How to Fuel Odyssey?

[wsweidemann]

Folks,

How do Odyssey owners fuel their tank behind the pilot seat? Is there a safe way to do this with a filler through the side of the fuselage?

Skot

[blaswichk]

Excellent question. It's a bit of a pain to have the gas cap inside, as my Gull 2000 has the same tank in the same place. If you taxi up to a gas pump, no problem, but as I use car gas, I have to tote it to my hangar. I used to pour gas into a 2 1/2 gallon can that I could carry inside the plane to empty, then I envisioned a platform high enough to let gravity do the work. I finnaly found a deal at Costco for a 14 gallon gas caddy on wheels that had a fuel handle that incorporated a puny pump to lift gas up one squeeze at a time. that really sucked too, so I installed a tire stem at the top and put about 10lbs of air pressure in it and it works just dandy. I did have to cut off the puny handle and pump because it started leaking even before I pressurized it. I bought a proper metal gas handle and replaced the cheezy one. My next project will be to install an outside filler on the fuselage side, right behind the door. I have a flush mounted boat filler cap and elbows to do the job, and will plumb it to the inside gas filler.

kb

[earthstaraircraft]

Folks,

How do Odyssey owners fuel their tank behind the pilot seat? Is there a
safe way to do this with a filler through the side of the fuselage?

Skot

Hi Scot
I fill it either at the gas pump with the fuel nozel or if using as can
just put the nozzle in the tank and fill it up. some gas cans are worthless
and make it real difficult to fill any thing. like the ones that you buy at
auto parts stores or Walmart. I really like the 2.5 gallon cans from Air
Parts and we can also get them locally from the professional lawn equipment
stores. If you are having any problems you are using the wrong can.
Happy Flying,
Mark

[earthstaraircraft]

Hi Kess.
Look on the Air Parts web site, there the ones standing in the roll of
aluminum, and all your worries will be solved. Buy the 2.5 gas can that has the
push button to open and vent the can so that you can just hook it in the
tank and tip it up than push the button and than the gas starts flowing. I
use this in my Gull 2000, Soaring Gull, and the Odyssey! it makes it easy.
It doesn't work on the electric plane though.
Happy Flying
Mark

Excellent question. It's a bit of a pain to have the gas cap inside, as my
Gull 2000 has the same tank in the same place. If you taxi up to a gas
pump, no problem, but as I use car gas, I have to tote it to my hangar. I used
to pour gas into a 2 1/2 gallon can that I could carry inside the plane
to empty, then I envisioned a platform high enough to let gravity do the
work. I finally found a deal at Costco for a 14 gallon gas caddy on wheels that
had a fuel handle that incorporated a puny pump to lift gas up one squeeze
at a time. that really sucked too, so I installed a tire stem at the top
and put about 10lbs of air pressure in it and it works just dandy. I did
have to cut off the puny handle and pump because it started leaking even
before I pressurized it. I bought a proper metal gas handle and replaced the
cheezy one. My next project will be to install an outside filler on the
fuselage side, right behind the door. I have a flush mounted boat filler cap and
elbows to do the job, and will plumb it to the inside gas filler.

kb

[billbango]

HI

I have a Gull 2000 and rather than mess around with a gas can I use a "syphon
mate", (aircraft spruce #05-01018), just a couple of jiggles and it does it
thing. Maybe not quite as fast as a gas can but a lot easier and no spills.
Costs about $8.

Ted

[wsweidemann]

All,

Thanks for the suggestions about fueling. I have a Siphon Mate as well as
a Goat Throat kit for pressurizing a fuel can to force fuel out. I'm
fortunate to be regularly flying a high wing with wing tanks so I can set a 5
gallon tank on the wing (on a large towel pad) and tip the filler into the
tank neck.

I expect fueling a Earthstar from a standard aircraft fuel station while on
a cross country should not be a problem. Fueling while at your home
hangar (or just outside the hangar door...as our airport rules specify)
represents another set of various solutions. One thing I keep in mind is the
chance of static electricity causing sparks and a possible fire. With plastic
fuel cans, they really should be grounded in some way or at least grounded
just before filling. Regardless, I keep my fire extinguisher and cell
phone nearby.

Skot

[blaswichk]

Problem with the syphon type of hose, ( hose with a jiggle pump inside) is that the gas won't flow uphill. That means you have to elevate the gas can, or whatever the gas is in. That's why I was going to build a platform, to support a gas can, or even my fuel caddy on wheels. The gas caddy on wheels showed all kinds of fueling positions, but failed to mention in fine print that the syphon pump in the handle only dispenses a few ounces a time. that's when the light when on to pressurize the caddy. Even when I mount the filler cap on the outside, the wing is still in the way to elevate by hand, and the pressurized caddy will still be the best refill. When I'm on cross-country, I use av-gas at a pump.

What engine are you running Ted?

kb

[earthstaraircraft]

Hi
I don't mean to sound like a broken record but it is clear to me that you
have not ever seen the gas can that I am talking about. it is a 2.5 gallon
can and it has a spout and a button on it so that it keeps the gas outlet
closed while you stick the spout in to the tank and than tip it up, than push
the button and out comes the gas cleanly in to the tank. it is so easy I
don't ever consider any other ideas. I have ben using these cans from Air
Parts for 8 years now and they work really well.
Happy Flying
Mark

Problem with the syphon type of hose, ( hose with a jiggle pump inside) is
that the gas won't flow uphill. That means you have to elevate the gas
can, or whatever the gas is in. That's why I was going to build a platform, to
support a gas can, or even my fuel caddy on wheels. The gas caddy on
wheels showed all kinds of fueling positions, but failed to mention in fine
print that the syphon pump in the handle only dispenses a few ounces a time.
that's when the light when on to pressurize the caddy. Even when I mount the
filler cap on the outside, the wing is still in the way to elevate by hand,
and the pressurized caddy will still be the best refill. When I'm on
cross-country, I use av-gas at a pump.

What engine are you running Ted?

kb

[wsweidemann]

Mark,

I can't find the fuel can you are talking about from Airparts. But I did
find one at Grainger that may be the same one:

_http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Fuel-Can-3NKL8_
(http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Fuel-Can-3NKL8)

Skot

[earthstaraircraft]

Yes That is the Can!
Buy at east one and you will be very happy you did.
Happy Flying
Mark