Roger Lee Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I have now seen a few of the yellow Tygon fuel site tubes that have more than a year in service with 91 octane. Not only have these hoses stained and made fuel hard to see, but they are so hard they may as well be solid plastic tubing. The owners told me it was even hard to see the fuel level before they became too dark. The only place they are soft is where the clamp was over them. This tubing doesn't seem to be any better than the clear polyvinyl tubing. Might as well stick with the original tubing since it cost around $2 for the tubing to replace both. When I did my original research all the companies I talked to said the dye in the 91 octane would eventually stain. I was surprised at how hard these Tygon tubes became. They don't seem to want to break even if I force them to bend. I believe the polyvinyl makes it easier to see all the time until they too need replacement. We need to get used to just changing the tubes approximately every 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Hi Roger. Would you please try to get the dimensions of the polyvinyl tubing you're using? There is a thin wall version and a thicker wall version of the tubing. I'd like to know which one you are using. You know, maybe a mm or inch wall thickness with inside dimension or just and inner and outer dim? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 It is the 3/8" ID thin wall. The thick wall will work, but is a huge PITA to work with and get a clamp on. Thin wall works best. "Ace" Aviation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tad Olmsted Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Tom Baker had a great idea and is trying to get approval. He wants to put a red bean in the tube that will float inside and be easier to see the level of fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Tom Baker had a great idea and is trying to get approval. He wants to put a red bean in the tube that will float inside and be easier to see the level of fuel. Excellent idea. Since mine is ELSA, I wonder if there are any specs/considerations on choosing the material, size, etc of the red bean? This would be kind of like the balls in the batter hydrometers, wouldn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tad Olmsted Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Aircraft spruce sells them. l think they were in piper cubs sight gauges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 I like the red bean idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Red bean or Jelly bean once the tubes stain your done. While they are clear the level is easy enough to see. This was explored 5 years ago and nothing came of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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