pnb987pb wrote:I am planning on adding these to my 56 180. How much were the tanks and how much was your install cost?

I still for the life of me do not understand why Hartwig does not advertise them.

Paul Brown

It was roughly $16,500 for the tanks and installation. It is a great mod if you are wanting to some serious long range. We went from Cadiz, OH(Pittsburgh) to Carthage, TX (East Texas) in 6.5 hours and one tank of fuel.

Check out my pictures under Texas STOL Roundup or Bust.

pnb987pb wrote:I am planning on adding these to my 56 180. How much were the tanks and how much was your install cost?

I still for the life of me do not understand why Hartwig does not advertise them.

Paul Brown

It was roughly $16,500 for the tanks and installation. It is a great mod if you are wanting to some serious long range. We went from Cadiz, OH(Pittsburgh) to Carthage, TX (East Texas) in 6.5 hours and one tank of fuel.

Check out my pictures under Texas STOL Roundup or Bust.

I have the tanks in my 185 and have been very happy with them.
They were in the plane when I bought it 4 years ago. They add 36gal/32gal usable for a total of 100gal/91 usable.
The only issue I foresee is the transfer panel which if it fails will be a problem. The pumps are available so that should not be an issue.

Question for you guys with Monarch AUX tank caps...

I noticed this piece of rubber hanging down out of one cap. I went and checked the other cap and it too has the same rubber hanging down. Almost looks like one end of a broken O ring that sits above the gaskets, but I can’t be certain. It’s also pretty checked and cracked out. Still waiting for a response from Hartwig.

Any idea what these pieces do? I’m a little concerned it could end up in the tank eventually. Below are pictures of each cap left and right aux.

I’ve also had to run double gaskets on these AUX caps to keep them from leaking. Main tank caps work fine with no issues.

I’ve got Monarch mains and aux on my ‘56 C180. Love ‘em.
I also run double gaskets on the aux caps. I change them every couple of years or so along with the O Rings in the main caps.
I use Buna gaskets and O Rings I procure locally (oil field supply) and have had no issues at all with leaking.

Thanks.

Do you replace an o ring in the aux caps above the double gaskets? Or just an o ring in the main tank caps?

Do you see that broken o ring in the aux cap pictures? Do you replace that too?

I just replaced O Ring in the main tank caps.
My aux caps didn’t have that broken O Ring you showed in the picture. It makes me wonder if it is missing on mine, and that is why the flat gasket was doubled up.
I’ll take a look and post what I find.

Yeah I find it odd that both caps would have it broken. Caps are less than 2 years old. Never would have known unless I reached in there more with a pick. Almost looks like it’s always been broken too me. They don’t leak ever since I doubled up gaskets. Still no word from Hartwig.

As an update, Hartwig is providing 2 day shipping both ways and fixing the issue.

Is it possible to fit the 18 usg rear auxiliary tank which was a Cessna option for the early 182 series? Is this kit available? One 182A in Europe has this fitted.

Given the cost was 16k - it seems like this may be getting into a scenario where if someone wanted to do this, and had patience, they could wait till they came across a good set of wings that already had extended range tanks and could get a deal on them - just swap the wings and then sell your old wings. Could be another option. Its the direction I've been looking at going.

corefile wrote:Given the cost was 16k - it seems like this may be getting into a scenario where if someone wanted to do this, and had patience, they could wait till they came across a good set of wings that already had extended range tanks and could get a deal on them - just swap the wings and then sell your old wings. Could be another option. Its the direction I've been looking at going.

Good luck finding a wreck with useable wings with this mod. I'm guessing they're pretty scarce.

Now, later wings with bigger bladders, maybe. I'd do my research first, however, to make sure that would be "approved".

MTV

This is on Barnstormers right now-------1955 CESSNA 180 WINGS 91 GAL • $14,000 • FOR SALE • OBO 6154TT with flaps ailerons Monarch 18Gal aux tanks 91gal usable • Contact Dave Anderson , Owner - located Sycamore, IL United States • Telephone: 815-761-7246 • Posted May 5, 2020

Just now assembling 1956 180 after rebuild. Has bladder mains and Monarch aux tanks. Also, has Sportsman STOL. Willie Stene sells wing extension with the STOL cuff that will give 400 pound Gross Weight increase which will make up for the extra weight the few times the tanks are full. As a note, the mains have to be sent to Hartwig to have the nipples added for the interconnect tubes and one way check valves. Good time to have your old tanks overhauled. Since the aux tanks are not bladders, they don't need to be fuel soaked to prevent drying out like the bladders do.Thus, you don't have to keep fuel in them unless you want to. As mentioned, the increased wing span should be taken into consideration when hangaring.

I believe the fuselage aux tank was from Javelin. Don't know anything about them but would like to. Believe it is 18 gallons in the baggage compartment. Probably has a transfer pump and could be removeable and only used/ installed when necessary, I.e. Ferry flight. I have a 12 gallon aux tank in my Stinson 108-3 that fits in the lower half of the baggage compartment. Made by Metco Air, a company that once made such things for small aircraft. Uses a manual wobble pump that looks like the ones in the U1-A Otter for a transfer pump. The handle pokes up from the Peter Pilot's floorboard. The filler is on the upper right side of the fuselage. Don't know how you would fill a Javelin tank in a Cessna.

northern necker wrote:I believe the fuselage aux tank was from Javelin. Don't know anything about them but would like to. Believe it is 18 gallons in the baggage compartment. Probably has a transfer pump and could be removeable and only used/ installed when necessary, I.e. Ferry flight. I have a 12 gallon aux tank in my Stinson 108-3 that fits in the lower half of the baggage compartment. Made by Metco Air, a company that once made such things for small aircraft. Uses a manual wobble pump that looks like the ones in the U1-A Otter for a transfer pump. The handle pokes up from the Peter Pilot's floorboard. The filler is on the upper right side of the fuselage. Don't know how you would fill a Javelin tank in a Cessna.

Javeling tank gets filled from RH side of the fuselage as well. It's not a quick in out thing, not something I'd plan to take in/out for a trip. It is 18 gallons and uses a simple pump to pump fuel up to the wings.

northern necker wrote: I believe the fuselage aux tank was from Javelin. Don't know anything about them but would like to. Believe it is 18 gallons in the baggage compartment.......

FWIW I believe O&N used to make similar aux tanks.

I have the 15 gallon Javelin aux fuel tank installed in my ‘54 C180.
For long trips north, it really makes a difference and I use it often.
In my files, I have the installation drawings. Yes, I loose a bit of baggage area, but I consider it an asset worth having installed. A good friend also has the same tank in his C170.

I have the 18gal Monarch aux tanks in my 185 and do not see that oring/tube in either of mine.
I do need to get new gaskets however and wondering where you get them.
I use "Fuel Lube" on the gaskets to make removing the caps a bit easier.