rotomolded wing tanks

[jmodguy]

Did a search and came up with a couple mentions of rotomolded wing tanks. The wingtanks.com solution is not a viable option. Press in fittings and reduced volume is a non starter.
The fiberglass/ethanol issue affects boats and motorcycles as well and it looks like the boat folks have moved to rotomolding.
I believe the Sonex uses a rotomolded tank, so why not the Kitfox? There's a rotomolder here in Indy and I was thinking about seeing what they could do.
Anyone interested?

[TJay]

Probably to heavy to make sense, when I had a challenger I took the 10 gallon plastic tank out and replaced it with a 17 gallon aluminum tank which was a 1/3 of the weight,

[DesertFox4]

Been discussed at length Jeff.
Fuel tanks are structural in the Kitfox wing design. Fiberglass can also take the flexing during flight.
Can't get that from the roto tanks. Only chance to work in the Kitfox wings was to chop the top out of an existing Kitfox tank, remove the baffles and insert the roto tank inside the still bonded in hull of the old fiberglass tank.

Aluminum was also tried but flexing fatigue caused welded seams to break.


I believe the Sonex uses a rotomolded tank, so why not the Kitfox?A Kitfox wing is not a Sonex wing. See explanation above. Comparing apples and asparagus.
Newest tanks pretty much took care of ethanol concerns.

[jmodguy]

Fuel tanks are structural?? They are secured with RTV.
What are they doing to the new tanks to make them compatible with ethanol?
I have read that aluminum tanks are also a non starter due to flexing and the eventual cracks and leaks.
I think the Sonex tank was fuse mounted.
The tanks I have (1995) are lined with Kreem which is basically a plan to eventually plug the fuel system. Don't need any additional issues out of the gate!
From What I understand there is no sealant in the new tanks... Is Kitfox using a different resin that is ethanol proof?
I am getting close to mounting my tanks and I would like to get this resolved!

[DesertFox4]

Short answer is yes they are using different resin. Have for some time now.
Worth talking to John about getting newest tanks.

[jmodguy]

Thanks DF4. I'll do that!