> >I have been thinking long and hard about the possibility of not installing >my aluminum header tank and just sticking with the two outboard wing tanks. >Dene Collett ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dene, I have tanks in the outboard wing panels only, no header tank. Check out http://mysite.verizon.net/flesner/22.jpg They are 10 inches from the forward spar rearward and run the entire length of the outer wing except for the tips. Each wing holds 12 1/2 gallon. With no gravity feed and no engine driven fuel pump, I use a small backup battery for emergency power if I lose my main electrical buss. I use dual electrical fuel pumps. Located between the shutoff valve from each wing is a T fitting that goes to the two pumps which are plumbed in parallel. With this setup I can pump from either or both tanks with either or both pumps. My backup system saved the day at the12 hour mark in testing when I lost my main electrical buss due to a bad connection in the master switch circuit. I'm using capacitance fuel probes that are not very accurate at the moment, due I think to a need to re-calibrate. My shutoff valves are located on the forward side of the spar between the pilots legs and the fuel pumps are on the cabin floor just below them. I built a panel to cover them. In the following photo you can just see the ends of the shutoff valve handles and the "emergency" (red) panel on the bottom of the instrument panel. http://mysite.verizon.net/flesner/2.jpg I like the idea of not having any fuel tanks internal to the fuselage and gain the additional advantage of the fuel load not being carried by the wing attach fittings. My C.G. moves forward 1 inch from full to empty tanks. The tanks are well baffled, I get no noticeable sloshing and feel no ill effects on handling. I have never had a problem with the pumps priming or pulling fuel from the tanks. 270 hours and no problems. As always, your results may vary. :-) Larry Flesner
