Removed Snorkel (air intake plenum) from fuel servo so I could remove tape at throttle interface (added more than year ago to keep engine "sealed"). Tightened four 1/4" bolts, then safety wired. Ref 47-17 and 47-22, Step 15. Also Configured Lighting in G3X for Red and White LED strips on canopy. In Config mode, selected Cockpit Lighting, then chose PWM Lighting Bus 1, and Input 2 for White LED. Set 0% at 0.0v, and 100% at 12V. Same for Red LED, except Bus 2, Input 1. (After pics taken, I revised setting 30% at 7v for each, so lower portion is easier to modulate...ie non-linear. Pic shows original linear input vs output plot). Still haven't found tiny leak in fuel system (approx 15 psi in 30 min) ...after another 3 hrs with multiple doses of soap bubbles . Connected test equip at input to fuel filter, and got same leak rate - proving fuel valve is NOT source of leak. Re-checked thoroughly every joint from Wing connection to fuel servo...with lots of soap bubbles. NO joy! Totally encapsulated w/ soap bubbles the mechanical fuel pump, electric fuel pump, and Red Cube fuel transducer - trying to detect poor gasket, crack, etc. No joy. So I loosened a connection on test equip, and was surprised although covered in soap bubbles - it didn't "indicate" a leak until I opened a much higher rate of 1 psi drop per 1-2 seconds ! Vans product support wasn't much help today...indicating soap bubbles should work. (Sterling did suggest dunking entire fuselage in my swimming pool, and look for bubbles ...ha !) Another builder (Bill Lane, who's been very helpful) suggested I purchase gas leak detection "blue" fluid (available in hardware stores). It may work better. One advertises capable of magnifying micro-gas leaks as small as 0.65 oz/year into visible foam "cocoons". Wow! IF this doesn't work, I'll have to wait until Wings attached, fuel tanks connected - so I can test for leaks with aviation fuel. VAF has tips to use white paper towels at connections, to show the blue stains from dye in avgas.
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| blue tape over drainage hole in plenum...with hanging portion to insure removal prior 1st start. |
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| Red LED for night flights ....dimmed to medium intensity |
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| White LED...good for general purpose in hangar, etc Red and White dimmer switches are in upper LH corner of panel |
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| with Canopy raised, serves as overall interior lighting. This is at less than 1/2 intensity |
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| Spent hours covering joints in soap bubbles, inspecting w/ lights and mirrors. No joy...yet. |
