I was just reading an old thread from 2006 about filling your plane with Plastic Gas Cans. Seems like I have been living dangerously and didn't know it. Maybe I'm not the only one here that missed the discussion so I thought we could go over it again.

My usual routine is to haul 5 Gallon Plastic cans to the plane. I usually use either an Aluminum step stool or a small wooden ladder depending on if the plane is inside the hanger or not. I set the cans directly on the wings usually before I open the tanks and then I put my finger in the open end of the nozzle and tip the gas can over and dump it straight in. Both the can and filler are in contact with the plane when the gas is transferred. Maybe that is why I haven't had any problems.

Looks like there is a huge potential for disaster here. Plus I just drained and pulled the tanks on the 175 because they were full of junk. I used a plastic hose and put it over the opened fuel sumps. The gas drained down to the ground and then back up to the can so I could see exactly what was in the fuel.

I have never heard this is a recipe for disaster before. Is there a safe way to fill from Plastic Gas Cans?

Jerry

I do the same thing with no troubles. I use steel cans to get the fuel and than transfer to the plastic can which is a nas car type tank that has a long hose on the end. Now I do transfer on cement and make sure the hose contacts the airplane.

Slyfox, I don't think I would hook it to the filler. If you do get a spark from static electricity you sure don't want it anywhere near the tank.

I use a Mr Funnel. Supposedly it eliminates static and even filters out moisture. I've put 130 gallons in my plane in the last 6 months with one and I haven't blown up yet.

http://www.mrfunnel.com/Mr._Funnel/Home.html

I might need one of these to use while filling. Might take a few tanks of Mogas to offset the cost of my new filling suit.

http://www.securityprousa.com/eodsumispeo.html

Those who ignore historic threads are doomed to repeat them.

Why not just pick up on the one already in progress?

Explosive subject - Plastic Gas Cans (108 replies)

Jaerl wrote:Slyfox, I don't think I would hook it to the filler. If you do get a spark from static electricity you sure don't want it anywhere near the tank.

I thought of that also, but I do have fiberglass tanks and they are held in place with silicon.

www.safetysiphon.net

This is what myself and many others use. Sure beats holding the can up and pouring. There is also reduced vapors since it's a direct route from one tank (gas can) to the other through a hose. Also it leaves a little bit of fuel in the bottom of the can which is where any dirt or water sits. I have never had water or contaminates in my fuel and I don't use a filter type funnel. It may not be the best way to do it but it works for me, been filling airplanes for many years this way.

Jason

Are there any special considerations regarding float planes? They are not sitting on rubber tires so I guess they are grounded to the water. I confess to having fueled from plastic cans using plastic funnels many times. Will a metal can grounded to the plane and using a metal funnel make it any safer?

Hi Zane

I thought about posting on the old thread but it is so huge and it seem a lot of stuff was hashed over several times. I thought starting it over might get some new input and ideas? Plus, that was almost 4 years ago and I figured there might be new products today. I did refer to it so anyone who wanted to find it could.

I never thought about a static charge on a plastic can. My friend just had his leg amputated about a month ago and I helped him go shopping to Wal Mart. The stinking electric cart shocked me twice today so now I'm paranoid.

Jaerl,

So, why bring this up in a new thread?? Several folks posted LOTS of information there, why not just continue that thread? Did you actually READ that long thread, before you decided it didn't offer the conclusion that you wanted? It's an old thread?? Let's see: physics changes from time to time, I guess? Static is static. Read the old thread, por favor.

Fueling from plastic cans has hazards. Period. They are real, and airplanes have burned to the ground because of fueling from plastic cans. Will you toast yourself every time you fuel from a plastic can?? Nope, but I know two people who've either burned their airplanes to the ground and/or burned themselves badly doing this.

I have fueled from plastic cans. I don't any more. I fuel my lawn mower from a plastic can, but not the airplane. For all the reasons noted in that earlier thread.

At one point, the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation worked closely with some really sharp professional fuel handling specialists. The goal was to develop some PRACTICAL means of fueling from small containers. VERY long story short, what they came up with was metal cans are really the ONLY consistently safe means to transfer fuel. Plastic cans were a recipe for disaster.

MTV

jgerard wrote:http://www.safetysiphon.net

This is what myself and many others use. Sure beats holding the can up and pouring. There is also reduced vapors since it's a direct route from one tank (gas can) to the other through a hose. Also it leaves a little bit of fuel in the bottom of the can which is where any dirt or water sits. I have never had water or contaminates in my fuel and I don't use a filter type funnel. It may not be the best way to do it but it works for me, been filling airplanes for many years this way.

Jason

I saw a guy use one of these once, and have been wanting one for a long time.... Thank You.... Ordered one today..

http://www.safetysiphon.net
This is what myself and many others use.

What is the ID of the hose on this rig? 5/8" or so?

Tom