Refueling System
02-12-2009 | 11:42 AM
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From: Pooler,
GA
Refueling System
Is there a good easy way to set up a 2 line refueling system for a cowled engine. I saw the Slimeline V-Tech 2 line system but that's a little pricey and I jsut ordered from TH and not interested in ordering again. Any help or pictures are greatly appreciated. Oh, I do have the Great Planes refueler but I haven't heard to many good things about that set up??
Thanks
chopper
Thanks
chopper
02-12-2009 | 12:15 PM
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From: Moore,
OK
RE: Refueling System
I would recommend just adding a third line and using a fuel dot. They are easy to install, and easy to use. I like the way they look also, kinda like a fuel cap. They are really cheap, and any hobby shop will have a few to choose from.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7
Here are some pictures of the one I use (cost like 3 bucks at the LHS).
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7
Here are some pictures of the one I use (cost like 3 bucks at the LHS).
02-12-2009 | 12:45 PM
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RE: Refueling System
I second the fuel dot. It's the cleanest and easiest solution. However, if you do want to stay with a 2 line system and aren't overly hung up on looks there is an easy solution. Simply drill two small holes in your cowl. Have the line from the tank to the carb exit one hole and go back in to the other hole. Have a split in the fuel line that is joined with a small bit of brass tubing. This way you can just pull the line apart to fill the tank.
Ken
Ken
02-12-2009 | 01:01 PM
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From: BrisbaneQLD, AUSTRALIA
RE: Refueling System
Fuel dots are probably the simplest and most reliable method, however I've been using the [link=http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=334/101.0]Dubro Kwik Fill[/link] for a year and a half without a problem. I've got four of them on three planes (one's a twin) and haven't had a leak or a problem with any of them.
02-12-2009 | 01:52 PM
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From: Pooler,
GA
RE: Refueling System
Thanks everyone. I was digging throuigh my junk and found a fuel dot. I opened up the third line in the tank and I'm just going with the dot. I really tend to over complicate stuff. It will be a miricale if this thing ever gets to fly
I'll have some pictures soon. Of course I'll probably over complicate that as well
Thanks again.
chopper
I'll have some pictures soon. Of course I'll probably over complicate that as wellThanks again.
chopper
02-12-2009 | 09:50 PM
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From: Galloway,
NJ
RE: Refueling System
I used these fuel fillers in a few planes, very clean install and easy to use, also gives a good place to pinch
test a cowled engine. http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...asp?AGroupID=4
test a cowled engine. http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...asp?AGroupID=4
02-12-2009 | 11:28 PM
#9
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: bonebreak
I would recommend just adding a third line and using a fuel dot. They are easy to install, and easy to use. I like the way they look also, kinda like a fuel cap. They are really cheap, and any hobby shop will have a few to choose from.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7
Here are some pictures of the one I use (cost like 3 bucks at the LHS).
I would recommend just adding a third line and using a fuel dot. They are easy to install, and easy to use. I like the way they look also, kinda like a fuel cap. They are really cheap, and any hobby shop will have a few to choose from.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7
Here are some pictures of the one I use (cost like 3 bucks at the LHS).
i also stay away from valved and spring loaded dubro fuelers
02-12-2009 | 11:49 PM
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From: Oklahoma City,
OK
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: MetallicaJunkie
+1
i also stay away from valved and spring loaded dubro fuelers
ORIGINAL: bonebreak
I would recommend just adding a third line and using a fuel dot. They are easy to install, and easy to use. I like the way they look also, kinda like a fuel cap. They are really cheap, and any hobby shop will have a few to choose from.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7
Here are some pictures of the one I use (cost like 3 bucks at the LHS).
I would recommend just adding a third line and using a fuel dot. They are easy to install, and easy to use. I like the way they look also, kinda like a fuel cap. They are really cheap, and any hobby shop will have a few to choose from.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7
Here are some pictures of the one I use (cost like 3 bucks at the LHS).
i also stay away from valved and spring loaded dubro fuelers
+2
They are very clean looking when installed correctly.
02-13-2009 | 07:49 AM
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From: Jacksonville, FL
RE: Refueling System
3 line system is the way to go...I believe in the KISS principle you know Keep It Simple
fuel filler are hated because they will either stick or leak someday..causing engine problems..the filler will be the last thing you think of...besides that it isn't KISSable.....I know what you;re thinking how simpler can it be?.....wait till it leaks or sticks
fuel filler are hated because they will either stick or leak someday..causing engine problems..the filler will be the last thing you think of...besides that it isn't KISSable.....I know what you;re thinking how simpler can it be?.....wait till it leaks or sticks
02-13-2009 | 10:08 AM
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From: Pooler,
GA
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
If you don't have a line and clunck on that third line removing fuel will be a problem. I use dots myself but have tried doing it like John has his, very simple and something even I can't mess up.
