header tank bolt breaks in mid flight

[tnreefguy]

I have a header tank mounted on my extreme and it broke after about 5 flights. Is there anyway to keep this from happening. I would hate for this to happen while inverted.

[DavidH]

Is there anyway to keep this from happening.

Take the header tank off. <G>

How do you have the tank mounted? Is the bracket using a short bolt to secure it to the side frame?

David

[tnreefguy]

No its mounted on the side of the frame in the same spot as the boom supports. The bolt goes through the bracked, the end of the support and into the frame just above the skid braket. It really serves me no purpose but to monitor my fuel consuption but the idea to remove it came to mind.

[DavidH]

The vibration is breaking the bolt. And as long as you have it mounted like that it will continue to break.

Why do you have the boom supports mounted to the side frames on the Extreme?
They should be mounted to the landing gear bracket on the rear of the gear.

Anyway the bracket that holds the tank held on with the long bolt is why it is breaking. I would imagine the header tank and bracket is really vibrating when the engine is running. It is sawing right thru the bolt. This is a vibration that you will not see, but it is happening.

David

[tnreefguy]

I am just stupid on the boom supports. The last time I crashed and replaced them I glued the ends on at the same degree. The only place to mount them then was on the sideframes. Next time around they will be put in the right place.

[ChrisLaFollette]

Take the header tank off and put a Fuel Magnet in your tank. Problem solved. Just be sure to watch the fuel closely, the motor will run consistently to the last drop when it cuts. Dont ask me how I know. :) Good thing I was up high enough to auto. :lol:

[tnreefguy]

Thanks Chris and David for the hints.

[hjscm]

Take the header tank off and put a Fuel Magnet in your tank. Problem solved. Just be sure to watch the fuel closely, the motor will run consistently to the last drop when it cuts. Dont ask me how I know. :) Good thing I was up high enough to auto. :lol:

that is funny this was my first weekend running the fuel magnet. and yes you are right it runs constant till the last drop. i was about 20' up and in FFF when it died. luckily got it down safely but far away. long walk. definetly watch the fuel consumption.

[3DME]

If you want a header tank these are held on with two bolts and they dont leak if you use a YS. They bolt over the rear fan shroud mount. Click on link below for price and pictures.

www.carbonfiberrcparts.com/miniaircraft/index.html


Mike

[KenChoo]

Use an aluminum spacer that your bolt can run through (between the frame and the bracket holding the header tank. Will see if I can send you a pic...

Ken

[DavidH]

That is how I mount my header tank on my F3C heli. On the Tempest I use a frame spacer that is threaded on both ends. I attach one end to the frame and the other end the tank bracket attaches. Been using it this way a couple of years with no failure.

David

[WillJames]

3DME's Header tanks are the best in the business. Check them out. If I ran header tanks I would be using one of Mikes.

[3DME]

Thanks Will that means alot coming fom you. Come on Will, lets put a header tank on that Ion. :lol:

Mike

[tnreefguy]

I have talked to the vendor about that particular tank. He is going to send me one as soon as some of the items he has backorder come in. Thanks for all of the hints.

[3DME]

Yes I am waiting on the outlet fitting, it should be here on Monday. I changed the style of fuel fittings I use with the header tanks. The over flow fitting (the one on top of the tank) needed to be a 90 degree fitting because no matter what you use it on the line needs to bend in some direction 90 degrees. I cannot think of an application where the line will go straight up. I have a bunch of the 90 degree fittings but I am waiting on the one that goes in the cap.

Mike

[Inspector Fuzz]

I ditched my header tank a year ago and am not missing it.. I do not use a fuel magnet, I just make sure the extra soft line I get from MA is fresh and the right length..
JEFF