Offloading fuel

tmyers

tmyers

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Kettering, OH
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Tim Myers
Like many of you my aircraft cannot haul four adults unless I operate with a reduced load of fuel. I am curious as to how some of you offload fuel, store it and then put it back in the fuel tank!
 
tmyers said:
Like many of you my aircraft cannot haul four adults unless I operate with a reduced load of fuel. I am curious as to how some of you offload fuel, store it and then put it back in the fuel tank!
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I use my gascolater drain.... It flows about 30 gallons an hour so off loading fuel goes pretty fast.... Or I can make a take off at full power and fly around using a wide pattern at wide open throttle taking 12 minutes or so and eat up a fast 5 gallons..... That is ALOT more fun then draining the fuel into the Jerry Jugs.:yes::) YMMV.
 
Low tech. I stick a piece of hose in the fuel tank, get the delivery end lower than the supply end, and suck on it till gas flows into the 5 gal gas can. When that's full, I get another can.

Don't try this at home, objects in mirror are larger than they appear, your mileage may vary, contents of box may have settled, professional driver on closed course, see a doctor if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours.
 
docmirror said:
............
Don't try this at home, objects in mirror are larger than they appear, your mileage may vary, contents of box may have settled, professional driver on closed course, see a doctor if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours.
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:rofl::lol::rofl::lol::D...

Great post...:thumbsup:
 
docmirror said:
Low tech. I stick a piece of hose in the fuel tank, get the delivery end lower than the supply end, and suck on it till gas flows into the 5 gal gas can. When that's full, I get another can.

Don't try this at home, objects in mirror are larger than they appear, your mileage may vary, contents of box may have settled, professional driver on closed course, see a doctor if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours.
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If you get an 4 hour erection from sucking on a hose then......well never mind. :wink2:
 
Threefingeredjack said:
If you get an 4 hour erection from sucking on a hose then......well never mind. :wink2:
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A. I said: " if your erection...."

2. Is there something you want to tell us about sucking on a hose?

C. Relax, you're among friends here. :yes:
 
docmirror said:
A. I said: " if your erection...."

2. Is there something you want to tell us about sucking on a hose?

C. Relax, you're among friends here. :yes:
Click to expand...

While I appreciate the support, I do not use the method described, but rather have a small hand pump that gets the flow going. But it is nice to know you're there for me!! :D
 
I use plastic jugs and a hose with a priming bulb. Everything including me is grounded. Try to do it during high humidity conditions and outside if possible. Wet the floor or pavement beneath plane. Use hair conditioner and skin lotion all over to reduce static charge build-up. Have a second person with a cell phone and fire extinguisher standing by. Same for refueling.
 
RV10flyer said:
I use plastic jugs and a hose with a priming bulb. Everything including me is grounded. Try to do it during high humidity conditions and outside if possible. Wet the floor or pavement beneath plane. Use hair conditioner and skin lotion all over to reduce static charge build-up. Have a second person with a cell phone and fire extinguisher standing by. Same for refueling.
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Come on Wayne! The only time you need to off load fuel from an RV is when you are removing the tanks. :D

;)

:stirpot:
 
Geico266 said:
Come on Wayne! The only time you need to off load fuel from an RV is when you are removing the tanks. :D

;)

:stirpot:
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I did a new W&B. No blue stains...yet. Almost a qt of proseal per tank with buna-n topcoat.

My hose setup only takes a few hand strokes. I believe it is safer than sucking on it.
 
Threefingeredjack said:
While I appreciate the support, I do not use the method described, but rather have a small hand pump that gets the flow going. But it is nice to know you're there for me!! :D
Click to expand...

I've heard you can buy those. Never needed one myself.
 
RV10flyer said:
I did a new W&B. No blue stains...yet. Almost a qt of proseal per tank with buna-n topcoat.

My hose setup only takes a few hand strokes. I believe it is safer than sucking on it.
Click to expand...

