Scottknoll Posted November 24, 2021 Report Posted November 24, 2021 Hoping to get some advice on filling the TKS tank on our Ovation. Pre-inviting [mention]CAV Ice [/mention] to my question. Today, I added 2.5 gallons, bringing the gauge to 4.0 indicated. Reading the Fluid Indicator Calibration for ground attitude, I calculated that we had an actual quantity of about 4.8. I decided to add an additional 1.5 gallons to fill the tank to 6.3 gallons. The gauge never indicated more than 4.1 as I was adding this last bit. Just as I was finishing the final quart or so of the 1.5 gallons, it start coming out of the overflow. So I think my math was relatively close, and at least I know it is full. My question is, why wouldn’t my gauge go beyond 4.1 gallons? Based on the chart, I think I should see 5.8 gallons on the ground when I have between 5.7 & 6.3 actual gallons in the tank. Is there a calibration procedure? I did try power cycling the system. It boots up at 0 and counts up to 4.1. I also tried the scientific process of shaking the fuselage to see if the floats were stuck.
larryb Posted November 24, 2021 Report Posted November 24, 2021 My TKS gauge will read up to around 6 gallons. So something is probably wrong with your float/gauge system. On other points, I have noticed that if I accidently overfill and the overflow activates, I lose around a gallon of fluid on the hangar floor. Once it starts flowing, it doesn't stop for a while. This makes quite a mess. So I now place an empty TKS jug under the overflow tube to catch the overflow if it happens. And I really try to avoid overfilling in the first place. I do notice the difference in gauge reading between ground and flight.
hypertech Posted November 24, 2021 Report Posted November 24, 2021 There is a set screw to adjust the level indicator somewhere. I've had the float repaired and that adjusted at least once. Here's the thing though - if its winter and there might be ice, I fill it full all the way till it starts to overflow (outside the hangar). Then I do the ground preflight and make sure all the panels are fully wet. And then I top it off till it hits the overflow again. The last thing I want is to be flying an approach at the other end of a 4+ hour flight and find out that I run out. So, to me, the level indicator is nice, but I don't rely on it.
Scottknoll Posted November 25, 2021 Author Report Posted November 25, 2021 Thanks for all the info. I didn’t know there was a set screw. Flew today and after landing it actually showed a little more than full… Guess I didn’t shake it hard enough. My landing must have taken care of that I did notice it takes a while for the fluid to make it all the way to the tank, seems to be about 5 feet of hose. When getting close to where I calculated full, I went 1 quart at a time. Only lost about 8oz into a bucket, worth it to know it’s full. Put it in a spray bottle for future use on a frosty morning. Thanks everyone!
flyingscot Posted November 25, 2021 Report Posted November 25, 2021 8 hours ago, hypertech said: There is a set screw to adjust the level indicator somewhere. I've had the float repaired and that adjusted at least once. Here's the thing though - if its winter and there might be ice, I fill it full all the way till it starts to overflow (outside the hangar). Then I do the ground preflight and make sure all the panels are fully wet. And then I top it off till it hits the overflow again. The last thing I want is to be flying an approach at the other end of a 4+ hour flight and find out that I run out. So, to me, the level indicator is nice, but I don't rely on it. I do something similar. The only way I have found that I know the tank is full (with confidence) is filling it until it overflows. Then I know how much I’m carrying. I don’t trust the level display - too much variability between ground and flight, or wet panels or not. I use an old TKS fluid jug to capture the overflow and have gotten pretty good at not wasting very much when it overflows. I haven’t ever “reused” the fluid that does, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. My fill funnel has a fine screen that catches any debris.
Mark89114 Posted November 25, 2021 Report Posted November 25, 2021 There is another post on here somewhere about the float filling with fluid and reading terrible. But for the record I have also deiced my hangar floor once. 1
ilovecornfields Posted November 25, 2021 Report Posted November 25, 2021 Anyone have a picture of where this TKS overflow hose is?
milotron Posted November 25, 2021 Report Posted November 25, 2021 here. That T fitting that ties the two circular sections together. It lines up with a hole in my one piece belly. .
milotron Posted November 25, 2021 Report Posted November 25, 2021 another image that shows the filler tube ( black corrogated ) in relation to the overflow piping which extend to the top of the tanks through the inside. Upside down, of course. Sorry.
GeeBee Posted November 25, 2021 Report Posted November 25, 2021 I keep one of these in the hangar. Works great for the overflow. Use it and use it only for TKS fluid, refill through a filtered funnel and you can reuse the fluid. Also works great when you have to drain the system for maintenance. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/flotool/hopkins-flotool-oil-drain-pan/hop5/42004?q=oil+change+tank&pos=7
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