Draining fuel tank on PA18
- Thread starter cubnut93
- Start date
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
The fuel tank itself. Clip one end of the cable to a tab or seam on the tank and the other end to the METAL barrel/bucket that the fuel is draining into. This will keep the two pieces at the same voltage so no sparks can jump. Some guys will also attach a second cable from the barrel to a cold water pipe or ground rod for the hanger.
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I select the tank and drain through the strainer. Shorter hose, shorter bonding wire. I bond any good grounding point on the airplane to the metal fuel can I'm draining into. If I use a plastic container I make sure the drain hose is long enough to reach the bottom of the container and park my butt on fire watch until it's finished.
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Fire watch is aptly named. Once a fuel fire starts, all you can do is watch.
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Dan Gervae
FRIEND
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I use gascolator to drain as well
BC12D-4-85
SPONSOR
Fairbanks, AK.
In summer I try to wet the ground around the plane and bucket/container if draining...unless it's on floats. Humidity tends to dissipate static was my thinking but maybe that's just a dream. Winter is drier and static sparks common.
Gary
Gary
OK so I have had a glass or two tonight, but just put the fuel selector on Right and go fly until the engine coughs then go to Left!! Problem solved! I use jiggle hose for fuel from tanker 185 on long flights but all the STOL guys drain from below cowl I use a simple wire to insure ground of fuel. Do not try to drain or add fuel in hanger!!!
Denny
Denny
Last edited:
This is the best way by far!!! DENNY
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
Well, Glenn, I’ll explain it for guys who may be interested in information more than cynicism. The greatest area of spark potential is where the drain line is near the container. Since that’s almost exclusively below the top of the filler it makes sense to keep the vapor concentration inside the container richer than ignition level while stabilizing the drain tube to prevent movement in the container neck. What vapors are pushed out through the rag will quickly dissipate in free air and with a rag isolating the tube from the container there’s almost zero spark potential above the rag.
Have a nice day.
Have a nice day.
Gordon Misch
MEMBER
Toledo, Wa (KTDO)
And what's in the can as filling begins?
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Well, as entertaining as this is getting, lol, just remember that NO hanger operator allows fueling/defueling operations inside their hanger. This is true of military and most civilian operations. Them fumes is bad.
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