Persons far wiser then I have suggested that float hatches may be the answer to my occasional need for additional fuel as opposed to an aux fuel modification to the air frame or wings. I see the wisdom in this point of view, it will serve may functions along with the original task, more fuel. So that said I now seek opinions for and against this idea, pros & cons welcomed.

In addition if anyone has or knows of a set of hatches for EDO 2000's I'm all ears !!

Mapleflt wrote:Persons far wiser then I have suggested that float hatches may be the answer to my occasional need for additional fuel as opposed to an aux fuel modification to the air frame or wings. I see the wisdom in this point of view, it will serve may functions along with the original task, more fuel. So that said I now seek opinions for and against this idea, pros & cons welcomed.

In addition if anyone has or knows of a set of hatches for EDO 2000's I'm all ears !!

EDO still sells “fish hatch kits” for all round top EDOs. http://www.kenmoreairharbor.com/float-accessories.html

They are great to have but are somewhat limited in utility in that the opening is between the two coamings, about 9” methinks? There are very few or maybe no fuel cans that are that narrow, maybe fuel bags would fit?

I have seen a few homemade hatches over the years in round tops that had made a bigger hole cutting away the coamings, seemed pretty cobbled together to me, can’t be very strong.

The EDO hatches are narrow, but there are gas cans that’ll fit. Bigger hatches I wouldn’t trust, because the reason EDO built what they did was to preserve the structural rigidity provided by those bulb angles on top of the floats.

Check with Eddie Peck and Doug Ronan. They both have a lot of used parts. Some of those may even have paperwork. Nonetheless, give them a call and see what they say.

Installation is not rocket science, either.

MTV

Do not duplicate:

There's a local pilot that saves his plastic soft drink bottles for fuel storage. Drops them through the EDO round hatch covers. Not sure if they resist fuel well, especially their cap and liner. Mechanic noted his engine drain oil and remote filter had a peculiar smell and feel. Darwin test?

Gary

EDO hatches are only 6" wide, but you can buy 1.5 gal jugs that fit (& are easy to get to the wing top) A buddy & I made mine, as at the time they were ~ $700 per float for "the kit".
Thing is, with float hatches you can store/haul more than just fuel.

Looks like some of these are narrow and would fit through the float hatches: https://rotopax.com

Gary

How much weight can you carry in the floats?
Could you make fuel bladders that fit in there and use some kind of transfer pump?

PA1195 wrote:Looks like some of these are narrow and would fit through the float hatches: https://rotopax.com

Gary

Those are the type I was thinking of.

MTV

I fully recognize that the containers will need to be smaller to fit thru the hatches, the bonus is I'm not getting any younger so lifting them is still within my physical ability !!!!!!

Mapleflt wrote:I fully recognize that the containers will need to be smaller to fit thru the hatches, the bonus is I'm not getting any younger so lifting them is still within my physical ability !!!!!!

Yep, a few years ago, I discovered that 2.5 gallon cans are a lot easier to hoist up onto a wing......

MTV

Ive ran 2 abw bags in each hatch (that’s 12 gallons a side). I’m guessing u could fit 3 easy enough if u had the need.

Those bags fly fine on the floats too tho so I probably wouldn’t add hatches to fly a bag of fuel from time to time

It'd be nice to know the various opening dimensions of float hatches. I can find out but don't know now. My only experience was with EDO 3430's where three typical rectangular 5 gallon plastic containers fit per float.

Gary

This thread is dated but I found it looking for hatch dimensions.
My 2960s have hatches approximately 8” wide, 24” long, and 24” deep.
Approximately because of the note about protecting the bottoms. Does anyone have a photo or drawing of an insert that protects the skins. I can see where that would be important.

I also found this article

https://www.aerospaceonline.com/doc/car ... lanes-0001

Which mentions “… (don't put it directly on the float bottom- - use an interior deck made to support such a load on the keel and sister keelsons)”. Looking at my hatches, this makes a lot of sense. Damaging the float bottoms from the inside due to a metal can bouncing would be bad.
Does anyone have a picture or drawing of such an interior deck?

I made some a while back using those cheap white plastic cutting boards, Delrin I think. Cut them to size and drilled a bunch of 2" or 3" holes with a hole saw to lighten them.

They just sit on the obviously stronger seams / joints down in the hatch. Light and water proof.

Kevin


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I did eventually have float hatches installed, both sides and for my purposes they are gold, almost as valuable as the baggage door mod. I can comfortable fit two of he 5 gallon fuel bags resting on a false floor and out of any moisture. I did recently see a Bstormers posting for an 18 gallon Turtle Pac with associated pump and hose that got me thinking again. Does anyone in the community have any experience with them, $1600 seemed a bit steep but it could eliminate any lifting.