What do you guys think about fuel line clamping systems. What is the best and what is the worst?
Stainless screw clamps.
Twisting safety wire.
Plastic pinch types.
Oetiker dual ear clamps.
AeroQuip aviation ends.
Others.
Just want to know what the best is. Sometimes it is not obvious. I find in aircraft experience is most times the best method.
Thanks
Fred
Fuel Lines and clamping methods
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sadowin
Re: Fuel Lines and clamping methods
Hi Fred,
I only use safety wire and I put a couple of raps of cloth tape over the tubing first. Screw clamps and plastic pinch clamps can leak.
Never tried any other clamping methods.
Mike
I only use safety wire and I put a couple of raps of cloth tape over the tubing first. Screw clamps and plastic pinch clamps can leak.
Never tried any other clamping methods.
Mike
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dickoreilly
Re: Fuel Lines and clamping methods
Two wraps safety wire twisted directly onto standard 1/4" and 1/8" urethane
(3/8" and 1/4" OD). Half-inch stainless screw clamp directly onto thick-wall
1/2" OD x 1/4" ID urethane, which is what I use from fuel tank to elec. pump,
then to Mikuni pump. I use the smaller line from the Mikuni to the carbs.
Of course, AeroQuip is the standard for certified aircraft and works
beautifully. It is expensive, heavy and I don't know how you would adapt that
system to a Thunder Gull. Or why.
Dick O'Reilly
(3/8" and 1/4" OD). Half-inch stainless screw clamp directly onto thick-wall
1/2" OD x 1/4" ID urethane, which is what I use from fuel tank to elec. pump,
then to Mikuni pump. I use the smaller line from the Mikuni to the carbs.
Of course, AeroQuip is the standard for certified aircraft and works
beautifully. It is expensive, heavy and I don't know how you would adapt that
system to a Thunder Gull. Or why.
Dick O'Reilly
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blaswichk
Re: Fuel Lines and clamping methods
Hi Fred,
My plane came with an assortment of clamps and safety wiring, and I changed most of them out. I liked the little spring steel band clamps the best, and found them at my local NAPA store. I used them where-ever the fittings have barbs, and on the metal tube that goes into the fuel tank, I used two band clamps and safety wired in between them as there was no barb. Some guys like safety wiring only, and I guess that's fine, but I like the fast installation of the band clamps and they look like a good fit, and I use them as much as I can.
kb
My plane came with an assortment of clamps and safety wiring, and I changed most of them out. I liked the little spring steel band clamps the best, and found them at my local NAPA store. I used them where-ever the fittings have barbs, and on the metal tube that goes into the fuel tank, I used two band clamps and safety wired in between them as there was no barb. Some guys like safety wiring only, and I guess that's fine, but I like the fast installation of the band clamps and they look like a good fit, and I use them as much as I can.
kb
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earthstaraircraft
Re: Fuel Lines and clamping methods
In a message dated 8/11/2011 5:35:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
gayford@golden.net writes:
What do you guys think about fuel line clamping systems. What is the best
and what is the worst?
Stainless screw clamps.
Twisting safety wire.
Plastic pinch types.
Oetiker dual ear clamps.
AeroQuip aviation ends.
Others.
Just want to know what the best is. Sometimes it is not obvious. I find in
aircraft experience is most times the best method.
Thanks
Fred
Hi Fred
My favorite and the only one that I recommend for the 1/4 urethane fuel
line is the double rap of . 032 safety wire twisted about 3/4 inch and cut
than bend the tail in half to touch the tube so it does not cut you while you
are working near it later.
It is reliable, it works, it is always available in your tool kit, all you
need is some safety wire and safety wire pliers, it is the only way I
recommend for the suction side of the fuel line were a small airleak caused by a
worm drive clamp or similar will cause an engine failure due to air
sucking in through the fuel pump. This has ben the most common caus of forst
landings.
And did I say it is cheep!
Happy Flying
Mark
gayford@golden.net writes:
What do you guys think about fuel line clamping systems. What is the best
and what is the worst?
Stainless screw clamps.
Twisting safety wire.
Plastic pinch types.
Oetiker dual ear clamps.
AeroQuip aviation ends.
Others.
Just want to know what the best is. Sometimes it is not obvious. I find in
aircraft experience is most times the best method.
Thanks
Fred
Hi Fred
My favorite and the only one that I recommend for the 1/4 urethane fuel
line is the double rap of . 032 safety wire twisted about 3/4 inch and cut
than bend the tail in half to touch the tube so it does not cut you while you
are working near it later.
It is reliable, it works, it is always available in your tool kit, all you
need is some safety wire and safety wire pliers, it is the only way I
recommend for the suction side of the fuel line were a small airleak caused by a
worm drive clamp or similar will cause an engine failure due to air
sucking in through the fuel pump. This has ben the most common caus of forst
landings.
And did I say it is cheep!
Happy Flying
Mark
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fgayford
Re: Fuel Lines and clamping methods
Thanks Guys
I have an assortment that came with my JT2.
I know that the stainless screw clamps have caused a lot of problems so thats out for me.
The Titan guys were talking about a engine in flight losing power mysteriously and it turned out to be air being sucked in to the fuel line through a bad clamp. I think he also had a engine out and forced landing.
I just want to eliminate problems before they happen. Learning from others mistakes seems easier some how.
Thanks to all
Fred
I have an assortment that came with my JT2.
I know that the stainless screw clamps have caused a lot of problems so thats out for me.
The Titan guys were talking about a engine in flight losing power mysteriously and it turned out to be air being sucked in to the fuel line through a bad clamp. I think he also had a engine out and forced landing.
I just want to eliminate problems before they happen. Learning from others mistakes seems easier some how.
Thanks to all
Fred