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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / January 2009Decent fuel pump
My current fuel pump (for pumping fuel from the can into the model's tank) leaks badly. When I bought it (at the LHS), I explicitly asked if it was leak free. They confirmed. This time, I want a good one. I don't mind spending a bit, as long as I get good stuff. Any recommendations?  SignatureRoRo > My current fuel pump (for pumping fuel from the can into the model's > tank) leaks badly. When I bought it (at the LHS), I explicitly asked [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Any recommendations? ------------ Which brand of fuel pump do you currently own? Sometimes the 0-rings dry out and need replacing. Folks here can confirm or deny that possibility and might be able to provide instructions for replacing the dried out culprits. If no answer here, go to www.rcuniverse.com, www.rcgroups.com or www.rchangout.com and ask your question there. I'm sure you will receive an answer. Ed Cregger >Which brand of fuel pump do you currently own? I am not sure. Possibly "Texson" or something similar. Looks like the kind of stuff that anybody can buy and stick their brand name on it. >Sometimes the 0-rings dry out >and need replacing. It leaked from the very start. I wouldn't be surprised if there are no O-rings at all anywhere. >Folks here can confirm or deny that possibility and >might be able to provide instructions for replacing the dried out culprits. It was and is cheap in all meanings of the word. I don't want to keep it. I want a good one :-) SignatureRoRo >>Which brand of fuel pump do you currently own? > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > It was and is cheap in all meanings of the word. I don't want to keep > it. I want a good one :-) ----------- I like the Sullivan electric pumps from a few years ago. I have always received long and reliable service from them. Sometimes I use cheap Tower pumps and they need rebuilding right out of the package (its been a while since this has happened). You can adjust the tension against the pump's gland seal to stop any leaking, usually. I change fuel mixtures so often that it is difficult to put an expensive pump on every fuel bottle. Hence, I stick with the cheaper manual pumps on the less often used fuel mixtures and usually have good luck with them. Of course, this only holds true on a shipment by shipment basis of fuel pumps. Good luck finding that which you seek. Come back and let us know what you have chosen. Ed Cregger >>>Which brand of fuel pump do you currently own? >> [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Ed Cregger I got so tired of leaking electric fuel pumps that I went mechanical. Then I got bored with always having to fix them. I finally resorted to gravity feeds which don't stress the mechanicals I keep as back ups for when it fails.. It takes a while with a big tank, but part of the fun at the flying field is visiting with friends. YMMV Jim Branaum AMA 1428 > I got so tired of leaking electric fuel pumps that I went mechanical. > Then I got bored with always having to fix them. I finally resorted to > gravity feeds which don't stress the mechanicals I keep as back ups for > when it fails.. It takes a while with a big tank, but part of the fun at > the flying field is visiting with friends. If you have 12 volts at hand for your starter, or field charger, or what-not, I may have another solution for you, and you will never have a leaking fuel pump. I had a friend that flew a lot of gassers, and he had a novel way to get around the fuel pump problem. He got a rubber air pump bulb off of a blood pressure cuff, along with the check valve from it, and the pressure release thumbscrew. He had the pump hooked up to his one gallon fuel jug's vent opening, and when he wanted to fill up, he would pump a little air pressure into the tank, then open a small valve on the fuel line coming out of the tank, with which he could precisely control the fuel flow going into the plane. It worked like a charm. I have always thought that if I did something like that, I would use one of those tire pumps that plug into your cigarette lighter for the air supply, and perhaps rig a small sensitive air pressure valve (perhaps it would not even be needed, since you can monitor the amount of bulge in the plastic gallon fuel jug) onto the gas tank to monitor the pressure. I think a few seconds of the pump running would probably fill it with enough pressure to fill the average tank, pretty quickly. Fish tank valves, tubing and check valves could be used, and if you have a spare tire pump sitting around, (seems like I always have at least two spare ones cluttering up the garage) the whole rig would be pretty darn cheap. SignatureJim in NC >> I got so tired of leaking electric fuel pumps that I went mechanical. >> Then I got bored with always having to fix them. I finally resorted to [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > sitting around, (seems like I always have at least two spare ones > cluttering up the garage) the whole rig would be pretty darn cheap. While that is all true; gravity is in my price range, doesn't