refueling my RV12

[2johns]

I'm tired of hauling 5 gallon cans of gas. My airport car is a 2001 Chrysler van has a 20 gallon gas tank and internal pump that can put out 5 GPM. Is it a pipe dream to try to tap into it?

[rongawer]

Not a pipe dream, but a slightly better option is to build a “portable unit”.

I got a 30 gallon fuel tank out of a junk yard. It had the pump internal to the tank (I think it was a Chevy tahoe). I simply put handles on it and made up a power wire to my 12V on the truck, added a static wire and booyah , a fuel transfer tank for not much money.

You could technically put it in the trunk of a car, but you might want to check your local laws. Or go roque

[vernon smith]

I'm using an old race car fuel cell bladder (ATL). Find some local race car shops and they will probably have some old ones laying around. You want the black hard plastic bladder. Northern tool sells a small 12v transfer pump with all the hoses and a gas station style filler nozzle for $100.00. It says diesel only but they have to say that. I use a large funnel with an automotive paint strainer into the tank.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...2558_200612558

I use a light weight industrial push kart with the fuel cell on the top and the 12v battery and a charger on the bottom.

The top shelf on the push kart lines up well with the tail gate on the pickup so I can side the cell into the truck bed with minimal strain

Next time I go to the AP I'll take a picture.

[Piper J3]

Originally Posted by vernon smith

Northern tool sells a small 12v transfer pump with all the hoses and a gas station style filler nozzle for $100.00. It says diesel only but they have to say that.

I'd use a little caution here... "diesel only" means just that. There are similar style pumps made specifically for gasoline.

Just saying...

[waterboy2110]

Down right scary what you folks are doing to save a few cents on fuel.
Just saying...
I started out hauling fuel around until certified 91 UL melted a piston. It's just not worth the risk to the engine or the plane in case of a fire.

[DaleB]

Originally Posted by waterboy2110

I started out hauling fuel around until certified 91 UL melted a piston. It's just not worth the risk to the engine or the plane in case of a fire.

Wait, what melted a piston?

The only fuel on field is leaded avgas, so I keep three 5 gallon plastic gas cans in the back of the truck. It's less than a mile from the gas station selling ethanol-free premium to the hangar. I've briefly considered a larger container, but I don't like the thought of hauling gasoline around any more than necessary. The guy I bought the plane from had a 15 gallon fuel can with a 2-wheel cart and pump... definitely not worth the hassle of getting something like that in and out of my pickup bed.

[waterboy2110]

Originally Posted by DaleB

Wait, what melted a piston?

I've kept it on the down low hoping Rotax would come through with the warranty but that's not looking too promising.

It was a warm day, EFIS data says the engine was within it's operating parameters - Phillips 66 was nice enough to pull a fuel sample and confirm I had good fuel.

New engine - 4 hour conversation with head of Quality Control for AvGas from Phillips... Bottom line - it just not worth the risk for me.
You guys do what feels right for you.

[rongawer]

Let’s see, at 36 gallons a week for 100LL @$4.05/gallon, that’s $145 a week. The same amount in 91UL @$2.80/gallon is $100.80. So, assuming 46 weeks a year, that’s roughly $2,000 a year. Plus, I have to deal with leaded fuel, a dirtier engine, more frequent oil changes and so on... it’s a lot more than a few cents.

Now, if you’re engine isn’t rated to run on 91AKI, then you have a separate issue. But for those who can on run on MOGAS, why not?

Stopping at the gas station on the way to airport and filling a portable tank is pretty easy. And then just running the hose over to the airplane and transfering it is pretty easy too. IMO, it’s about the same effort as moving the plane over to the pumps and fueling it there; even a little less hassle.

As for the fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) about diesel versus gasoline fuel tanks - there’s physically nothing different about the tank. Just be sure to use a static line as the diesel one’s don’t have one.

[vernon smith]

Before there is a mass migration to the "buy it at the airport philosophy" you should look at the fuels Rotax recommends, none of which are available at most local airports. Our field (PGN) is full of Rotax planes fueled by premium pump gas. Their hangers are full of five gallon lawn mower plastic cans. Hopefully, the fire marshal is sympathetic. I called the local Rotax dealer and high test pump gas is their number one recommended fuel, although I thought it would be 90 no ethanol.

If you are going to transport gasoline in any manner I suggest the best way, short of a semi truck, is a racing fuel cell designed to withstand impact collisions in excess of 200 mph. Additionally, the fuel cell comes with AN liquid transfer fitting in place, so all the normal aviation plumbing hardware screws into place.

I'm not making any recommendations as to how you should get your fuel to a location that does not have it available, I'm just telling you how I do it.

[RFSchaller]

I use the 5 gallon plastic containers and I agree with the gripes about hoisting 30 lbs of fuel up to pour it in. The new self venting nozzles are horrible with the pitiful trickle they provide. Many thanks to the Vans AF member who posted the vent and nozzle kit that converts the cans to the old style of pouring from a vented container.

I thought about a fuel caddy, but then realized I would still have to fill cans at the station to then pour into the caddy before fueling my plane. (I have no practical way to transport a caddy with 120 lbs of fuel in it between the airport and gas station.

In the end I just continue to haul gas and curse the spills and weight of the cans.