ABI Fuel Bags
- Thread starter Alaska_Rallyer
- Start date
I need something for carrying some extra fuel. Are the ABW "liquid" bags reliable?
http://www.airframesalaska.com/Liquid-Containment-Bag-p/5.2bag.htm
http://www.airframesalaska.com/Liquid-Containment-Bag-p/5.2bag.htm
Very good, going on excellent with the (extra) valve/hose thingie. Just lay them on the wing, put the hose the the tank neck, turn the valve and put a little pressure on the bag and presto... Only challenge is learning to fill them and get the lid on without putting any pressure on the bag before you get the lid on. I keep thinking I’ll make a little folding hanger thingie to hold them while filling but right now a caribeaner on the chain link fence by the pump works.
Thanks. I hope you don't mind a few more questions:
Are the bags lined with butyl rubber, or is it an impregnated fabric material that doesn't deteriorate?
How long have you kept fuel in it, and any contaminants noted in a chamois/filter funnel?
J
Are the bags lined with butyl rubber, or is it an impregnated fabric material that doesn't deteriorate?
How long have you kept fuel in it, and any contaminants noted in a chamois/filter funnel?
J
They’re not lined, appear to be a solid material. No debris ever noticed and after I a bad experience using surplus’s Swiss water bags (lots of guys did) I found sludge goo in a filter funnel a couple of times so I tossed them and got the ABI’s and have used them on and off over maybe 5 years and for awhile I ran all the fuel through a filter funnel and I still use one at home some to check quality now and again but I have never found any debris or goo in the ABI’s and I’ve had fuel in them for over a month at a time.
In my J-3 the only place I can put one is in the front seat, strapped securely to the seat back. But, the bag interferes with the rudder pedals with my size 12 shoes. If I am flying with a SC guy I can shame them into carrying the bag for me. Next time I will try to prop it up on the seat higher to clear my feet.
I really need a wing tank for cross country.
I really need a wing tank for cross country.
pfjay52
MEMBER
Port Lincoln, South Australia
i had my 'Swiss water bags' completely disentegrate (all 3) at the one time in a very remote location. i was able to save most of the fuel to my tanks, but had fuel going everywhere. i just left them behind.
ABW bags have held up well and still in good shape. the main problem being actually getting the fuel nozzle into the filler. a hose and fill valve would solve this problem.
they are a very reliable alternative IMHO.
ABW bags have held up well and still in good shape. the main problem being actually getting the fuel nozzle into the filler. a hose and fill valve would solve this problem.
they are a very reliable alternative IMHO.
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
They sell a valve and a hoses and if you shorten it and add a L to the end of the hose its simple to fill wing tanks
Glenn
flywhatever
MEMBER
Regarding the Airframes or ABI or whatever they're calling themselves these days, Fuel Bags: I love mine, they do not leak when laid on their side, I do carry auto gas occasionally but I don't leave fuel in the bag very long, I lost a fuel bag cap, they don't float. I called Airframes and SURPRISE, they sell spare caps!
courierguy
MEMBER
Inkom, Idaho
I bought a new one, ( I have had two of them for years) to replace a 15 year old one that started seeping a bit, and found that getting 5 gallons into it is max, the old ones you could pump 5 gallons easy, then another .4 or so with the pump nozzle held out a bit. It may be just mine, but this new one has a "pucker" or fold at the bottom that only happens when it fills, someone got the dimensions wrong or something, but as the sides pooch out, the pucker occurs, and lessens the volume it can hold as it doesn't go away. A minor complaint, but I wish, for what they cost, it didn't do it.
JP
FOUNDER
The Big Woods of Maine
I recently decided i was too lazy or old to make another DIY fuel spigot and bought theirs. I should have done that sooner. I'm still toting two Fuel Bags around that I acquired at NH during the Formative Years. I use them for the snow sleds, too. My favorite thing is that you can drop one in the baggage compartment and strap the other one into the rear seat and presto instant range.
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
If you add this to the end of the hose its even easier to use
Look at this product I found on google.com https://share.google/Mtb3RMiXibB6OKskD
Look at this product I found on google.com https://share.google/Mtb3RMiXibB6OKskD
I bought a couple of bags off Temu or one of the overseas sites. One was an 8 gal bag. They work but the bags have less body too them (rubbery). Caps look the same but have round profile o rings which suck and fall out. They were half the price which is about what they’re worth. I get 5-6 yrs out of a bag before a bottom corner will start leaking. Leaky bags do work good to slow water trees.