take monitoring (other than for full tank), and has little risk of excess except for some wasted fuel. I started out using it on my gassers and then expanded it to my glow birds. : ^ ) > While that is all true; gravity is in my price range, doesn't take > monitoring (other than for full tank), and has little risk of excess > except for some wasted fuel. I started out using it on my gassers and > then expanded it to my glow birds. : ^ ) Wow. That puts new meaning to "thrifty.' If you had the battery already, and had a spare air pump, the rest of the stuff couldn't run more than 5 bucks, and could be used on multiple fuels, all except the outlet valve. Myself, I could not be bothered to monitor the slow process of gravity, for that long, or to stand holding up a fuel can, or else find something to sit it on to get decent height. For now, my auto parts generic fuel pump works fine, but when that goes, I'll go to the pressure system. But, different strokes for different folks is what makes the world go 'round. SignatureJim in NC >> While that is all true; gravity is in my price range, doesn't take >> monitoring (other than for full tank), and has little risk of excess [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > But, different strokes for different folks is what makes the world go > 'round. Thrifty? Nah, just cheap! Finding something to hold the can above the aircraft is fairly easy. Even top of the plane sometimes works. I have all that stuff and it works, I just get tired of wasting precious flying and visiting time repairing it or building it. Call me lazy. > My current fuel pump (for pumping fuel from the can into the model's > tank) leaks badly. When I bought it (at the LHS), I explicitly asked [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Any recommendations? I'm guessing hand crank here? I think Sullivan has a good one. I don't like hanger 9 or tower. The last one I bought has been good. I wish I could get the bulb kind. I do have one for GAS.(petrol) mk >I'm guessing hand crank here? No, 12V electric. Sorry I forgot to sepcify. SignatureRoRo Goedendag Robert, Go to your local junkyard and get yourself a Mercedes or BMW waterpump for windscreen cleaning. The make is VDO, excellent quality. Most, if not all, waterpumps do not handle gas/petrol/benzine, whatever you name it, very well. The plastic dissolves. Prettig weekend ;-) Ron van Sommeren www.rmvc-cumulus.nl near Nijmegen, the Netherlands Ooops, too fast, > Go to your local junkyard and get yourself a Mercedes or BMW waterpump > for windscreen cleaning. The make is VDO, excellent quality. I was referring to BMW/Mercedes gear-pumps, not hose pumps, in case BMW/Mercedes used those too. Prettig weekend ;-) Ron van Sommeren www.rmvc-cumulus.nl near Nijmegen, the Netherlands >Go to your local junkyard and get yourself a Mercedes or BMW waterpump >for windscreen cleaning. The make is VDO, excellent quality. Actually, the one I had before the cheap junk I have now WAS a VDO. It was from an Audi. The very reason I replaced it, was that it leaked. It was very old, though, so a newer one might be better. I opened it, and it seemed the rubber parts were disintegrating. It leaked less and was a lot more powerful, so the replacement was a total disappointment. >Most, if not all, waterpumps do not handle gas/petrol/benzine, whatever >you name it, very well. The plastic dissolves. I don't have any petrol models (yet), only methanol. But I guess both methanol and nitromethane can be aggressive to some types of plastic. Since windshield wasing fluid also contains spirits, that should probably be OK. But what about rubber parts and oil. I know rubber and petroleum based oils don't go well together. What about the type of oil we have in the fuel? SignatureRoRo >>Go to your local junkyard and get yourself a Mercedes or BMW waterpump >>for windscreen cleaning. The make is VDO, excellent quality. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I don't have any petrol models (yet), only methanol. But I guess both > methanol and nitromethane can be aggressive to some types of plastic. Not nearly as bad as petrol Robert. A windscreen washer pump will last for years and they're probably the least expensive way to go. I've had a VW washer pump for 15 years or more and it still pumps without leaks. > Since windshield wasing fluid also contains spirits, that should > probably be OK. But what about rubber parts and oil. I know rubber and > petroleum based oils don't go well together. What about the type of > oil we have in the fuel? Not a problem unless you try pumping petrol. That stuff will eat a washer pump for breakfast and another for lunch. SignatureBeav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19 >>> Go to your local junkyard and get yourself a Mercedes or BMW waterpump >>> for windscreen cleaning. The make is VDO, excellent quality. [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Not a problem unless you try pumping petrol. That stuff will eat a washer > pump for breakfast and another for lunch. do washer pumps work ok in reverse? SignatureKevin R Reply address works > do washer pumps work ok in reverse? Yes, no problem. Vriendelijke groeten ;-) Ron van