The Murphy Builders Site

FWIW, I have >NEVER< found as much as a drop of water in my Rebel in 8+
years! (and yes I check all 5 drains before every flight!). I used to keep
things filled up, but considering the performance enhancement of running
around home with 1/2 tanks they are generally left this way or less. Many
times the plane sits with ~5 gallons per side in 23 gallon tanks. Yes I am
inside a hangar, but consider that condensation is actually worse inside a
forest green roofed, un-insulated hangar than being outside.... as there are
a few time a year I can actually wash the wings with the condensation on the
bottom of the wings.

That said I would surely rather have 10 gallons left in a 10 gallon tank, vs
10 gallons left in a 50 gallon tank with 30 minutes of flight left to go in
moderate turbulence!! Head pressure and slosh not a concern with the small
tank.....with the 50 you best pick a field now while you can still use the
noise maker to adjust the approach!!

Bill's 5 hours max makes good sense! But that does dictate about 100US
gallons with a 300+HP engine! My GSO-480's (340HP Supercharged) burn 17 to
18usg/h at ~60% power. If I push the throttle up a big notch to 75-80% it
burns about 30usg/hr (take off @3400rpm & 45in Man pressure is 52usg/hr).
The one thing I hate about the UTVA's is they only hold 66us gallons!
Standard SR/Moose 80 gallons tanks would work for almost 95% of the flying I
do and I suspect 99% of everyone elses here. Need more fuel, as Bob says,
fly it into base camp or take it along to the end of the trip where there's
no fuel and then climb up and dump it in to go back. I do this anytime I fly
a UTVA to my mothers as there is never anyone at her end to pump fuel on a
week day. I put 9 x 5 gallon cans where the back seat belongs and strap them
in. I'm generally less concerned about carrying the full cans (after
squeezing with my knees to remove all air/fumes and tightening caps) than I
am carrying the emptyies back home!

Cheers,
Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Baker" <rebaker@ftc-i.net>
To: <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:43 PM
Subject: fuel tank size

The one modification we have done to our Elite that I would not repeat
is the upsize from 44 US gallons to 58. It was an aggravation working
around the strut attach for one. Also, it requires that much more fuel
(and lessened payload) to keep the tanks full to avoid condensation.
Unless there is a specific need it seems to me that 44 gallons in the
Rebel/Elite is enough.
Ralph Baker

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For size I had 2x40 as that was all on offer at the time for the Moose,
however during the 3500 upgraded I decided to pull the completed and
prosealed tanks apart to increase to 120. The extra work around the
strut wasn't a lot, at least relative to the extra work I brought upon
myself. I decided to make the strut area wet and can inspect via the
fuel hole as well as a removeable inspection cover. I suppose 100 would
be enough for most and lessen the work some what. I'll be operating in
the western canadian shield flying north/south not east/west over the
plains so I'll need two way fuel. Would I do it again? Well I haven't
learned yet as I just unbuttoned the elevator to mod and dimple and the
stab is next (and fortunately last) on the list.
Warren

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Baker" <rebaker@ftc-i.net>
To: <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:43 PM
Subject: fuel tank size

The one modification we have done to our Elite that I would not repeat
is the upsize from 44 US gallons to 58. It was an aggravation working
around the strut attach for one. Also, it requires that much more fuel
(and lessened payload) to keep the tanks full to avoid condensation.
Unless there is a specific need it seems to me that 44 gallons in the
Rebel/Elite is enough.
Ralph Baker

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