PA-20 Fuel Tank question

[dgapilot]

If you have the skylight installation, a better option is to go with PA-18 tanks and the wing root sight gages.


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[Doug Engwis]

If you have the skylight installation, a better option is to go with PA-18 tanks and the wing root sight gages.

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I love that idea and would definitely prefer over the sight glass tubes. I am planning on the skylight STC, now if I could source to PA-18 tanks I’d be a happy camper.
Great Suggestion!

Doug

[dgapilot]

Yeah, the tanks are the hard part. Seems TriPacer tanks are readily available for under $400, but PA-18 tanks don't seem to be anywhere around. An option would be the Dakota Cub STCd 23 gallon tanks, but that's expensive and still would need either a Field Approval or DER Approval. The cheapest option would be to weld the connector tubes (14344) on your tanks per view L-L and K-K and Figures 5 and 6 of drawing 10849. Then just use a pipe plug where your sight gages go. Still need some type of approval, but would work just fine.

[andya]

Wouldn't installing PA-18 tanks require a field approval?

[Steve Pierce]

Weld the nipples into the existing tanks, that is all Piper did.

[dgapilot]

Wouldn't installing PA-18 tanks require a field approval?

Yes, but the tank is from the same drawing so not really a big deal. The gages are approved on another airplane, so again the approval isn't a big deal. I have a request in to use the Dakota Cub fuel gage on my PA-16 since I'll have the skylight and that opens up the wing root for the cub gages. If you local FSDO isn't keen on field approvals, I can do a DER approval.

[Vagabondblues]

Yes, but the tank is from the same drawing so not really a big deal. The gages are approved on another airplane, so again the approval isn't a big deal. I have a request in to use the Dakota Cub fuel gage on my PA-16 since I'll have the skylight and that opens up the wing root for the cub gages. If you local FSDO isn't keen on field approvals, I can do a DER approval.

I may be wrong, but isn't the aileron cables on the PA-20 going to intersect with the added fuel gauge? In other words the 16 and 18 aileron cables do not go near the gauge, while the 20 cables do go near the proposed fuel gauge, it may clear, if not just barely.

Not the best for freedom of the flight controls under all conditions or even cutting into a fuel hose.

[dgapilot]

Good point, I’ll have to look into that.


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[Steve Pierce]

We put the sight gauges on the Dakota Cub Super 20 and on Cathy's Tri-Pacer without any interference issues.

[Steve Pierce]

I went and looked because I couldn't remember the details. Todd is correct, there is an interference issue. We extended the gauges out to clear the cables. Plan is to make aluminum wing root panels with a mid break to allow clearance for the cables.
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