Lockable fuel caps

[Harry Wightman]

I occasionally park my Ovation outside overnight at a non-secure airfield. Given the gap between the 30 gallon (each) scale of the external fuel gauges & the next known quantity (bottom of the fuel filler neck), it seems a significant amount of fuel could be drawn from the tanks without the pilots knowledge. My Shadin gives a very accurate fuel used/ remaining when referencing a known quantity at the start but it can't account for fuel theft.

Has anyone come across a supplier for lockable fuel caps for the Ovation series, or is there another method for determining fuel quantity pre-flight for amounts between 30 & 45 gallons in each wing?

[Piloto]

Unlike the wing sight gauge that have only one sender, the panel gauges have an inboard and outboard senders to determine total fuel. If someone has stolen fuel it will be shown on the panel gauges. At suspicious places I refuel upon departure. Even if you have the locking caps fuel can be drained by removing the drain valve or punching a hole on the bottom skin. 

José

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Harry.

There are a couple of things to consider.

1) there are some locking mechanisms You might be able to find. Realistically, a thief with a wrench can disconnect the fuel sample valve under the wing and catch the fuel with less effort.  No sucking on a tube required.

2) there are improved fuel level sensors from CIES that have accuracy of a gallon when read on a digital display like a JPI or other...  CIES has posted some pictures of the new floats and arms they are building for Mooneys.

3) A calibrated Stick.  In case you have spent all your free cash on the fuel.   Many of us have built a variety of sticks to perform this task.

There is always a difference between riding fuel level on the ground to in flight.  The 8° nose up attitude on the ground is the reason for the difference.  Of course, you will be measuring on the ground before you leave and after when you come back.

These are the things that come to the mind of a PP. I'm not a mechanic, but I kinda know the CIES guy.  He's been here a while.

How does that sound?

Best regards,

-a-

[Harry Wightman]

Thanks for the replies, I like option 3! At the next fuel calibration I'll take along a blank stick & look for CIES senders.

I'd be relatively happy if a thief emptied the tank or left evidence of fuel removal- its the partial loss that concerns me when it becomes apparant inflight (panel gauges not accuarate on ground).

[carusoam]

You can search this site regarding the various types of sticks and procedures that people have had success with.

one of my favorites is from Bob, who used a particular piece from a bee hive.  Or maybe that was his stick for switching the fuel valve...

my memory isn't very strong, but some things stick in there with a vengeance....

Best regards,

-a-

[ArtVandelay]

Thanks for the replies, I like option 3! At the next fuel calibration I'll take along a blank stick & look for CIES senders.

I'd be relatively happy if a thief emptied the tank or left evidence of fuel removal- its the partial loss that concerns me when it becomes apparant inflight (panel gauges not accuarate on ground).

I'd be more concerned about vandalism (sugar in the tanks). I always fill up on anything longer than an hour, pretty easy to tell if tanks are full, or if below tabs if I had to partially fill them.