Fuel Gage and Sender--cutting large holes in fuel tanks, any alternatives??

I'm building a 601 quick build kit. I don't consider myself to be an expert but am wondering if there might be an alternative to cutting large holes into the side of each fuel tank in each wing for the fuel level sensors/senders. I remember seeing airplane fuel senders/gauges that required only a very small hole at the top of a fuel tank, senders that were a narrow solid state rod. But I can't remember where I saw them. Another builder has told me that it is possible to cut the hole in the top of the tank rather than the side and that the units that come with the kit are not very accurate (maybe because he installed different!!!!???). But I'm looking for a whole different fuel gauge/sender alternative and I'll bet that this has been discussed before. If anyone could help me with this I would appreciate it very much. Thanks. Sincerely, Charles Thie, Burlington, Iowa. I would also like to thank the members who responded to my prior two questions, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Thie on August 30, 2009 at 12:24am
OK, no answers, no problem, I'll figure it out myself for better or worse. I'm 100% happy with the parts, but I wonder if I'm missing something on the builders page? I built a Quad City Challenger back in 2001 and when I posted a question on their website, there was almost immediate responce. So far I have not seen this on Zenith. Maybe I am missing a separate website???????? thie52601@yahoo.com
Permalink Reply by Phill Barnes on August 30, 2009 at 4:03pm
Hi Charles
I know Steve Weston from this website has also had a lot of trouble with the senders and ended up installing them in the top of the tank. I think this is where they used to be installed on the earlier Zodiacs. For my money, it's the best place for them incase of a leak which seams to me to be quite likely. Sorry I can't offer any actual advice from experience as I have not installed mine yet.

Check out the aircraft spruce links below.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/in/fuelinstrumentation_probes.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/in/fuelinstrumentation_skysport...

Regads
Phill Barnes
Permalink Reply by Bil Gillam on September 4, 2009 at 7:08am
HI, I build a 601 , I don't think the float type senders are the way to go . I put my senders in the top of the tank, less chance of leaks . Bill
Permalink Reply by Charles Thie on September 4, 2009 at 8:53am
Bill, Thanks for the input. Could you tell me the type of senders you used? Sincerely, Charlie Thie

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