best practices for transporting fuel

You might still be able to find metal 5gal cans in some of the smaller auto parts stores located out in the boondocks. I found metal 5gal cans in Wasilla NAPA store (sitting on a high shelf)- but admittedly that was probably 8 years ago.

My copper wire does rest against the outside of the container, but I still use a metal can while fueling the wing tanks. If I have to, I first transfer the gas from a plastic container to a metal one while away from the cub. It is a bit anal, I realize, but what would a guy do if there was a "pop" while fueling the wing tank? You'd want to save your face, but as you jumped clear I can just imagine having that 5 gal following you down! Things would get exciting fast! Just like Socialism in this country, "I don't never want to see that!"

Static

I had a interesting display of static the other night. My wife was on the couch with the cat in her lap. I got up out of my chair and went over to the cat and lightly grabbed each ear. Wow, I got shocked, the cat got shocked a spark jumped from his foot and shocked my wife. It sparked so hard that we both heard the snap of the spark from the cat to my wife. Every body laughed except the cat. There is no doubt that would have ignited fumes. Just dry cold weather really gets that static super charged. I'm going to pump fuel out of a 55 Gallon metal drum with a good ground to the drum and another to the plane, then touch the nozzel to the metal on the plane and start pumping. Thats probably the best way I know of doing that. I have a friend that has been doing that for 20 years with no problem.

Bill

I always touch the nozzle to the lift eye before I even think of opening the fuel cap.

I don't have a grounding wire, tho, do ya's think that is necessary?
I'm thinking that the friction/static of the running gas is connected (via the gas) to the tank anyway so the charge would remain neutral.

Have I been risking life/airplane???

A note about Placards:

Get the correct one. If you are ever in any situation with a wreck, when emergency guys show up, guess how they determine the next move?

If you say you have diesel, and have gas, you may cost a life when an unexpected explosion happens

It does not matter gas or diesel for Packards, your fuel and container must weigh under 1010 lbs total I believe... total hauled. So even in three barrels, you are in need of the signs, or one big tank.

Just to think about.

mvivion said:

I really wish someone would build good metal cans for gas.

Click to expand...

Vicki found a source for the old round cans last year, and I think they even had the metal pop-out spout and cap rather than the plastic tubes and lids that don't like it colder than about +20. She had them for sale at Tamarack, but I have not checked for them this winter.

Nimpo,

If you are using metal cans, touching the can to the plane prior to pouring should do the trick. Then, KEEP the spout in contact with the plane. Same for fueling with a standard hose and nozzle--keep the nozzle in contact with the filler neck at all times.

If you're using plastic cans, it doesn't make any difference, really, cause the plastic is going to cause the charge to build up on the outside of the whole can. It may dissipate a tiny local portion of the charge from the nozzle if you touch it to the filler, but bottom line is that if ENOUGH static builds on the outside of the can, it will arc to the plane and that MAY ignite the fuel vapors.

Fuel being poured is NOT a good conductor.

Be safe out there. As I noted, I've fueled a lot out of plastic cans, but it always gives me the willys. A friend burned an airplane down pouring gas out of a plastic can. He said at one point he heard an odd sound, not loud, and looked down at the fuel filler, and he said he could see a blueish glow inside the tank. He jumped off the wing about the time it went up. He wasn't hurt, but the plane was a total. Winter.

MTV

When I built my plane I put the tank fill cap to far out board , making it hard to fill the wing tanks from a can while standing on the tire.
So I had to come up with something to fill the plane when in the bush.
I took a 5 gal. plastic fuel can and put a "AN838-8" fitting in the top with
a 1/2" alum. tube attached on the inside for a stand pipe. Then I drilled, taped and then JB welded a 1/8" brass fitting with a tire valve stem in the very top of the gas jug next to the handle.then I put 8 foot of 1/2" hose on the AN fitting.
I always carry a small hand tire pump like the bicycle guys carry, it is very small and only weights 10ozs.
With the can on the ground I atach the tire pump and and use air to push the fuel, it takes a little less than 4 mins. of slow pumping to empty the 5 gal. plastic jug.
With the jug on the ground I think{hope} I will not get a spark!!
Doug

transporting fuel

a few years back our leader S.J. posted this link about static electricity.
Very interesting and informative...
Thanks S.J.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2306375174608358801&hl=en

West Marine sells a 35gal. fueling tank on wheels and it comes with a fuel hose and nozzel. You pump it up with a air. Maybe and option.