ELSA Carbon Cub SS Fuel tank options

[NuclearMedia]

Since the empty weight issue is removed when the carbon cub ss is built as an elsa, will there be an option for bigger wing tanks? I know there is more space in those wings for bigger tanks.

Jeff

[randylervold]

Extended range fuel tanks are an option currently being developed for the Carbon Cub EX (kit). They will not be offered on the Carbon Cub SS because they add nearly 20 lbs of dead weight and we would not make the 900 lbs empty weight we need for the initial SLSA cert.

I am aware however of a removable 14 gallon tank being developed by a 3rd party that will fit into the baggage compartment. It will plumb into the system, have it's own fuel pump, and be quickly removable. To me that would be the best of both worlds. Also, if you're heading into the back country with the standard tanks just take two or three 5 gallon jugs and refuel once there. Nothing permanent then to add weight to the plane.

Carrying around 20 pounds of fuel tanks that you'd seldom use doesn't seem like a good idea to me. We have sweated every pound, ounce, and even gram out of this plane we can, and one of the reasons the Carbon Cub flys so well is just the light weight. Please, don't pork it up and ruin all our hard work!

[Centmont]

Carrying around 20 pounds of fuel tanks that you'd seldom use doesn't seem like a good idea to me. We have sweated every pound, ounce, and even gram out of this plane we can, and one of the reasons the Carbon Cub flys so well is just the light weight.

A big "I agree" and "amen" to that Randy. Ralph

[NuclearMedia]

Good points Randy. Looking at it from your perspective makes more sense


Thanks for your response.

[rorch]

Hi Guys, I have a CC360 ex I built along with the guys in Yakima. I just installed a 12 gallon aux fuel tank on the floor behind the rear seat. While I have extended baggage, the entire installation is up front where the floor of the cc340 is. I used a flow sensitive fuel pump that was built by J.L.Osborne for Bonanza tip tanks. I then used a plastic below decks marine tank. The pump was mounted on the tank and the fuel and vent line are quick disconnect. Installation or removal takes 2 minutes( really). The entire installation weighs 16.4 lbs but only 1.2 of that stays in when the tank is used( fuel/vent lines). I teed into the top of the left hand sight guage. It takes a bit less than 30 minutes to transfer 12 gallons. I use it for long deliveries and extended back country flying but remove it when I'm just fooling around(light is fun) At any rate it seems to be working good so far. I'll have it at Johnson Creek if anyone wants to see it. The joys of experimental/
Also appreciate the discussion on CHT issues. I struggle with the same with my 360. I'm open for suggestions.
Thanks, Rick

[Springloaded]

Plan is to mount a pump inside pod,I plan on utilizing my smoke system switch already on the panel and has a indicator light on it.

[Scouter]

Extended range fuel tanks are an option currently being developed for the Carbon Cub EX (kit). They will not be offered on the Carbon Cub SS because they add nearly 20 lbs of dead weight and we would not make the 900 lbs empty weight we need for the initial SLSA cert.

I am aware however of a removable 14 gallon tank being developed by a 3rd party that will fit into the baggage compartment. It will plumb into the system, have it's own fuel pump, and be quickly removable. To me that would be the best of both worlds. Also, if you're heading into the back country with the standard tanks just take two or three 5 gallon jugs and refuel once there. Nothing permanent then to add weight to the plane.

Carrying around 20 pounds of fuel tanks that you'd seldom use doesn't seem like a good idea to me. We have sweated every pound, ounce, and even gram out of this plane we can, and one of the reasons the Carbon Cub flys so well is just the light weight. Please, don't pork it up and ruin all our hard work!

Randy was this tank setup ever put in production?

thx

jim

[randylervold]

Randy was this tank setup ever put in production?

thx

jim

Which one? Yes, Extended Range Tanks were made a factory option and add 24 lbs to the empty weight. The tank I was referring to in this old message never made it to market. If big fuel capacity is an objective a company in Oregon did develop a carbon fiber belly pod though that can be configured for either cargo or fuel. I can't remember the capacity but if I remember correctly it's 20-30 gallons.

[Mark Keneston]

Which one? Yes, Extended Range Tanks were made a factory option and add 24 lbs to the empty weight. The tank I was referring to in this old message never made it to market. If big fuel capacity is an objective a company in Oregon did develop a carbon fiber belly pod though that can be configured for either cargo or fuel. I can't remember the capacity but if I remember correctly it's 20-30 gallons.

Like John Hodges, I too would like to see pics of Rick's install and a parts/supplier list. Thank you Mark

[Scouter]

I have been trying a couple ideas this winter for extra fuel. I dont want to stand on the tire and hoist up 6 gallon cans.

My friend in the fish guiding business uses these Nauta flex bag fuel tanks in his boat. They come in various sizes but the one I used was 13 gallons. I put a hydraulic coupler on the out fitting, that connects to a 12 v fuel pump

IMG_3103.jpg

I had some Tygon gasoline hose, that I hooked to the discharge on the pump, and on the other end I put my spare Carbon Cub fuel cap. The pump is a 12 v unit that I got on amazon that is rated at 100 gph flow. I plug it into the cigar lighter accy socket. The male plug in has a built in switch, I was trying to eliminate a sparkIMG_3099.jpg


when you land and want some fuel, you take the tank cap end up on the wing and install it (I took out the blue gasket to let the tank vent), plug in the 12 v plug, open the tank valve and pump away. It takes about 15 mins to pump out 13 gallon, so the pump is quite a bit less than 100 gph
I have used it all winter, and it works ok, but I have some concerns:

I hate to fill it in the plane, so I have been laying it on the ground. it kind of self inflates with the inflowing gas. Then its a struggle to lift up 13 gals of gas sack and get it in the baggage. I lash it down on the corners. I have filled it in place a couple times in the plane, but worry about static. Also the static as the gas is pumped from sack in baggage to wing.
also a fairly good size explosive sack of gas inside the cockpit in a crash


A question for the engineers in Yakima, could the pump discharge be Teed into the under fuselage drain line coming from the right wing to the drain? The pump could be operated in flight to fill the main tanks back up. I have studied the tank piping schematic from the maintainance manual, and both tanks drain to the back drain. If the pump is run at altitude will that pressurize the lines, or not since it is going back up into the tanks that are vented. What about the gascolator carburator? they were designed for gravity flow. Shut one tank off and fill the other? I hate to mess with a fuel system that works well, and sometimes there are things that happen that are unforseen
the system is great in that you take it out when you dont need it, and you have another 13 gals on board
when I took the cub from Maine to FL and return this winter, it came in handy a couple times, but usually when you stop you are at an airport with fuel. It works but is not ideal.
Been looking at these aluminum fuel cells with a built in transfer pump as well

91018661_L_1578e242-5373-4339-88f5-45a5627615c3.jpg

they have some crashworthiness built in, but are heavy Randy! 16 lbs, and are fairly spendy
I like the idea of being able to remove the weight when you dont need the extra fuel. I am also sure cubcrafters could do a much more elegant solution than mine. A really light CF tank that goes in baggage and plugs in


Fireawy

jim