Stratus clunk line.

[Inspector Fuzz]

What length clunk line is everyone putting on their Stratus? I have the clunk set so that the clunk clears the opposite side of the tank by about a quarter inch. However, I can't seem to drain all of the fuel out of the tank, even with the fuel magnet. Is any one running a longer line? If so how long? With engine vibration and thrashing around I don't see how the clunk could get stuck, even with a longer line. Also, despite making the hole tight, and blow testing under water, my vent fitting still leaks. Any ideas?
Other than the tank issues, the machine flys like butter!!! Damn! It is the nicest flying helicopter I have had my hanks on to date.
JEFF

[sookainian]

Try using some silcon to seal the leak...

I am running the length the menual recomanded, seems fine. Normally i dont drain all the fuel out from the tank. I left abit in the tank to play safe =)

[Fox222]

Build it like this and use a little RTV Silicon on the threads of the nipples before installing the nuts.
http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/support/instructions/stratus_tank_detail_install.pdf

[erniefritz]

actually Fox , we've found out that it's better to put the pickup fitting on the front of the tank instead of the side. if the fitting is on the front of the tank , the line runs back toward the rear of the tank on the right side of the chopper , and as you know the chopper slightly leans toward the right. and if you make the line length just so the fuel magnet slightly clears the back of the tank you'll be able to drain every last drop out of the tank. :wink:

if you've already installed the fitting on the right side of the tank , no worry's , just go get a robart 90' fuel fitting, put about 1" of fuel tubing on the fitting inside the tank then the 90' fitting then make the line + fuel magnet just clear the back of the tank , this works very well also. :wink: :glasses2:

[Rada70]

why doesn't MA update their instructions then?

[Fox222]

That’s the first time I have heard that one. I have read every post I could find on this before I did my first tank and it all led me to go with the instruction miniature released. I have not had any problems with their design but I have only gotten a few flights with it so far. It still drained the tank completely but I am still running a header tank as I have for 15+ years and can’t let go. So I guess there are a lot of approaches to this that work.

[DavidH]

The instructions for the new style tank are correct. Put the fuel fitting on the right side of the tank about in the middle each direction. It was tested in many locations and that location was the most efficient.

It does not matter if the tank is drained completely when defueling. In flight all the fuel will be gotten from the tank and it will be dry when using a fuel magnet.

Most of the other locations it was found that the clunk would hang up at times.

if the fitting is on the front of the tank , the line runs back toward the rear of the tank on the right side of the chopper , and as you know the chopper slightly leans toward the right. and if you make the line length just so the fuel magnet slightly clears the back of the tank you'll be able to drain every last drop out of the tank.

How does the clunk get to the left side of the tank? The tank should be setup for flying the model, not fueling and defueling only.

David

[erniefritz]

when in this position it does get to the left side of the tank because the fitting is in the front about 1 inch from the left. ultimately this is better for flying we've found , since in a hover the magnet is able to pick up all remaining fuel , it's not for defueling purposes.
Same could be said for putting the fitting on the right side with the magnet streched across to the left? how does it get to the right side? :wink:

if you already have your tank set up stock , just put 1" of tubing and a 90 fitting so the clunk goes to the center of the tank then towards the back, this works very well. :wink:

Just sharing what we here in Orlando have found, most of us have switched to the fitting on the front of the tank but ultimately you decide. :wink: Happy Flying...

[erniefritz]

why doesn't MA update their instructions then?

Because it wasn't MA's idea to change the location. according to MA , the stock location is still on the side , several Stratus flyers here have switched since we've found it better to have the fitting on the front... :wink:

[G MAN]

Mine is mounted on the side with a fuel magnet,while in theory i doesn't seem like it would work correctly.But in actual flight testing it draws every drop of fuel from the tank.DOUG

[Rada70]

erniefritz, can you post a picture of your heli. thanks