Fuel Monitor

[Jamez]

On my Shuttle, the fuel tank is forward, and the engine is behind it. This makes the tank almost impossiable to see in flight!, if I need to see how much fuel is left, I have to land and look in the damn thing. Anybody got any Ideas (with out butchering the canopy, as I like it the shape it is).

[marktigere1]

Hi

I always found hovering tail in to me was enough for me to see the fuel tank level without landing. I use Contest 10 which is red so this makes it a lot easier.

Must admit the fuel tank position is not the Shuttles best feature. (Everything else is though :lol)

Cheers

Mark

[Stuart]

Other than putting a 2.0z header tank on. When you see that start to empty then its time to get down.....on my .90 it doesn't last long but on a .30 it will give you a few minutes.

[bibs]

That's an excellent idea, I might do that myself this weekend.

Or I would just use the timer on the tx and make sure that 6/7 mins would be enough before landing to check the fuel?

[Dedcalm]

You could always use some fuel dye, I have some Model Technics fluorescent pink dye which is great. I also use it in my flying wings tank as it is external, easy to see on a low flypast.

Rob

[Jamez]

Header

Looks like a header is the way to go, as I have been using bright red/pink fuel, keep an eye on the gallery to see it installed when I get it. Thanks everyone.

[Dedcalm]

Header tank will improve the fuel mixture through out the tank as it will help to even out the change in fuel pressure between a full and empty main tank. As you say they are more visible that the main tank. Both my heli's have header tanks, seem to be pretty standard these days.

Rob

[Quattro]

if you think its hard to see your tank in your shuttle you should try it in a scale body. tamiya do a fuel indicator for there cars i use these in my scalers set it to wich ever level you want i set mine to empty then i get a red light letting me know im on the header tank only (bingo fuel bring her in ) i think ebay sells a lot of them not very expensive
the other alternative is to get good at autos :lol:

[G-DAVE]

When I fly scale I have my TX stopwatch set and land after 15 mins or whatever time suits the size of your tank.
Dave

[mo]

Hi Guys.
There seems to be quite a bit of consternation over running out of fuel while flying, athough I have only been flying a relatively short time, I found out, accidentely and with no other choice, that it was quite an easy task to auto when your tank ran dry, and now in fact do this every time at the end of the session to save pumping out and to leave a dry motor.
If your worries only imply to scale models, having never flown scale but having one in the stocks, I would be more than interested to know, whether a scale model is an entirely different kettle of fish when it comes to doing auto's.
GOOD FLYING.
Mo.

[G-DAVE]

I can auto with the best - but usually when I decide - I once saw a british champion , who could auto onto a hanky in auto spot comps - have a unplanned engine cut ,I then watched as he slammed his pride and joy into the tarmac at Barkeston Heath.
So ever since I have always tried to plan an engine on landing.
Dave :lol:

[Quattro]

Auto's with a scaler are much the same but a lot of scale guys run lower head speeds also take into cosideration extra weight and more sluggish turns and more expense when it bounces so as a rule i dont try to auto my scalers that much

[mo]

Thanks Dave and quattro', you have answered my question, you can be sure that autos will not be attempted by me when flying scale models.
At this stage of my game, I am not even going to attempt to fly the thing myself until has been flown by someone with far greater experience.

Thanks Again.
GOOD FLYING.
Mo.

[philiphenderson]

Header tank will improve the fuel mixture through out the tank as it will help to even out the change in fuel pressure between a full and empty main tank. As you say they are more visible that the main tank. Both my heli's have header tanks, seem to be pretty standard these days.

Rob

I thought it was know that this isn't the case. Header tanks are nothing but bubble traps.

You need to run a uniflow setup for this.

Phil.

[chappers]

if only you knew what it meant phill?