Electric pump
 

Hi,

having just maidened my first gas airplane, I need to setup a fuelling system for gas. So far I have only flown glow planes and I have been carrying the fuel, a litre at a time in a bottle and pumping by hand. With gas, I need to be more careful. I am considering a Prolux 6-12v electric pump available locally. I could use a 9.6v TX battery as the power source- its handy and I already have one lying around. I will still need to carry gas by the bottle but atleast I can take the effort out of the pumping. I know Prolux is a chinese brand. Any idea how this pump is?

Ameyam

RE: Electric pump
 

Sorry I have rejected electric pumps entirely. Here is what I use and the reason is not entirely reliabilty it is the lack of ability to count turns of fuel in and fuel out for consumption estimates.
The first picture is for glow and the small syringe with tygon is for vintage gassers and the small diesels. The next two pictures with the five litre gasolene container are for my big gassers, The neoprene hose is soon going to be replaced with tygon since the neoprene does not last much more than a season.

John

RE: Electric pump
 

Because I never seem to have more then one or two gassers set up at any given time I sort of do the same thing as John. I just mix one gallon at a time so I use it up and mix up a fresh gallon in another can before I run out. I use one cheap Magnum hand pump for my gassers. Just transfer the pump and lid from can to can. Going electric is fine but unless I have several planes burning gas I wouldn't bother. This from a man that doesn't like hand pumping at all. I do use electric for my glow powered planes but I usually have two or three of them with me at the field and only one gasser.

RE: Electric pump
 

Dons Hobby Shop sells a gas electric fuel pump. I bought it, but never used it. My hand crank seems to do just fine. I process is similar to Grey Beards.
Edwin

RE: Electric pump
 

Actually, there seems to be complete lack of hand crank pumps that can do gas here. Also, when transfering large amounts, like from the gallon can to my 1.5litre bottle (I usually go flying with friends, so carrying a gas can every time is difficult), the electric pump is useful. I have a DB six-shooter pump that I had specifically bought for gas but my experience with the DB six shooters is not too good subsequently. There is no other reason to want to go to an electric pump other than lack of good hand crank gas pumps

Ameyam

RE: Electric pump
 

This is what I use. 5 years old now, not a hickup.
http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/MPIACC224.html
Edwin

RE: Electric pump
 

OK, it isn't worth over thinking. There is no difference inside of a glow pump there there is in a gas pump. You just need to use gas proof line like Tygon or even some of the clear lines you find in hardware stores. In my case I'm using both types. It's just a cheap glow fuel pump and been with me for years on my gas can. That's it. Just the line. I can either get the kit to turn a cans lid into a gas or fuel can or make my own lid. When I buy stuff like alcohol I make sure the cans I buy have the big lids so I have room to convert them. You can do the same thing with just copper or brass tube and solder. When one can is getting low on gas I take the other can and mix up a new gallon. When needed I just trade the caps/lids. If I'm going to the field I can remove the fuel cap nd install the other lid so it doesn't spill if it tips over. Free cans, home made lid/cap and a cheap Magnum glow fuel pump. There is nothing in the pump that the gas will attack and eat. Gas and glow pumps can be used first on glow fuel then the cap can be installed in a gas can, pumped out a crank or two then used. The one pump can be used for both types of fuel without problems. It's the neoprene fuel line that gas will attack and eat.

RE: Electric pump
 

I of course have no idea of what is avalible in your country this is the one and its no problem here:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJGS5&P=RF

My sympathy for you having spent money on a Dave Brown Six Shooter in my opinion the worst fuel handling device ever imposed on the modeling fraternity. Cannot even give them away around here and I know had three out there for years and finally just threw them out in the bin. Oh man now that is gonna get me in real trouble for that opinion on this board but, heck it is my opinion.

I am confused The container I pictured is 5 litres not 1.5 litres, There is nothing to say you cannot use a smaller container

I guess I am getting to old for this stuff anymore no one ever seems interested anymore in the very simple and accurate way to understand just how long you can fly your airplane (everyone of them) and its taylored to your flying. Just by counting the turns in/out and noting the time. Of course Ya can only do this with a geared manual pump. Yup I,am just too old.

Going back to electric pumps is just not worth the price of being young agine:D


John

RE: Electric pump
 

Last 6 shooter I won I couldn't give away. Clunck Clunck Clunck. I found several NIB Magnums at a swap meet for $5.00 a piece. I keep one in my flight box too for when I have a problem with my old electric pump. The electric must be about 30 years old by now, I bought it used in a flight box about 20 years ago. Once in a while it needs a kick in the butt. I hate hand cranking so I use an electric except for gas.

RE: Electric pump
 

i use a hand crank for both gas and glow on all three of my gas cans..... i used to use electric pumps for glow, but i had 3 different brands take a crap on me in about 2 years...


if i was to buy an electric pump i would use this pump for 59 dollars, and make a do it your self system.... theres a nice thread on EFFING Gyants, and i saw a nice DIY setup here on RCU

http://www.jerseymodeler.com/id29.html

RE: Electric pump
 

Whoops miss posted in the wrong thread

John

RE: Electric pump
 

I have that one (or one like it from Tower). I was considering electric just for getting around the nuisance value. If there is no difference between gas and glow pumps, I may as well get the electric pump as I already have this hand crank pump

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMA93&P=ML

Ameyam

RE: Electric pump
 

www.donshobbyshop.com has one of the better ones I have seen and doesn't cost a big bunch. Looks like an auto windshield washer motor. I'm sure others have the same thing but I know Don's has it in stock.

RE: Electric pump
 

I have no idea if the other geared manual pumps will work for a long period of time without the impellor being affected or not But I beleve the Dubro is the only one that is specified for gasolene or glow fuels.

I cannot remember if that nice thru cap hardware was included with the Dubro pump or priced separately but it is Dubros hardware.

John

RE: Electric pump
 

MPI (at TBM) is advertised as doing either. Mine is about 7 year old.
Edwin

RE: Electric pump
 

the dubro pump comes with these fittings http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXRS88&P=ML

i dont know why they dont show it the pic of the pump at towers website, i bet they'd sell more.... http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJGS5&P=7

RE: Electric pump
 

Yup thanks MJ thats what I put on my gasolene container in the pics. Just used it this morning.

John

RE: Electric pump
 

I don't have a clue if there is something different between an electric pump for gas or glow. I had one good friend that used his electric for both. I have never looked but I thought maybe the way they are wired may be different?? Not a clue.
I have seen mention a lot over the years that electric pumps just don't last?? As I said, mine is probably about 30 years old now?? I have had it for 20 years. It's a MARK X. Not sure if it is still made or not but it's like a good watch, it keeps on ticking.

RE: Electric pump
 

my dad used to have a mark x by sonic tronics...it lasted us many years...i ordered one a few years back and the quality wasnt the same,,,,,, same thing with the mcdaniels ignitors... they used to be the best back in the 80s .... now they dont make them the same