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
Liquid Containment Bag | Sky Cowboy Supply Co
This ultra-durable liquid containment bag is the perfect accessory for your backcountry adventure. - 5.2 Gallons Capacity- Lays flat when empty- Stowable spout included!!
www.skycowboysupplyco.com
I don't see a valve though.
You'll want this:$85 for bag & spoutLiquid Containment Bag | Sky Cowboy Supply Co
This ultra-durable liquid containment bag is the perfect accessory for your backcountry adventure. - 5.2 Gallons Capacity- Lays flat when empty- Stowable spout included!!
I don't see a valve though.
Filler Spout w/ Valve | Sky Cowboy Supply Co
The must have accessorie to your liquid containment bag. Our filler spout includes an aluminum ball valve keeping the unit lightweight, durable, and trouble free.
www.skycowboysupplyco.com
courierguy
MEMBER
Inkom, Idaho
So, no one else has bought a bag recently from Alaska Gear, and noticed the lesser capacity the crimp or fold in the bottom has, resulting in lesser capacity? I'm just wondering if I got a lemon, a one off. It's not a deal breaker just a tad annoying, especially when I'm pumping out of it and I have to tilt the bag to get the last half gallon over the fold to the suction intake. I have to wonder if the ones the Cowboys sell are the same product, just re-branded, or a whole different animal.
h2oavi8r
FOUNDER
Silverdale, WA
I bought two from Sky Cowboys with the optional spout last spring. I called both companies beforehand and I think Sky Cowboy has some from the manufacturer that ABI used to buy from. They hold about 5.5 gallons. I took the small spout out and they seal fine (Sky Cowboy said it would seal better without it and I’m not using it anyway). He makes the spout and with the ball valve, it works great. I put the bag up on my shoulder, put the spout down in the tank and open the valve. No spills so far. I also like the writing on the bag that identifies it as fuel. I think Sky Cowboy runs a small business out of his garage in Maine. He’s happy to talk to you if you have questions. I had trouble getting reliable information out of ABI.
I haven’t noticed a fold that causes a problem but I also don’t pump it out.
I haven’t noticed a fold that causes a problem but I also don’t pump it out.
courierguy
MEMBER
Inkom, Idaho
Here's the recently purchased Alaska Gear fuel bag and it's pucker, that lowers it's capacity by about 1/2 gallon, as compared to my older bags, and never goes away once fuel is in the bag. Empty, it lays flat. As soon as a couple gallons get
in it occurs. Upside down! Right side up before linking it, so I tired inverting it before linking, still didn't come thru correct, but you get the idea.
I have used both brands now. Each sells their own valve/spout. The threads are NOT the same between the brands. My SkyCowboy bag leaks withe the cap screwed on. No puddle but enough that I get the blue dye around the neck. The valve definitely makes it easy to fuel in the field. Just adds weight.
md11freighter
FRIEND
Wasilla
I showed them to a lady I buy junk from in china. She can get me the 7.5 gallon bags for 20 bucks!
h2oavi8r
FOUNDER
Silverdale, WA
Did the Sky Cowboy bag have the included funnel inside the opening when it leaked with the cap on? I took those nozzles out and put the cap on directly and as yet haven’t had any leaks.
Citabrialaska
SPONSOR
AK
That’s cool but just so you know there’s different manufacturers of these bags in china and some aren’t as well built as others.
Airframes either switched manufacturers or the manufacturer changed the way they are built but the new bags are all like that from my experience.
I don’t think it’s necessarily the crease that is making it hold less fuel. I think it’s just a totally different bag.
Also Airframes is no longer selling fuel bags at all and I’ve been told that they aren’t planning to sell them again.
courierguy
MEMBER
Inkom, Idaho
It would sure appear the bags supplied by Sky Cowboys and Alaska Gear are made by different manufacturers, no way can I get 5.4 or 5.5 gallons in it, whereas my old bag 5 gallons made a fully inserted mogas pump handle click off, and then the last half gallon was with the handle held out a ways. This new one, it clicks off at 4.7 or less gallons, then you have to work at getting 5 gallons in. My bag's pucker is different than what is shown above. BUT, I like that the Gear bag does not have the big lettering on it, stating the obvious! I imagine two different overseas bag makers both made their version, a copy, of the earlier bags, and one got the specs a bit wrong on how much material to layout before sealing it. My last 2.2 hour flight showed 3.13 GPH, (Rotax, with EFI) so if I'm whining about a half gallon loss, that's because it's a bit more noticable. I'll with it just fine, as long as it lasts about as long as the earlier versions, and, the cap does not leak at all so that's good.