Ahhh! W&B! I forgot about that!

So what you are saying is an RV-10 is a true 4 passenger plane that can carry a full 60 gallons of fuel and 100 pounds of baggage. :D

Nice!


:yes:
 
N801BH said:
I use my gascolater drain.... It flows about 30 gallons an hour so off loading fuel goes pretty fast.... Or I can make a take off at full power and fly around using a wide pattern at wide open throttle taking 12 minutes or so and eat up a fast 5 gallons..... That is ALOT more fun then draining the fuel into the Jerry Jugs.:yes::) YMMV.
Click to expand...

BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful doing this.

I've seen several airplanes destroyed with this method. Do NOT do this inside a hangar.

Falling gasoline builds up an incredible amount of static. I personally know of one Navion destroyed in a hangar through this method. In addition, a mechanic was using a similar technique to drain a tank in a maintenance hangar and managed to lose several airplanes including a friend's 172 in the process.
 
flyingron said:
BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful doing this.

I've seen several airplanes destroyed with this method. Do NOT do this inside a hangar.

Falling gasoline builds up an incredible amount of static. I personally know of one Navion destroyed in a hangar through this method. In addition, a mechanic was using a similar technique to drain a tank in a maintenance hangar and managed to lose several airplanes including a friend's 172 in the process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out.... I do wrap a 2 foot piece of SS safety wire from the quick drain and let it dangle into the Jerry Jug to ground the entire set up... I also NEVER do it in the hangar in case something goes haywire.... And... I have a fire extinguisher handy too......
 
flyingron said:
BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful doing this.

I've seen several airplanes destroyed with this method. Do NOT do this inside a hangar.

Falling gasoline builds up an incredible amount of static. I personally know of one Navion destroyed in a hangar through this method. In addition, a mechanic was using a similar technique to drain a tank in a maintenance hangar and managed to lose several airplanes including a friend's 172 in the process.
Click to expand...

Hence the real reason for my question. How to do it safely. I have heard others state that when putting it back in the tank to pour it through cheese cloth. Sounds a bit extreme though.

I usually do not call for a fill up till I an ready for a trip so I can decide on 50 gal (tabs) or 72 gallons (full). My JPI give me a pretty accurate reading for actual fuel on board so I should be within a couple gallons on weight and balance.
 
tmyers said:
Like many of you my aircraft cannot haul four adults unless I operate with a reduced load of fuel. I am curious as to how some of you offload fuel, store it and then put it back in the fuel tank!
Click to expand...

I look at the practical performance needs given the runway and terrain etc and give myself an new max gross STC for that flight :goofy:
 
For fueling, I use a metal can that is bonded to the aircraft. I would recommend the same for de-fueling.

A plastic can on the ground is better than a plastic can not on the ground, but you can still build static.
 
You know you guys don't need to suck the hose or use a pump. You just place your thumb over the hole at the end of the hose, jerk it back and forth a couple times uncovering the hole at the end of each stroke, then out comes the..............gasoline ;)
 
Just the packaging. I agree with the bonding of the aircraft to the can but where do you find metal cans anymore, and why don't I have explosions putting gas from the pump to the plastic container?

I always keep the nozzle in contact with the container but it is plastic.
 
tmyers said:
Just the packaging. I agree with the bonding of the aircraft to the can but where do you find metal cans anymore, and why don't I have explosions putting gas from the pump to the plastic container?

I always keep the nozzle in contact with the container but it is plastic.
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Here is one... http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/681067-midwest-can-company-metal-gas-can.html

I would assume the hose at the gas pump has enough carbon in it to conduct static - like car tires or the old black vacuum hose you used to see all over under the hood of your car.
 
Gas pump hoses are specifically designed with both conductive rubber as well as metal wiring to bond the nozzle to the fitting at the pump.

The key is to bond both sides and also to minimize the amount the gasoline fall though the air.
 
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