Results 1 to 26 of 26
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07-14-2024, 11:56 PM #1
Fuel Caddy
Does anybody have a 30-40gal fuel caddy they use or recommend? Trying to figure a way to have unleaded fuel available in hanger. I see some on Amazon, but I worry they are crap. It will be awhile until I have unleaded fuel available on my airfield.
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07-15-2024, 02:11 PM #2
Pretty sure we used these https://www.redlinestands.com/catalo...l-caddy-p-2022
We had electric pumps but they would always fail or the battery would be dead. We'd order fuel by the 50 gallon drum transfer it to the caddy to fuel airplanes. Not sure I would say they were worth the money they are charging for them but they were rugged. -
07-15-2024, 03:54 PM #3
I use two 14-galScepter Marine DuraMax Flo n' Go 14-Gallon Wheeled Fuel Transports from Academy Sports (~$140 each but often on sale). They are light enough to pickup when full and roll them into the back of my Jeep side by side. However I don't like the fact that, because they are plastic, the sides can swell if they are set out in the sun and the rolling wheels then don't roll so well. Longer axle should fix that but I just haven't gotten around to it.
Fill-Rite RD812NH 12V 8 GPM Portable Fuel Transfer Pump for the transfer to the plane with an auto shutoff nozzle.
I did just notice that there is a new model of my fuel caddy out for just over 300 which has a built-in pump. Looks like a winner for just over $300
I'm grounded and retire from my day job tomorrow so fly on down here when they give you a day off from flying "da buss". Gage -
07-15-2024, 05:15 PM #4
I'll definitely be doing that, you have to show me your hockey stops!
(Congrats on your successful career! If you have your CFI I could use ya when the school gets going) -
07-15-2024, 05:24 PM #6
Alas Erich, even though I was AF T-38 instructor I never took the military competency test after separating from the service to transfer it to CFII. Might do it now that I have the time though!
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07-17-2024, 09:37 AM #7
I've been using two normal 5-gallon plastic Jerry cans and I may add a third. Refill on the way home with Shell 93 octane unleaded, take the fresh fuel with me to the airport each time. I use a Tera pump (below) to transfer. The engine loves the clean fuel.
[h=1]TERA PUMP 4th Gen TRFA01 Fuel Transfer Pump with Auto-Stop for Overfill Protection (2.9 GPM) Includes 3x Gas Can Adapters, Long Hose, Liquid Transfer Pump for E15, E85, Gas, Diesel[/h] -
07-17-2024, 11:04 AM #9
During the five years I have owned my A5, I have been using three of the 5-gallon Surecan plastic containers. Amazon $58.97. I cut an 18-inch piece of hose and attach it to the nozzle, fitted for a leak-free Operation, with the end of the hose inserted into the A5 tank. I set the can on a 12-inch step stool on the seawing when the A5 is on land, or just hold the can by hand if refueling in the water. I like the flexibility of buying gas one two or three containers at a time and carrying them in my trunk. I know that this sounds a bit involved. I find that it works well.
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07-17-2024, 11:09 AM #10
Gas cans
Second for this system below. I put 5 gallons in while burping the oil. Simple. I recommend replacing the 5 gallon fuel can caps with these:
https://a.co/d/1RsAfUb
(Also, that 14 gallon caddy with pump previously mentioned is only $119 today on Amazon prime day):
https://a.co/d/jbMUt3A
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07-17-2024, 11:37 AM #11
We've used the Flo-Fast tanks/manual pump/caddy. They are tough. But one thing to consider in this thread is that you need to review your hangar lease. Many have clauses about storing fuel in the hangar, restrictions on fueling while in the hangar, etc.
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01-14-2025, 12:20 PM #14
I noticed near by gas station has 90 octane non-ethanol, I know book says minimum of 91, but is 93 with 10% ethanol really better than 90 with no ethanol?
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01-14-2025, 12:28 PM #15
Yeah I have seen places with fuel like that. For me in Texas, Buccee's has a higher octane non ethanol. From what I have read on this subject, lead is the enemy of the ROTAX, not 10% ethanol. I'd take 91 or above with ethanol (I do super unleaded but cheaper 91 octane is approved) if I can't find an ethanol free one at or above 91. I avoid 100LL unless I am on a cross-country and there is no other choice, wiping down exhaust area with Simple9 after each lead to lessen lead residue staining near exhaust. I'm new at this, but that's what I learned.
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01-14-2025, 12:34 PM #16
It's a bit of trouble but I used to mix 90 non-ethanol with 92 ethanol at 50/50 to get a 91 with about 5% ethanol. Ed, I would think that you could mix the 90 non-ethanol with 1/3 93 ethanol for a 91 octane with about 3.3% ethanol content. I THINK my math is right.
Others I know with mix "a bit" of 100LL with a 90 non-ethanol blend. -
01-14-2025, 12:38 PM #17
Yeah, I read the mixing of some 100LL is done to make winter formula auto gas last longer in storage. I've got 14 gal that I will have to burn in my car now that it has sat since Nov. Whenever I get back in the air I will reload tank with fresh gas.
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01-14-2025, 01:13 PM #18
so it sounds like 91 octane is true minimum, I would have thought 90 would be close enough , but sounds like its best to use the 93 w 10% ethanol
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01-14-2025, 01:21 PM #20
I have a friend who flys Seareys and he uses 90 octane in his bird all the time - and says he has never had an issue. His reasoning is that the octane stated on the pump is a required minimum - and that likely you are pumping gas that's better than the pump sticker. But he's also the same guy who doesn't even carry liability insurance on any of his three planes.
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01-15-2025, 09:51 AM #23
Unstabilized fuel can’t really sit for months and be fresh. Winter fuel mix also doesn’t like sitting. I’ll burn in my car, but not the plane.
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01-15-2025, 09:58 AM #24
Unstabilized fuel does not go bad in under two months! A year, okay, in some rare instances it can, and beyond a year it becomes more likely for sure (just add some stabilizer if it's going to sit for a long time), and that time can be shorter if it's stored at higher temps (like 90 degrees, not likely anywhere in the northern hemisphere in November-January).
Obviously I am not saying don't do what you feel comfortable with, but that seems way beyond a reasonable caution. If you he had actual problems in that kind of time frame you should find a different place to buy gas. -
01-15-2025, 10:17 AM #25
I agree I am being overly cautious, but I just want my baby to have the peppiest gas
Im still going use it in my Jeep, throwing it out would be a bit silly. -
01-15-2025, 12:29 PM #26
I'm on board with Erich with this one BUT each person's case is different. My local airport actually put in a non-ethanol pump just for me - even though I told them not to. They didn't want me to bring my own non-ethanol to the airport- even though Texas law requires them to allow me to do so. I knew from the price they were going to charge and the fact that it would not be self-service that their non-ethanol would go bad before it was ever sold. A year after they put in the pump they took it out - just as I told them they likely would because no-one would buy their stale gas.
If I buy non-ethanol from a big chain like Buc-ee's around lake country or in the middle of mowing season I know it has a fairly high turn over rate and I'll burn it for 6 months in da plane before relegating it to the lawnmowers. If I buy gas from some mom & pop store I use it in 3 months in the plane max - because I gotta assume it hasn't been turned over in months.
I have already had to land once because my primary gas supplier wasn't filtering their gas sufficiently. I don't take chances on fuel anymore. I filter everything myself before it goes into the plane.
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