Fuel calibration

[uk_figs]

I am building a Van's RV-7 and tried to calibrate the tanks today, the calibration worked fine until I had 13 gals in the left and 14 gals in the right and then the senders apparently did not change any more, I completed the calibration exercise (selected the "yes I really did add an additional 2 gals etc). The fuel gauges now show the complete 21 gal range (I think) but have 12.43 and 14 as the numbers inside the gauge display when full.
I assume this is partly due to the inboard position of the resistive senders, the wing dihedral and maybe the fuselage angle with the tailwheel sitting on the ground, is there a way to correct the readings?
Second not related question is everytime I power up the EMS I get a "Contact V" warning, I have checked all the settings but cannot figure out what this is.
Apart from the above small issues the units (D100 and D120 and HS34) appear to be working great together and with the SL30 and 496.
Appreciate any help
Thanks
Dave

 

[dynonsupport]

Hi Dave,

Unfortunately, there isn't a way to tweak the fuel level readings without recalibrating. However, can you snap a picture of your readings? Hundreths of a decimal place isn't something you should be seeing. I'm curious what you ARE seeing.

For the contact issue, check the alarm setting under EMS>SETUP>SENSORS>EMS CONTACT 1 / 2

 

[jakej]

From my experience the RV' float senders don't 'read' the last (top) few gallons, it's the bottom few that really count. Maybe this is your situation ?

Jake J

 

[uk_figs]

I suspect Jakej is right based on the float sensor position and the angle of the tank, I just wanted to check. However I assume the fuel used and other fuel based calculations using the fuel flow sensor would be based on the amount of fuel in the tank and having set the full fuel at 21 gals I am suprised it only shows the 14 number where the sensor is full up.
The readings from the EMS are as follows:
Left
2731 0
2164 2
1970 4
1588 6
1437 8
1129 10
771 12
700 12.43
Right
2722 0
2476 2
2148 4
1870 6
1624 8
1467 10
1228 12
689 14

Dave

 

[meljordan]

The fuel flow totalizer has nothing to do with the fuel level sensors. You have to manually enter the fuel on board when you add fuel, it does not read this from the fuel level sensors. If you take the time to calibrate the fuel flow it will be very accurate, mine is normally within 0.2 gallons over 30 gallons used. I use the fuel level gauges only to determine when to switch tanks to balance the load. The fuel totalizer tells me how much fuel I have remaining.

Regards,
Mel Jordan
RV-6A

 

[uk_figs]

Ref the contact error message issue I checked the suggested setup area for each contact, contact 1 is set for canopy latched and seems to work fine, contact 2 is set to OFF, I turned both contact 1 and 2 OFF but this had no effect on the warning message on power up. I also disconnected the warning light I have installed also no effect, still get the "Contact V" warning message every time I power up the EMS.
Any other suggestions to check?
Thanks
Dave

 

[dynonsupport]

There are some more contact inputs under the HS34 section of the EMS SENSORS menu too. Make sure none of those have their alarm set on.

 

[uk_figs]

I had checked the HS34 contacts also but will check again, this message comes up on the EMS even when the HS34 is not powered up (I have the HS34 on the avionics bus with the EFIS). Can you tell me what this particular alarm (Contact V) equates to and maybe I can figure out what may be causing it.
Thanks

 

[dynonsupport]

The "V" is referring to the changeable name of the contact that is programed into one of the contact inputs' setup. So from that information, we can't tell you which one it is definitively.

Have you been through all of the contact inputs and made sure NONE of them have the ALARM set to ON?

If you're not finding anything, give us a call at 425-402-0433, and ask for technical support.

 

[uk_figs]

OK thanks, I will check them all again tomorrow to see if I can find the culprit