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Date:  3-11-2008
Number of Hours:  3.30
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Wrestled with Fuel Selector Valve Installation

It was time to install the fuel selector valve in the mid cockpit console, just under the throttle quadrant console. The fuel valve that comes with the kit looks like it came off of a tractor, so I, like many other RV builders, purchased an Andair fuel selector valve. It is a quality piece of equipment, made by a manufacturer who also makes parts for Airbus airliners. The plans call for a support bracket for the Vans fuel selector valve, but it is too small for the Andair valve. So, I set about fabricating a wider bracket for the Andair valve out of 3/4" aluminum angle and .035" aluminum plate. It was a thing of beauty, with countersunk rivets and screws to hold everything together in a rigid setup. When I put the valve in the bracket and then put the console cover on, however, the whole setup was too thick, so the knob on the valve would not operate correctly. Sheesh! After some head scratching, I determined that the angles (which were the culprits adding too much thickness to the equasion) were overkill. This is not a control that is going to take a lot of stress. It still needs to be rigid, so that the fuel lines do not flex and crack, but a simple .060" doubler should do the trick. I fabricated the doubler and drilled it to fit the valve and the console cover. The doubler also fits tightly between the longeron and the console angle, so that it will not be flexing. Next, I have to rivet the doubler to the console cover, but it is too late tonight and I am going to bed. Although it took all night to fabricate one little part and make it fit, it was a fun session. The symphony music was really nice tonight and the little engineering puzzle wasa nice challenge.
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The superbly engineered, but too thick, fuel selector valve support bracket

The superbly engineered, but too thick, fuel selector valve support bracket

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Out with the bracket and in with the simple .040

Out with the bracket and in with the simple .040" aluminum doubler

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Here is how the little stinker looks from the cockpit

Here is how the little stinker looks from the cockpit

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