Great Balls Of Fire!!
You guys must think I'm completely nuts!
It's OK, come on out and say it. Don't hold back.
Great Balls Of Fire!!
You guys must think I'm completely nuts!
It's OK, come on out and say it. Don't hold back.
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Taper Tip Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
SkySteve's SPOT Page
SkySteve's You Tube Videos
I don't think you are nuts Steve. Just take the proper safety precautions and enjoy fuel at your hangar. When I get to the point where I am flying I will install a tidy tank in my truck.
99% of the time a 5-gallon can (or two) is just fine.
Still trying to make this work. Here are the new additions:
1. Grounded the fuel pump to the steel frame (self tapping screw and jumper cable clamp).
2. Grounded the frame to the ground with dragger chain (self tapping screws in two places).
3. Grounding cable with jumper cable clamp (self tapping screw to frame) to clamp to airplane exhaust.
4. Covered pump nozzle with poly pipe so metal nozzle cannot touch metal wing fuel tank neck.
5. New Rule: Move plane outside of hangar, roll fuel station out of hangar, attach ground cable to exhaust pipe, pump fuel into wing tanks.
Goal: Convenience, Cost savings & Safety.
So, what do you think? Am I good to go or am I still missing something?
Upgraded Fuel Station:
Pump Grounded to Frame:
Grounding Chain to Frame & Airplane Exhaust Cable:
Poly Cover for Pump Nozzle:
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Taper Tip Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
SkySteve's SPOT Page
SkySteve's You Tube Videos
I may be wrong, but I think covering the metal nozzle might not be the proper thing to do.
Gas station and aircraft fueling nozzles are uncovered. ??
Good point. Easily fixed with the old pocket knife.
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Taper Tip Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
SkySteve's SPOT Page
SkySteve's You Tube Videos
Steve,
I think with the mods (good grounding) and your procedures (outside) you are better off than most for hangar refueling.
I have to admit that I have from time to time (snow or rain situations) fueled the plane with gas cans inside the hangar rather than outside....reformed sinner, you see......
Av8R3400's comment about the bare nozzle is right on. The Kitfox fuel cap ring is not grounded to the aircraft frame unless steps have been taken in building to make it so...the solution here is keeping the bare nozzle in constant contact with the fuel cap ring while fuel is flowing.....
Sincerely,
Dave S
Photos are great Steve. Looks like you got it covered. If the chain gets dirty, grease covered or rusty, just make sure you have good continuity. Many years ago as a kid I remember cars had a braided wire attached to the back bumper that drug on the ground to relieve the static charge build up as it rolled down the highway. This is what I had in mind. I need one of those on this velour easy chair I'm sitting in right now. When ever I slide off this chair and touch the laptop screen -WOW, what a shock, 4kv right out of my fingertips. -Lion8
Yes, I too remember cars dragging those straps around!
Thanks for all the help. I feel SO safe now. Don't know how I made it all these years pouring gas from steel and plastic containers into cars, trucks, tractors, swathers, lawn mowers, chain saws, etc without blowing myself up.
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Taper Tip Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
SkySteve's SPOT Page
SkySteve's You Tube Videos
Hi Steve
I have been using a similar unit for the past 2 years,only mine is a standard 200 liter (50USG) fuel drum. My rolling platform is a former heavy machine carrier c/w about 8 inch solid rubber wheels. It is the same height as my pickup bed therefore is easy to slide even with 150 liters of fuel in it.
I have been grounding to the fuel tank filler lip but will now change to the exhaust. I drag a ground strap that is attached to the pump/drum. I also have a filter/water separator attached to the hand pump.
I ALWAYS fill on the ramp well away from the hanger. I use "marked unleaded fuel" for non road use obtained from our local bulk plant. To date it is ethanol free but that may change next year.
So far it works great. Much easier than Jerry cans!
I will take some photos next time I fill up.
Cheers
Don