If you don't have a line and clunck on that third line removing fuel will be a problem. I use dots myself but have tried doing it like John has his, very simple and something even I can't mess up.
chopper
02-13-2009 | 11:16 AM
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From: Moore,
OK
RE: Refueling System
If the third line goes straight through, you will have a tough time getting the fuel out. You may have to flip the plane on its nose. I normally just bend the brass filler tube down, and add a bit of fuel tube so it touches the bottom of the fuel tank with the stopper all the way on. This makes it so you can de-fuel with it sitting right side up. Some even put a clunk on this line (so they would have two clunks, one for the filler line and one for the pickup line), but I have never done it like this. Dont give up yet. You are almost there. It sounds like everything else is correct.
02-13-2009 | 12:11 PM
#15
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: Sandmann_AU
I've yet to find a problem with the dubro fillers... why are they so universally despised?
I've yet to find a problem with the dubro fillers... why are they so universally despised?
you'll find out of you have one fail on you...I used to use them on most of my planes, had one fail and got rid of them.... You lose tank pressure, and it throws of your engine, and it will also spew fuel out of it. I still have one in use BTW, only because the guy i purchased the plane from had one on it, and dont feel the model is worth the fuss.
02-13-2009 | 12:19 PM
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From: BrisbaneQLD, AUSTRALIA
RE: Refueling System
oh well.. as I said I have four of them on my three planes and haven't had any trouble so far, but I'll keep an eye on them. If/when they fail I'll think about replacing them with fuel dots. It's going to be a pain on the skybolt as I can't get to the tank to add the third line - it's the GP kit version and you end up building the tank into the plane. I might just had to stick with the current system on that one.
Pity they're unreliable, they're such a convenient system.
Pity they're unreliable, they're such a convenient system.
02-13-2009 | 02:19 PM
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From: Oklahoma City,
OK
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: chopper man
Well I didn't think about defueling[>:] This tank has 3 ports with only 1 line with a clunk on it. So I put the pressure line on the top nippple and the fill on the middle. I hope thats going to work. Well I guess I'll just have to turn the plane upside down to defuel. Just when you think you've got this hobby figured out things go the other way. I'm really tired of messing with this plane so I'm just leaving things the way they are and hope to just get it finished up so I can put her in the air for the first time. I finished the actual build almost 2 years ago but I never finished putting the radio in or that nitt picking stuff. I might be able to finish it this weekend and fly Sunday.
chopper
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
If you don't have a line and clunck on that third line removing fuel will be a problem. I use dots myself but have tried doing it like John has his, very simple and something even I can't mess up.
If you don't have a line and clunck on that third line removing fuel will be a problem. I use dots myself but have tried doing it like John has his, very simple and something even I can't mess up.
chopper
02-13-2009 | 02:27 PM
#18
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RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: Sandmann_AU
I've yet to find a problem with the dubro fillers... why are they so universally despised?
I've yet to find a problem with the dubro fillers... why are they so universally despised?
Sandman in addition to the well known problem of a leaky valve which is real and will catch you at some point causeing at the least a wasted trip to the flying field, here is the other reason they are a bad idea.
I have witnesed and experianced many times folks failing to be able to fly simply because of this adapter that must be used with the valve and they brought the wrong can or lost the adapter some how. Happened agine last week, gentleman brought out his shinny new Corsair all excited for me to maiden with that unneeded valve and could not put fuel in the tank resulting in a wasted trip to the field.
I now carry a bunch of the adapters for folks who insist on using them and I should not have to.
02-13-2009 | 03:32 PM
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From: Poolesville, MD
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: Sandmann_AU
I've yet to find a problem with the dubro fillers... why are they so universally despised?
I've yet to find a problem with the dubro fillers... why are they so universally despised?
I had them on several planes and had nothing but problems with them.
The rubber seal rings will wear over time and fragment, throwing small rubber particles into the fuel line, and/or clogging the lines.
Even if you have a filter ( HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if using them! ) between the filler and carb, you can still end up with a fuel starved engine.
I spent many hours tracking the problem down to the rubber ring they use as a seal.
02-13-2009 | 03:44 PM
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From: Pooler,
GA
RE: Refueling System
Well let me ask this question. Why not just leave the fuel in the tank? I have always emptied my tanks at the end of the day. some guys just run the engine dry. Typically there isn't a whole lot of fuel left in the tank so why not leave it until the next time you fly?
chopper
chopper
02-13-2009 | 03:50 PM
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From: Oklahoma City,
OK
RE: Refueling System
ORIGINAL: chopper man
Well let me ask this question. Why not just leave the fuel in the tank? I have always emptied my tanks at the end of the day. some guys just run the engine dry. Typically there isn't a whole lot of fuel left in the tank so why not leave it until the next time you fly?
chopper
Well let me ask this question. Why not just leave the fuel in the tank? I have always emptied my tanks at the end of the day. some guys just run the engine dry. Typically there isn't a whole lot of fuel left in the tank so why not leave it until the next time you fly?
chopper
The fuel can absorb lots of moisture, go bad, run out everywhere. I don't want the fuel running out into the carb, engine, or muffler when I am transporting it or carrying it. I have to turn my extra upside down to take the wing off like many do with low wing planes, and the fuel will pour into the muffler if the angle is right. Then it comes out of the muffler and gets on who knows what. It just makes things easier to clean and work with when the tank is empty.