Sommeren near Nijmegen, Netherlands http://home.hetnet.nl/~ronvans/ >> do washer pumps work ok in reverse? > Yes, no problem. > > Vriendelijke groeten ;-) Ron van Sommeren > near Nijmegen, Netherlands > http://home.hetnet.nl/~ronvans/ I tried one years ago that had a rubber impeller that refused to run in reverse SignatureKevin R Reply address works >> do washer pumps work ok in reverse? >Yes, no problem. Not necessarily. Most of them are gear pumps. They work well both ways and are also able to pull a little vacuum, so they can lift the fuel out of the can. But some washer pumps are centrifugal pumps. They have to be mounted below the fluid level and they pump only one way. Here's one example: http://www.biltema.no/products/product.asp?iItemId=89323 (you can click the picture to get a slightly larger one). SignatureRoRo >>>> Go to your local junkyard and get yourself a Mercedes or BMW waterpump >>>> for windscreen cleaning. The make is VDO, excellent quality. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >> > do washer pumps work ok in reverse? Mine does, can't speak for all of them though. SignatureBeav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19 The Slimline Boxxer http://www.slimlineproducts.com/online_shop/boxxer_pump.htm . I've been through many pumps and it's the only one that is made to last. Most of the junk sold these days falls apart with 6 months of hard use but the Slimline is built to last plus rebuild parts are available. This thing is machined from billet aluminum and the pump head can be rebuilt. It costs a few dollars more but it's the last pump you'll buy. It won't siphon and it doesn't leak! Dave > My current fuel pump (for pumping fuel from the can into the model's > tank) leaks badly. When I bought it (at the LHS), I explicitly asked [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Any recommendations? >The Slimline Boxxer >http://www.slimlineproducts.com/online_shop/boxxer_pump.htm . I've been >through many pumps and it's the only one that is made to last. Most of the >junk sold these days falls apart with 6 months of hard use but the Slimline >is built to last plus rebuild parts are available. That looks like a peristaltic hose pump. Their biggest problem is that the hose wears out from the repeated squishing. The rebuild kit costs about the same as my cheap pump. Do you have any experience with how long one kit will last? They state that the tubing in the rebuild kit is 12" long. That should be enough for 3 or 4 changes, I'd think? >This thing is machined from billet aluminum and the pump head can be >rebuilt. It costs a few dollars more but it's the last pump you'll buy. Well, $50 is quite a few dollars. With another 50 for shipping, it does not come cheap. I'll have to think about that for a while... >It won't siphon and it doesn't leak! Except when the hose is worn out and bursts, I guess. Then you won't have a leak, but a really messy blowout. Not something I'd want inside my field box. SignatureRoRo Yes, it's a hose pump. I've had mine for over two years now and have had no problems. I consider the cost cheap considering how many of the junk pumps I've been through. The Hobbico pumps never lasted more than 6 months for me, one lasted only a few weeks. So I've spent more on those in less time than on the Slimline. Plus I've never gone to the field and lost a day of flying because my Boxxer blew out on me. $50 for shipping? Look again. The $50 is the total. Shipping is listed as **, calculated after payment info is entered. I think the rebuild kit will do one rebuild. The tube extends out of the case. Yes, it's more expensive than the cheap, crappy pumps. But it's a solid product with customer support and is repairable. Just like anything else, you get what you pay for. Dave >>The Slimline Boxxer >>http://www.slimlineproducts.com/online_shop/boxxer_pump.htm . I've been [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > have a leak, but a really messy blowout. Not something I'd want inside > my field box. > Yes, it's a hose pump. I've had mine for over two years now and have had > no problems. I consider the cost cheap considering how many of the junk [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > $50 for shipping? Look again. The $50 is the total. Shipping is listed > as Wouldn't shipping cost depend on where he was having it shipped? mk >> Yes, it's a hose pump. I've had mine for over two years now and have had >> no problems. I consider the cost cheap considering how many of the junk [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Wouldn't shipping cost depend on where he was having it shipped? > mk ----------- In all of my years of flying, I've never had a fuel pump problem that couldn't be fixed with a new set of 0-rings. And I have flown A LOT. Ed Cregger >$50 for shipping? Look again. OK. I can't find that info now. I must have been imagining things. Anyway, I found this: "Slimline ships orders within the United States & Canada only.". And I also found exactly zero international dealers in their dealer locator table. It seems they don't want my money. I'll see if I drop them an email... SignatureRoRo |
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