National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

I would like to install some aux tanks on my Champ, the only ones I can find are from Wag at $ 795.95 and are FAA approved.

Here is the description quoted from the catalog:

Aeronca Wing Kit : Model: SKU: E-476-000
Increase fuel capacity by 10 gallons. Simple installation. Kit comes complete with left and right hand tanks, fittings, fuel line, mounting brackets, installation instructions and drawings. Uses E-482-000 fuel cap, which is not included. Sold in a set of 2. OVERSIZE SHIPPING CHARGES WILL APPLY. WE WILL CALL YOU. Code4


Has anyone installed these and is the paperwork complete for approval?

I have (or am in the process of) installing a set of the Wag-Aero tanks that you described in my L16 project. They do come with a older STC but are approved. The instructions leave a bit to the imagination but are OK. I never did figure out how they intended to mount the fuel valves but because I have a L16 I mounted them in the original L16 position on the wing root.
I wouldn't call the installation 'easy' but doable. The tanks took a bit of fitting to make them match the butt rib. I also had to move the next rib toward the outboard side to make room for the tanks (live and learn). The kit is complete though, right down to the mounting accessories, screws, caps, etc. I know Dennis off this site has installed a set and I believe Paul A also has. They may have more information. I think I have a couple of pictures of the installation under "Progress/moving along" in the Restoration heading.

MikeB

Hugh,
Mike has said it all. If you are building a set of wings it's no too bad. If your wings are covered and installed, I would remove them. In the long run it would be easier.
The STC documents are a well worn previously approved STC which you can use as supporting DATA for your 337. Also there are some Service Letters that can be used for installation, this is approved DATA.
The last set I installed had the Imperial fuel valves installed at the lower corners of the instrument panel. I would put them at the wing root like Mike did. The tank also needs to be modifed to accept the fitting for the wing fuel lines. If you have a C85 installed, or plan to, I feel one tank is a must. At full power the C85 will only run about 2 hours on the main tank.
Paul

Dennis mounted his fuel valves on the "Y" tubings at the top of the windshield. Putting them on the wing root when you have a headliner is a bit more difficult but not impossible or so I would think. With the L16 I didn't have that problem as no headliner but it's a logical spot.

MikeB

My 7AC with a C-85 has a single 13 gallon tank in the left wing with a fuel valve mounted in the wing root. Connection is to a T fitting at the fuel shut off valve under the standard nose mounted 13 gallon tank in front of the panel. No fuel gauge in the wing tank.

Placard instructions at the wing valve says;

AUX FUEL VALVE
*Wing Tank Cap. 13 US Gal.
*DO NOT TURN VALVE ON UNTIL
MAIN TANK IS BELOW 1/2.
*MONITOR MAIN TANK LEVEL AS
FUEL TRANSFERS, DO NOT OVER FILL.
*USE IN LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY.
*Turn valve OFF before refueling.

Wing tanks were a factory option and covered in the TC, Items 106, 116 and 119:

106. Auxiliary fuel tank (5.5 gal. capacity)
( a ) Models 7AC, S7AC (Aeronca dwg. 7-565A) 11 lb. (+58)
( b ) Models 7AC, S7AC, 7BCM, 7CCM, S7CCM, 7DC, S7DC, 7EC, S7EC (dwg.
7-1001, 7-796)
Note: Left and right tanks eligible. When two tanks are installed, placard
(dwg. 1-3510) is required.

116. 26 Gallon Fuel System. Champion Instln. dwg. 7-1102 and 7-10002, Models 7FC,
7JC and 7ECA. (Models eligible when installed per Champion Kit 192: 7A, 7B, 7C,
7D, 7E) Placard (Champion dwg. 1-8825) required on Model 7A.

119. 39 Gallon Fuel System
Models 7ECA, 7GC, 7GCA, 7GCAA, 7GCB, 7GCBA, 7GCBC, 7HC, 7KC
(Champion instln. dwg. 7-1099, 7-1102)
Model 7KCAB (Champion instln. dwg. 7-1099, 7-1314)
Models 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB (Champion instln. dwg. 7-1328)


Hope this helps you.

Do the installation instruction provided with the kit specify where to cut the fabric in such a way to minimize repairs?
Does anyone have pictures they can post?

Larry, where did you get that 13 gallon tank? Cutting open one wing might be less work than both!

Thanks everyone for your replies.