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Posted

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.bd052c744e6ea56786630a648c835ae1.jpg

Posted

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.

Posted

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. 

Posted

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!

Posted
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. 

Posted

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.

 

  • Haha 1
Posted

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.1950096473_2020-07-0211_41_22.thumb.jpg.cfd280df39b4cc9c360e3acb41cd9137.jpg

 

 

Upside down, of course. Sorry.

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