I'm feeling awful stupid here.

[thespin]

Okay, so I drilled the nalgene tank for the clunk line on the stratus, and I ended up clipping and clipping and clipping the clunk line until it wouldn't get stuck, and now it's about 2 inches, which I read is okay. The hole for the fuel line is 1.7 inches from the muffler side of the tank, which would make 2/3 of the way from cap. Anyway, the fuel magnet has no hope of picking up fuel if the heli is in a nose dive (the clunk line should be bent into a U shape, but it's too springy. This is with the stock MA clunk line), or if it's rolled onto it's right side (the clunk can't reach the cap end of the bottle). What should I do? Did I drill the tank too close to the muffler side of the tank?

Thanks for the help.

[WayneBrown]

I did pretty much the same thing, except I'm not using the fuel magnet.
So far no flame outs...
You could plug the hole with washers and nut/screw and re-drill a new one, make the 'wrong' hole a fill line, or buy a new tank..
I'd use the 'wrong one' as a fill line, and add another fitting to get the clunk working.

[WillJames]

Once the magnet soaks up full of fuel, it is a lot heavier and will be fine. It seems light when dry, but they work GREAT. No need to worry.

[capebob]

I agree on the Fuel Magnet. I don't know how it work, but it does.

Bob

[Gary O]

I know this is probably not the best way to do it, but I just built a YS version Stratus and by the way you described it, that sounds like what I did. I made my clunk line with the fuel magnet long enough to make it tight in one corner of the tank and I haven't had any problems yet. The way mine is, I would have to be doing a low hurricane with the tank really low and even then it shouldn't be a problem. I'm pretty much sold on the fuel magnet. If you think about it, even on a Tempest or Extreme, the clunk can only go side to side, not front to back.

[Zilly]

I have to say I found even when soaked my fuel magnet did NOT pick up fuel towards the last 1/3 of the tank as as I started getting past 1/2 empty and doing a few aeros the header tank would gradually start to catch more and more air.

This was using MA clunk line and follwing EXACTLY what the manual said to do.

So what I did was go back to hayes fuel line (more flexible and I added some weight to my Magnet in the form of a disk of lead. Now even though my clunk lilne is 2 inches long the weight of the clunk bends it in all directions and I drain the tank.

befire this I had achieved reasonable results with a heavy normal clunk, the modified Fuel Magnet however is perfect.

z

[thespin]

I filled the tank with water and it didn't work. I ended up drilling another hole closer to the top, and that didn't work, now the clunk has trouble picking up fuel near the cap side of the tank. I wish I had drilled the hole half way in between those two holes, then it would have worked perfectly :D

By the way, does anyone know anything about the new Stratus tanks? When trying to put one of the fittings in, I accidentally crushed it, so I'd like to can the whole thing and start over with new fittings, a new tank, new line, etc.

[thespin]

Okay, I just weighted it down with 2 washers, and it works a LOT better now, but it still won't drain the tank when it's sideways. How long is the clunk line that everyone is using?

[ChrisLaFollette]

I dont think you would be doing the same manuever thats keeping the fuel magnet from getting fuel for over 30 seconds. It holds a lot of fuel even after the tank is empty. Mine doesnt reach EVERY corner of the tank and so far no problems. I wouldnt worry about it. :dontknow

[Rada70]

Install a fuel magnet, and go fly. I haven't had any problems since I installed it. Just make sure the hole is drilled as per manual instructions.

[Daniel Jetschin]

For that reason you can get a header tank :wink:

[Gary O]

A header tank is not going to make any difference in regards to picking up the fuel in the main tank. I only use header tanks on my Tempests and Extreme's because you can't see the fuel level in the main tank.

[thespin]

Also, a header tank will go dry if the clunk is in air for too long.

I guess I'll just go fly it. Thanks for the help.

[buster1]

I have had the same problem - just build my stratus and had - using a normal clunk and cut the fuel tubing so the clunk does not get caught, but now the clunk does not reach the far corners of the tank.
Any advice here - should I just go fly and refuel before the tank goes below 1/3 - whats the best way to handle this - or is it not a problem,
Thanks,
Jeff

[bathmagic]

i hope MA will pick up the ball and get a new tank out asap
before the synergy kills them


Dale

[WayneBrown]

i hope MA will pick up the ball and get a new tank out asap
before the synergy kills them


Dale
Why, have you been able to buy a Synergy kit?
I hadn't heard they were released yet... maybe this year I guess...