Hi Grant,
I keep four 5-gallon gas cans in the hangar on a wood-strip rack and two
are full all the time. I only keep 3 to 5 gallons in each wing tank and
4 to 5 gallons in the header. I dont refuel until just before the next
flight. When a can of fuel has set for more than a couple of months, I
pour it into the car and refill the can with new 87-octane. This seems
to keep the fuel fresh and gas handling safe. I do use a 16-gage wire
with gator clips each end to minimize static build-up between tank and
can at filling. I also place a small edge-bound rubber-backed rug with a
centered 2-1/2-inch hole over the filler hole to avoid drips and
splatter on the paint. I sometimes forget to pre-release pressure on the
spring-cap just before filling. This seems to take care of the long
inactive periods in winter. I dont use stabilizers, but prefer the
addition of fresh fuel just before flight, easiest done if left in the
can until you need it.
On a side note, our airport managers recently got fussy about our having
fuel cans in the hangars and it was successfully argued that several
tanks to the volume of the aircraft were necessary to drain and check
fuel tank strainers and provide safe fuel containment in the event of a
leak. Just be sure you use OSHA approved containers that are stable for
transport. Steel 5-gallon drum types are ideal and 50 gallons is the max
allowable for each of our hangars.
Now that Homeland Security has decided to search our cars for explosives
before we drive thru the coded gate, never mind the gasoline,
apparently, you do have to have the right container to get it there.
I periodically check my VDO float gasket and fittings for ethanol damage
and do replace the short hose and paper-type plastic filter annually.
Thats the best of it so far, so do fly safe guys,
Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com
Grant Corriveau wrote:
> <grant.corriveau@telus.net>
>
> I've noticed that over the past couple of years I have not found even
> a drop of water in my fuel tanks. This makes me suspicious that my
> MOGAS contains alcohol, so from now on I intend to be more scrupulous
> about 'bottle testing' my fuel sources.
>
> The other issue with MOGAS relates to winter inactivity. Car gas
> should not be stored for more than three months. In the past the
> aviation practice for fuel tanks was to leave them full to
> prevent/reduce condensation inside the tanks. But now I'm wondering if
> that works with MOGAS over the quiet winter months.
>
> Does the stabilizer sold in auto stores do the job adequately? Or
> should I keep the fuel tanks mainly empty over the winter, just adding
> enough fuel each time I go flying?
>
> What are the active pilots on the list, who use MOGAS, doing with all
> this?
>
> Thanks
> Grant
> C-GHTF
> 601HDS/CAM100
>
>
