ABI Fuel Bags

[Alaska_Rallyer]

I just purchased one of the ABI collapsible fuel bags. Holds a bit more then 5 Gals. Drains FAST! Such an improvement over the red blitz cans.
Question
Has anyone been experience leak problems? Im told that people are putting o-rings in the cap to stop leaks.
My bag does not leak. I see its possible to not screw the spout in all the way witch could stop the cap from seating.

 

[TirolCub]

Never had problems with my ABI fuel bags. They work perfect :smile:

 

[pfjay52]

Yeah, I have noticed that it's possible to leave the spout slightly out so that it prevents the cap sealing properly. I always make sure it's screwed all the way in before securing the cap. Apart from that, they work perfectly.
Cheers,
phil

 

[Jacques]

Yeah, I have noticed that it's possible to leave the spout slightly out so that it prevents the cap sealing properly. I always make sure it's screwed all the way in before securing the cap. Apart from that, they work perfectly.
Cheers,
phil

Have many problems with bags...
Lost cap due broken holder, lost side handle, broken spout nozzle and lost it inside bag.
Cheap product...

 

[Brian Fox]

I have only used mine a few times but have had no problems at all. I like the fact that they drain so quickly!

 

[scout88305]

Ditto on broken spout. Nozzle snapped in warm summer temps. Odd thread size so cannot find an adapter. I wouldn't call them expedition proven IMO. I have 2.

 

[OLDCROWE]

I have two and one spout broke mid length. Haven't gotten around to the fix but I think it will be easy to cut it and slip a fuel acceptable (no vinyl, it erodes rapidly) hose over it for a better deal all around.

 

[Bugs66]

I have been using mine on several trips without issues. One time a nozzel unscrewed itself into the bag but was easy to dump back out. I made sure to tighten better next time. I love these bags and work great. I have used with mogas and avgas with no leaks to date. If you don't have the PVC shutoff valve for them, worth getting as it makes even easier to fuel.

 

[Mush]

Same, bought 2 bags and broke one spout. Prosealed it back together, but haven't tested it yet.

 

[cpthazard]

same here, what i like is packing fuel in my belly tank then when arriving at my secret spot for a weekend of beer camping I'll siphon out enough to fill my two ABI bladders, when the weekend is done then I've got ten gallons to pour back into the belly tank and head for the nearest fuel farm. Wup put me onto the ATV spouts after my first one broke on the first attempt at using it. It came as a kit with a shut off valve, threaded adapters and about 18 inches of vinyl tubing....I got no complaints about the bags, wish they had been available 40 years ago when I started packing the red Jerry Cans, then the plastics...these are great.

 

[OLDCROWE]

Pour a bag full through vinyl tubing and into a filter funnel and you'll never do it again after you look at the goo that stays behind. Typical hardware store vinyl hose erodes with avgas.

 

[cpthazard]

Now you've got me nervous, I think I'll siphon out five gallons and pour it back in only as you suggest through a filter funnel. I just filled the plane up in prep for an Idaho trip next weekend, those recip siphon hoses are made of vinyl too. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[JP]

Love the bags. The shutoff spout assembly is problematic. Mine won't thread on my bags. Gave up and simply set the darn thing up on the wing with a siphon. Slower, but it works. Caps don't leak so long as you make sure they threaded. The bags are worth their weight in gold for toting fuel around.

 

[Alaska_Rallyer]

I wonder if it is better to leave the spout out of the bladder and under the seat or something. It sounds like the spouts are fragile and the could break when rolling up the bag...
Where can i find this valve set up?

 

[cpthazard]

Well Wup sells them with the bladders, I bought one and it works well but then the spout broke so I got a combo set at a Yamaha Super Store, if it's made by Yamaha they sell it, the end piece screws right into the bladder then there's an on off valve (PVC, similar to the one's Bush Wheel sells) then about 18inches of clear tubing. At OleCrows urgiing I'm going to test it tomorrow to see if it's 100LL resistant, if it's not then it's all for naught, coming from a supplier for recreational vehicles I suspect the hose will be of sufficient quality to handle av gas.

 

[Iflylower]

Ive used my ABI bag seven or eight times. I took it on my JC trip out west this summer. It's handy to have and carry, both full and empty. I find the bag solid, but not the removable nozzle. Pouring into my Mr. Funnel, the nozzle was leaking both at the bag/nozzle interface, and at the half joint in the nozzle.

