Rotax oil tank mount.

[Murray Parr]

Has anyone mounted the Rotax oil tank to the firewall?

Any pictures or plans to make a bracket and how it is mounted would be appreciated.

Looking for a light weight mounting bracket and wondering what the best way is to strengthen the firewall where it is fastened to?

[Skippydiesel]

Just speculating Murray,

Bracket going to be interesting, as will have to accomodate Sonex very sloped firewall.

Strengthen firewall with either an aluminium plate (with lightening holes) OR a couple of aluminium angles, from aged memory, comes in 1.2- 3 mm gauge, equal or unequal sides, from about 10-50 mm. Can be had in short lengths from Bunnings Aerospace (depending on size you want, I might have a bit to spare)

[Murray Parr]

Just speculating Murray,

Bracket going to be interesting, as will have to accomodate Sonex very sloped firewall.

Strengthen firewall with either an aluminium plate (with lightening holes) OR a couple of aluminium angles, from aged memory, comes in 1.2- 3 mm gauge, equal or unequal sides, from about 10-50 mm. Can be had in short lengths from Bunnings Aerospace (depending on size you want, I might have a bit to spare)

Slope is 60 degrees, I will likely put the tank at less angle. I might copy this one from Skytek https://store.skytekaircraft.ca/store/p ... Kit.html#/

I am completely revamping my cooling and exhaust systems, and current position of oil tank is now in the way, my only space available right now is lower starboard firewall. Interested to see how others have mounted theirs.

[Skippydiesel]

Be careful Murray - Rotax have specifications for the oil tank height, relative to the pump.

"I might copy this one from Skytek....."

Looks like you could get much of the aluminium extruded profile from Bunnings OR almost any specialised aluminium supplier (I used to use Ullrich - now closed)

"Interested to see how others have mounted theirs."

Mine is mounted on the starboard engine frame, fairly close to the firewall. Give me a date/time & I will fly in to Goulburn.

[Murray Parr]

Be careful Murray - Rotax have specifications for the oil tank height, relative to the pump.

"I might copy this one from Skytek....."

Looks like you could get much of the aluminium extruded profile from Bunnings OR almost any specialised aluminium supplier (I used to use Ullrich - now closed)

"Interested to see how others have mounted theirs."

Mine is mounted on the starboard engine frame, fairly close to the firewall. Give me a date/time & I will fly in to Goulburn.

I had my tank mounted on the starboard engine frame too, just needs to be closer to the firewall, I could probably change the current bracketing to still use the engine mount frame but think I could save some weight by mounting it to the firewall.

I will give you a heads up next time I go to YGLB, would be good to see the changes you've made since I last saw your Sonex

[CaseyCooper]

Murray,

Yes. My tank is mounted on the firewall and all my kits come with the necessary bracketing to mount an oil tank to the firewall. I have a tapered bracket that I make out of 1 piece of 0.040” 6061 and 2 hose clamps, secured with rivets. Simple and effective. It keeps the tank vertical and the middle of the tank is as high as the middle of the engine (just above the gear leg truss). I mounted mine right behind the engine just left of the center seam in my Sonex. It’s been there for 400+hours. No complaints. I’ll see if I can get a picture of the brackets I make and post it tomorrow

[Murray Parr]

Murray,

Yes. My tank is mounted on the firewall and all my kits come with the necessary bracketing to mount an oil tank to the firewall. I have a tapered bracket that I make out of 1 piece of 0.040” 6061 and 2 hose clamps, secured with rivets. Simple and effective. It keeps the tank vertical and the middle of the tank is as high as the middle of the engine (just above the gear leg truss). I mounted mine right behind the engine just left of the center seam in my Sonex. It’s been there for 400+hours. No complaints. I’ll see if I can get a picture of the brackets I make and post it tomorrow

Thanks Casey,

Some pics would be great. Not sure if I have enough space in the center area but same type of bracket should still work anywhere on the firewall that the tank will fit. Did you use a doubler on the back side of the firewall? maybe doesn't need it near the center seam but over near the starboard corner where I need to mount mine, probably further away from any bracing might need a doubler of some kind. What do you think?

It's a shame your kits didn't come out sooner before I went so far down the rabbit hole of making my own system. Mine is almost complete now with mostly fiber glassing left to do. I will try to post pictures soon of all the mods I have done.

[WaiexB22]

My engine has a dry sump similar to the rotax. I could not find room on my firewall t a high enough elevation and I mounted mine to my engine mount. Be careful with the angle of the firewall and keep the tank vertical using a bracket like Casey or something similar.