Fuel filler spill tray

[Murray Parr]

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

[mike.smith]

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

Sonex A-model.

[Bryan Cotton]

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

[Rynoth]

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.

[peter anson]

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

[GraemeSmith]

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.

[lpaaruule]

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.

[Murray Parr]

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.