I tried to screw in the nozzle further, but it was bottomed. I went flying and left it, so I didn't investigate enough. I got more fuel in the tank than on the wing, but I'd like to clean up that sloppiness. A valve would probobly be nice so I don't overwhelm the mr funnel when it's really pouring...

Another note. I've had a Swiss water bag burst when it warmed up in the day. I am always care ful to fill in my 5 gallons and the squish the bag till fuel is right at the top of the neck and put on the cap. I want as much expansion room as possible.

 

[hottshot]

The hose is a part from WPS that screws into the valve, you can use a PVC or brass ball valve We got some more lids so people can build spouts like these, they work much better than the internal spout and much more control.

 

[courierguy]

Mo-gas only in mine. I have had a continuing issue with the spout being hard to thread into the bag, it wants to cross thread. Not a deal breaker though as I can always forgo the spout entirely and pour directly into the tank. I love the extremely rapid pour time. I don't roll mine tight rather just get it flat and store up against the baggage area wall so takes up less room then rolled up and probably easier on the bag?

 

[JP]

That's my biggest prob--poor or cross threads on the internal such that it leaks when you go to use the spout.

Wup, can you post information for allcon ref ordering caps and a parts list so we can craft up some direct attach spouts. That seems to be the best answer to the internal spout bugs that many of us have encountered.

And, for the record for our readers, support from the company has been terrific and the bag itself is top notch and a must have for ski flying, long trips, toting fuel, etc.

 

[flyinalaska]

When I use mine I put a t-shirt on the wing and then set the bag on the shirt and it easily slides to the low side of the wing below the fuel cap. From there it is easy to put the spout into the wing tank without spilling fuel. The bag will easily slide on the t-shirt to the high side of the wing as the bag empties. I've had great luck with this method and had found the spouts haven't leaked if I don't over tighten them. Using this method the spouts are at a little less than a 90 degree angle. Sliding the bag on a shirt really reduces the amount of effort to empty the bag also. Love the bags and haven't felt the need for a shut off valve. Just more weight to carry. Could be useful if wanting to just partially empty the bags though. A one piece spout makes more sense though, wonder why it wasn't made that way to begin with.

 

[Iflylower]

The hose is a part from WPS that screws into the valve, you can use a PVC or brass ball valve We got some more lids so people can build spouts like these, they work much better than the internal spout and much more control.

Can just caps be ordered from ABI?

 

[hottshot]

Can just caps be ordered from ABI?

Soon.... Very soon..

 

[OLDCROWE]

When I use mine I put a t-shirt on the wing and then set the bag on the shirt and it easily slides to the low side of the wing below the fuel cap. From there it is easy to put the spout into the wing tank without spilling fuel. The bag will easily slide on the t-shirt to the high side of the wing as the bag empties. I've had great luck with this method and had found the spouts haven't leaked if I don't over tighten them. Using this method the spouts are at a little less than a 90 degree angle. Sliding the bag on a shirt really reduces the amount of effort to empty the bag also. Love the bags and haven't felt the need for a shut off valve. Just more weight to carry. Could be useful if wanting to just partially empty the bags though. A one piece spout makes more sense though, wonder why it wasn't made that way to begin with.

I'm liking the tee shirt deal almost as much as the JC tee shirt committee

 

[njneer]

I just purchased two of the ABW bags today. I'm saving my lunch money again and figure by Christmas I should have enough money for fuel to go flying. ;-)

 

[JP]

I visited the local Home Depot and $8 later I left with a few pieces of plastic hardware from the plumbing section. Then I went to a buddy's house where I drilled out the fuel bag cap and threaded it for 3/4 npt. I then assembled the plastic gizmos and came up with a lovely bit of plumbing akin to Wup's pictures. Boy does it work well!! Problem solved! Lay bag on wing, insert tube, turn the valve, fuel empties from ABI bag in less than a minute. Way cool!

 

[supilot]

JP can you post pictures?

 

[JP]

JP can you post pictures?

Will do when I return to Civilization on Monday night.

 

[hottshot]

Fuel Valves in stock and ready to go! $25.00

 

[aviationinfo]

OK I have a dumb question--- if you use an ABW bag with the nozzle arrangement as above does one still have to be mindful of grounding as with the red plastic containers? Am thinking of trying these, never used anything like it. I am aware of the lengthy threads on grounding.

 

[polardds]

Maybe I am looking in the wrong place, but I was unable to find the spouts on hottshot's business webpage. I even refreshed the page to see if it was an old page my computer was storing.