MGL Avionics Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL Owner’s manual
Page 34
Fuel tank/level sender setup 1 and 2
This function is used to setup and calibrate you fuel level sender(s). You would use this
function partially even if you do not have a fuel level sender installed but are using a fuel flow
sender. In this case the instrument can provide you with a tank level display as well as it will
calculate the remaining fuel by subtracting fuel used (after you have given it a starting value).
In this case all you have to do in this menu is to enter the capacity of your fuel tank so that
the fuel level bargraph can show the correct level. You should also note that it is not possible
to enter a fuel level greater than the tank capacity even if you only use the fuel flow sender
and not a tank level sender.
Regardless of your use of a fuel flow sender, you can install a
fuel level sender into your fuel tank. These level senders are
inexpensive and are available as after market replacement
fittings from a car spares outlet. We recommend the senders
available from VDO.
Be aware
that some makes of cheap
level senders can prove troublesome, as the lever arms tend
to be sticky. This prevents the floats from floating on the surface of the fuel at all times. As a
consequence, this will lead to incorrect fuel level indication.
Once you have installed a fuel level sender into your tank, make sure the float can travel all
the way from empty to full position without hindrance of any kind.
The calibration procedure should be carried out with your aircraft in flight attitude. This means
you need to lift the tail if you have a tail-dragger or lift the nose wheel if you have a
weightshift trike. You start the calibration procedure with an empty tank.
Your first determination should be how much reserve fuel you should carry. Reserve fuel
would be fuel that is not taken into account by the fuel level sender. We recommend at least
10% of your fuel tank capacity as reserve fuel, preferably even more.
To illustrate the calibration procedure, let us assume we have a weightshift trike with a tank
capacity of 50 liters without reserve.
We decide to use a five-liter reserve, leaving us with a usable fuel capacity of 45 liters.
Our first step is now to enter this capacity into the instrument. Use the “prev” and “next” keys
to move the highlight to the “fuel tank capacity” item. Then use the + and – keys to set the
entry to read 45 liters.
Our next step would be to raise the nose gear of the trike to flight position. An upturned
bucket or similar item is normally all that is required.
We now start with the empty tank. Add five liters of fuel (our reserve quantity) using a suitable
measure. Make sure the measure is suitably accurate.
This number is
the value read
from your fuel
level sender.
The actual value
is not important,
as long as it
changes with
fuel level.
These are the level
sender readings at the
various fuel levels. Use
the “select” key to transfer
the current reading to the
relevant fuel level slot.
