functions as well, if you have a faulty fuel system with an air leak the UAT will show evidence of this, a tank may not and is often not visible at a quick glance. A UAT is also a fuel reserve, just about every fuel propelled vehicle and aircraft has one so why not an RC jet, and that extra fuel gives you a margin to play with too should you get delayed in your landing plans.
marcs
#18
RE: No Room For UAT...
Hey shawn what fittings are those on your main tanks? looks like your clunk line has the ability screw in. and whats the inner diameter of your vents you installed?
im considering making my own for my next projects since I need 4 and that adds up, plus i just like to build things.
im considering making my own for my next projects since I need 4 and that adds up, plus i just like to build things.
#19
RE: No Room For UAT...
ORIGINAL: FenderBean
Hey shawn what fittings are those on your main tanks? looks like your clunk line has the ability screw in.
Hey shawn what fittings are those on your main tanks? looks like your clunk line has the ability screw in.
Those have been around a while.. Todd has them for the custom tank builder type guys.
#20
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RE: No Room For UAT...
ORIGINAL: marc s
A UAT provides other functions as well, if you have a faulty fuel system with an air leak the UAT will show evidence of this, a tank may not and is often not visible at a quick glance. A UAT is also a fuel reserve, just about every fuel propelled vehicle and aircraft has one so why not an RC jet, and that extra fuel gives you a margin to play with too should you get delayed in your landing plans.
marcs
A UAT provides other functions as well, if you have a faulty fuel system with an air leak the UAT will show evidence of this, a tank may not and is often not visible at a quick glance. A UAT is also a fuel reserve, just about every fuel propelled vehicle and aircraft has one so why not an RC jet, and that extra fuel gives you a margin to play with too should you get delayed in your landing plans.
marcs
#21
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RE: No Room For UAT...
Just to clarify mine are not £60 for the 'standard size' type unit, and more importantly many simple plastic bottles collapse under suction - which as I am sure you know is not the best condition to subject your fuel pump to when trying to deliver a constant fuel supply to a turbine.
I'm thinking by the time you have faffed around buying the container, adding the pipe/fittings and making sure it does not leak, then mounting it surely £30 something odd is not exactly a kings ransom..... oh and I forgot the cost of your time too.
marcs
I'm thinking by the time you have faffed around buying the container, adding the pipe/fittings and making sure it does not leak, then mounting it surely £30 something odd is not exactly a kings ransom..... oh and I forgot the cost of your time too.
marcs
#23
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RE: No Room For UAT...
ORIGINAL: marc s
Just to clarify mine are not £60 for the 'standard size' type unit, and more importantly many simple plastic bottles collapse under suction - which as I am sure you know is not the best condition to subject your fuel pump to when trying to deliver a constant fuel supply to a turbine.
I'm thinking by the time you have faffed around buying the container, adding the pipe/fittings and making sure it does not leak, then mounting it surely £30 something odd is not exactly a kings ransom..... oh and I forgot the cost of your time too.
marcs
Just to clarify mine are not £60 for the 'standard size' type unit, and more importantly many simple plastic bottles collapse under suction - which as I am sure you know is not the best condition to subject your fuel pump to when trying to deliver a constant fuel supply to a turbine.
I'm thinking by the time you have faffed around buying the container, adding the pipe/fittings and making sure it does not leak, then mounting it surely £30 something odd is not exactly a kings ransom..... oh and I forgot the cost of your time too.
marcs
UAT's dont need to be made as a copy of the purple one's chemical bottle, any standard fuel tank can be used so long as you say it is rigid enough. I have used the 4&6 oz Dubro ones plus have just sourced some nice square solid ones that would also be ideal.
#24
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RE: No Room For UAT...
Stick with a CAT. Much cheaper than the 'famous' one, doesn't collapse, works perfectly and is only a couple of quid more than faffing around making your own that won't look anywhere near as nice
#25
RE: No Room For UAT...
ORIGINAL: BaldEagel
You can get them at ''In line filters'' in the UK, do a google search.
Mike
You can get them at ''In line filters'' in the UK, do a google search.
Mike
Gordon