Bravo wing fuel gauges

[Horis]

I just had my fuel tanks stripped and sealed by a nationally known shop. They inadvertently put the wing fuel gauge incorrectly in one wing. The one he says is correct is off by about 14 gallons compared with a calibrated dip stick. The one that is incorrect is only off by about 4 gallons. How accurate are these gauges and how were they originally oriented relative to the cockpit?? Could the float have been oriented incorrectly on installation of the one that is correct?

[ArtVandelay]

Mine are pretty accurate (J) except at limits (full/empty), the gauges are only marked in 5 gallon increments, I’d say they’re accurate within 2 gallons. You should be able to look into the fuel filler port and check the position of the float.

[Rick Junkin]

  On 2/19/2023 at 9:06 PM, Horis said:

I just had my fuel tanks stripped and sealed by a nationally known shop.

Expand  

Which shop? Are you happy with their work otherwise?

Cheers,
Rick

[N201MKTurbo]

The float sits in the center of the panel, it shouldn’t matter which way they are put on. They are much easier to read from the cockpit if the indicators are outboard.

[Fly Boomer]

  On 2/20/2023 at 5:08 AM, N201MKTurbo said:

They are much easier to read from the cockpit if the indicators are outboard.

Expand  

By "indicators" do you mean the dials or gauges?  And outboard of what?  I have these but, as far as I know, they can only be in one place?

[N201MKTurbo]

  On 2/20/2023 at 11:47 AM, Fly Boomer said:

By "indicators" do you mean the dials or gauges?  And outboard of what?  I have these but, as far as I know, they can only be in one place?

Expand  

The panels they are mounted in can be installed two ways around. The dials are mounted at one end of the panel. If they installed the panel withe the gauge in the wrong cell, then they will not read right. Some pictures would help.

[Fly Boomer]

  On 2/20/2023 at 12:06 PM, N201MKTurbo said:

The panels they are mounted in can be installed two ways around. The dials are mounted at one end of the panel. If they installed the panel withe the gauge in the wrong cell, then they will not read right. Some pictures would help.

Expand  

That makes sense.  I always intend to make drawings or take pictures when I disassemble something, but then sometimes a lying little voice says "c'mon, you can remember this".  But then I don't.  Without looking at the airplane, I didn't realize that the gauge was installed in one end of the panel, creating an opportunity for an incorrect install when putting it back together.

[affricate]

  On 2/19/2023 at 9:06 PM, Horis said:

I just had my fuel tanks stripped and sealed by a nationally known shop. They inadvertently put the wing fuel gauge incorrectly in one wing. The one he says is correct is off by about 14 gallons compared with a calibrated dip stick. The one that is incorrect is only off by about 4 gallons. How accurate are these gauges and how were they originally oriented relative to the cockpit?? Could the float have been oriented incorrectly on installation of the one that is correct?

Expand  

This happened to me, too but they eventually came right. Took about 10 months for them to free up. 

[jlunseth]

  On 2/19/2023 at 9:21 PM, ArtVandelay said:

Mine are pretty accurate (J) except at limits (full/empty), the gauges are only marked in 5 gallon increments, I’d say they’re accurate within 2 gallons. You should be able to look into the fuel filler port and check the position of the float.

Expand  

Same here. They peg out at limits. I tell the line guys at my home base that the tanks are not full if the needle will move on the wing gauges. 

[flyboy0681]

  On 2/19/2023 at 9:21 PM, ArtVandelay said:

Mine are pretty accurate (J) except at limits (full/empty), the gauges are only marked in 5 gallon increments, I’d say they’re accurate within 2 gallons. You should be able to look into the fuel filler port and check the position of the float.

Expand  

Mine appear to be accurate within ounces. When it shows 25 gallons, the fuel is exactly at the tab.

[Horis]

I am happy with their work otherwise.  The proper position of the gauges is on the outboard side of the panel.  My only complaint is that to not void the warranty, I have to take it back to FL to get the panel turned around.  I guess I’ll schedule a golf trip to FL.