SonexBuilders.net

Has anyone made a spill tray for around the fuel tank filler neck yet? Any suggestions on how it has been done would be appreciated and save me from re inventing the wheel

You can start here, then move forward through my progress:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 357&row=33

Sonex A-model.

Here is mine, starting near the bottom of the page.
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=578&start=1050

I know it wasn't asked (and I also don't have a B-model so I'm not sure what's different), but on my A-model I just stuffed some rags around the filler neck. If I did have a bit of a spill (hasn't happened yet!) I can simply pull the rag(s) out and replace them.

Definitely make one. It has saved me from having fuel in the cabin on many occasions. Mine doesn't even have a drain. It's just a little folded box, sealed around the edges and around the filler neck with fuel tank sealant. I am still amazed that it's not specified in the original plans.

Peter

Just from a safety standpoint - a SEALED - tray to keep fuel out the cabin would seem an absolute must. A big splashing spill is obvious and you will mitigate. A few drops getting through to create a perfect air/fuel mixture down by your feet and not detectable by your higher up nose is a disaster waiting for a spark.

I have some experience with propane systems in enclosed spaces and we always put the gas detector down low to catch this scenario - because there is plenty of evidence of explosions caused by stratified fuel air mixtures that the nose didn't detect because the explosive mixture was lower down.

I have a fuel spill tray and still get fuel smell in the cabin when the tank is full, and it’s bumpy. I just bondo’d all the rivets on the bottom of the fuselage a couple days ago. I plan to fly today and see if it helps the situation. Maybe my already very low CO level will be even better too.

The difference with the B model is the filler cap is under the windshield and has a cut out around the skirt for the filler. There is no way too route a drain from the low point of a catch tray without having it go uphill first, so I am thinking of doing as Peter has and not putting a drain from the tray. I am not comfortable with the thought of any fuel leaking into the cab so a spill tray is a must in my opinion.