Fuel selector un reachable

[Marauder]

Anyone have the dimensions of the PVC they used?

[scottfromiowa]

Age is an excuse...

[Marauder]

Age is an excuse...

16 years of football is an even bigger excuse...

[KSMooniac]

On a J, the gasolator is a stretch between my feet, but the fuel selector between seats is easy to reach.

 

Unfortunately my '77 retained the old selector/gascolator combo that is under the pilot's knees.  I believe in '78+ they (wisely) moved the selector to the base of the center console.  It is much easier to reach there, even for a 41 year old.    I've transplanted the console from an '81 into my '77, but so far I haven't moved the selector.  That might be next year...

[HRM]

Ok, maybe I'm too fat. Maybe I'm too stiff. Maybe I,m too short with short arms . I don't know.  But I am more fun than a bunch of parrots in a Mooney (Ha HA , that a joke Parrot Wizzard) 

 

But the fuel selector in the M20 E is just impossible to operate. 

 

In the pattern , Fuel selector to fullest tank. Boy I better be 2000 feet above pattern altitude. Because I have to put my head under the yoke to reach the blimey thing. Mooney are not aerobatic, but really they are.........

 

So, I have seen this piece of PVC pipe notched out to fit the fuel selector valve and you can turn it without rolling the plane.

 

Well, first let me say nonsense to "the fuel selector in the M20 E is just impossible to operate." 

 

If it is hard to turn then it needs maintenance.

 

Get a piece of 1" PVC pipe, cut a notch in one end, put a PVC cap on the other end. Not rocket science, nothing special needed, works great.

 

​I put a hole in the cap and threaded a loop of heavy nylon cord through it to use as a hanger.

[dcrogers11]

Here's the one I built sometime back.

 

[Hector]

Anyone have the dimensions of the PVC they used?

Ok. Take a look at the pictures for the one I built. Mine is roughly around 11.25 inches total length. The notch at the end that engages the selector valve is around half inch long by 5/16 wide. This works pretty well for me. Not too big, not too short. I would adjust the total length to whatever works best for you.

[Hector]

Don't know why the pictures did not come thru. Let's try again.

[Marauder]

Ok. Take a look at the pictures for the one I built. Mine is roughly around 11.25 inches total length. The notch at the end that engages the selector valve is around half inch long by 5/16 wide. This works pretty well for me. Not too big, not too short. I would adjust the total length to whatever works best for you.

Perfect Hector! Thanks for the dimensions!

[dcrogers11]

Good job on the PVC handle.  For a really nice touch, you could send it to Aero Comfort and have it leather wrapped for a small fee.      I started to paint mine but haven't got around to it.  

 

Don

[DrBill]

Here are pictures of mine.  Works great. Use 3/4 PVC and a single T fitting. Note Align the slot with the "T" for proper orientation  prior to glue.

 

[bonal]

I find that if I buy a larger pair of pants my fat belly will expand to fill the gap so I try to stick to the same size to prevent me from getting fatter using the fuel selector extension device may have the same effect.

[1964-M20E]

My guess is you are less than 50. Am I right?

For me yes    at least one more year.  However, when the tank is empty and the bladder is full it makes reaching the valve interesting but I have the cheater pipe for those cases.  However, I guess as long as the fan is still turning up front it can be used to dry out anything that would get wet in the process of changing tanks.   

[1964-M20E]

Ok. Take a look at the pictures for the one I built. Mine is roughly around 11.25 inches total length. The notch at the end that engages the selector valve is around half inch long by 5/16 wide. This works pretty well for me. Not too big, not too short. I would adjust the total length to whatever works best for you.

Kids don't do this without adult supervision.   

[HRM]

Here's the one I built sometime back.

 

Way too complicated 

[scottfromiowa]

Watch out. DEA will think it is a bong...

[scottfromiowa]

16 years of football is an even bigger excuse...

On the couch eating while watching?

[Marauder]

On the couch eating while watching?

I wish... If I was a couch potato, I probably wouldn't be dealing with all the aches and pains of playing organized ball.

[Stefanovm]

I am 65+, 5' 11" and 180 pounds, so maybe I do not fit the given requirements of age related challenges, just short arms. My Mooney's fuel selector valve turns relatively easy and I have used harder ones, not necessarily Mooneys. If I push my seat back two notches and put up with accidently pushing the yoke one way or another, in the process, I have no problem. IMC requires me to plan the process to avoid vertigo and other navigation loss requirements. I do tank changes at altitude, within gliding distance to a landing site, as someone else mentioned, just in case something not desired happens. Pushing back two notches is the way I cruise or the bend in my legs causes my feet to go to sleep, so when I change tanks I am usually in the proper position. Maybe I need a roomier airplane than a Mooney?  NAW, all airplanes have little challenges similar to this one. This one does not over shadow the good speed, fuel economy, stable platform, etc. of the Mooney! Another piece of FOD of which to keep track is not desired by me, so I will not procure the PVC or the likes.

[Marauder]

That reminds me. Thanks DrBill for the Christmas present. Perfect length. All glued up and ready to use.