Electric float pump?

[sj]

Wonder if one of these Milwaukee stick pumps could be adapted to pump out floats…

 

[mvivion]

If your floats leak so bad you need an electric pump…..seal them up!
Been there,

MTV

 

[jpm757]

I have the M18 water pump. I cut the end off an old float pump and glued it to a 90 degree fitting off the Milwaukee. It fits perfectly into the Edo pump out cup. I chose the M18 over the M12 as you can set it on top of the float and walk away while it is pumping. Before I resealed my one leaky compartment it got a lot of use!

 

[G44]

Are those electric pumps powerful enough to create a negative pressure and suck a big dent into the float?

Kurt

 

[Sikorsky]

I second the collapsible float question

 

[sj]

Are those electric pumps powerful enough to create a negative pressure and suck a big dent into the float?

Kurt

If you look at the photo above, he is allowing plenty of air to get back in - so not sealed in the plug hole like a traditional float pump - or at least that is how it appears.

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Float caps or fastened covers used to have a small hole drilled (#40?) to let in air as water and air were removed. Paint and muck can plug them making pumping more difficult.

Gary

 

[jpm757]

My homemade 90 degree adapter doesn’t look the best, but it is airtight. It seals in the hole just like any regular hand pump would. I have not noticed any of the skins get sucked inward at all. My float compartment covers do have small vent holes and probably aren’t perfectly air tight around the giant o rings either. I shut the pump off as soon as it starts gurgling air which happens when the water level in the float compartment gets down to the pick up tube.

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Must be some air leaks or pressure changes in flight would cause issues.

Gary

 

[skywagon8a]

Float caps or fastened covers used to have a small hole drilled (#40?) to let in air as water and air were removed. Paint and muck can plug them making pumping more difficult.

Gary

That hole is there to equalize air pressure inside and outside the floats with altitude changes. It has nothing to do with pumping out the floats, as all the covers have that hole whether the optional pump out kit is installed or not. I had a tight wing tip float collapse coming down from altitude in a Lake. Drilled a small hole...no more collapsing.

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Of course Pete, there needs to be a vent for any vessel that's subjected to pressure changes if there's a chance for damage. The subject here was float pumping, so I focused my comment relative to that to keep it on topic.

Gary

 

[mvivion]

I picked up a Beaver on EDO 4580 amphibious floats that hadn't been in water for ~ 2 years. They leaked like sieves, all compartments. Our old time Chief of Maintenance told me they'd tighten them up at first 100 hour, but in meantime, park the thing in some shallow water (ie: Shallow enough the plane wouldn't sink.). I did, and rigged up something similar to the photos above. Pumped a LOT of water the first week, then less the next week, then almost none.....then they were pretty tight. Puzzled, I called the boss and asked him what that was all about. He responded that the paste tapes that EDO used as sealant can dry out over time, and they leak......till they absorb enough moisture to seal themselves up again.
Maintenance never did have to re-seal those floats.

MTV

 

[skywagon8a]

I picked up a Beaver on EDO 4580 amphibious floats that hadn't been in water for ~ 2 years. They leaked like sieves, all compartments. Our old time Chief of Maintenance told me they'd tighten them up at first 100 hour, but in meantime, park the thing in some shallow water (ie: Shallow enough the plane wouldn't sink.). I did, and rigged up something similar to the photos above. Pumped a LOT of water the first week, then less the next week, then almost none.....then they were pretty tight. Puzzled, I called the boss and asked him what that was all about. He responded that the paste tapes that EDO used as sealant can dry out over time, and they leak......till they absorb enough moisture to seal themselves up again.
Maintenance never did have to re-seal those floats.

MTV

I have noticed that characteristic also.