I just ordered one of these: http://www.ahoycaptain.com/nauta_FB521131.html.

I have enjoyed my 2 ABW fuel bags for the last few years, but I'll be damned if I can get the frigging caps to not leak. Forget pouring out of them, same issue. I've tried O rings in various sizes, with no luck. No big deal, as they earn their keep in hauling my mo gas, (and diesel) I just always keep the caps up and out of the fuel, upright in other words. I then pump out of them using my transfer pump into my mains or my ferry tank, much easier them pouring, dribble free that way also. I'll report back in a few days on how it works out and how I plan to utilize it, a pretty specialized use making the high price worth it. Much cheaper though then the Turtle Pac ones I was looking at earlier.

Much cheaper though then the Turtle Pac ones I was looking at earlier.

$400!!!. A Walmart plastic jug is $13. What about those military surplus ones Cheaper than Dirt used to have? 10, 20 to 30 litre size, $42 here http://wholesaler.alibaba.com/product-detail/portable-and-folding-20liter-fuel-bladder_585675136.html or here http://wholesaler.alibaba.com/product-detail/Supply-30L-Portable-Collapsible-Oil-Tank_60240088525/showimage.html?spm=a2700.7765678.0.0.VhBDhe

courierguy wrote:I just ordered one of these: http://www.ahoycaptain.com/nauta_FB521131.html.

I have enjoyed my 2 ABW fuel bags for the last few years, but I'll be damned if I can get the frigging caps to not leak. Forget pouring out of them, same issue. I've tried O rings in various sizes, with no luck. No big deal, as they earn their keep in hauling my mo gas, (and diesel) I just always keep the caps up and out of the fuel, upright in other words. I then pump out of them using my transfer pump into my mains or my ferry tank, much easier them pouring, dribble free that way also. I'll report back in a few days on how it works out and how I plan to utilize it, a pretty specialized use making the high price worth it. Much cheaper though then the Turtle Pac ones I was looking at earlier.

C
My experience precisely on the ABW bags.

MTV

courierguy wrote:I just ordered one of these: http://www.ahoycaptain.com/nauta_FB521131.html.

I have enjoyed my 2 ABW fuel bags for the last few years, but I'll be damned if I can get the frigging caps to not leak. Forget pouring out of them, same issue. I've tried O rings in various sizes, with no luck. No big deal, as they earn their keep in hauling my mo gas, (and diesel) I just always keep the caps up and out of the fuel, upright in other words. I then pump out of them using my transfer pump into my mains or my ferry tank, much easier them pouring, dribble free that way also. I'll report back in a few days on how it works out and how I plan to utilize it, a pretty specialized use making the high price worth it. Much cheaper though then the Turtle Pac ones I was looking at earlier.

CG,

What style/make of transfer pump do you use?

Curious, the 6 gallon version is more expensive than the 9 gallon version, but I don't think I could lift the heavier one very easily if it meant getting it up on a high wing. Either way, they sure don't give those suckers away!

Cary

Cary wrote:Curious, the 6 gallon version is more expensive than the 9 gallon version, but I don't think I could lift the heavier one very easily if it meant getting it up on a high wing. Either way, they sure don't give those suckers away!

Cary

Why not just put 6 gallons in it???

I would call the folks at ABW. I'm guessing they have a solution for you. They are not in the habit of selling things that leak


Rocket

I don't feel it's ABW's problem, and wouldn't bother them about it. They work well enough, I just stay within their limitations. It is what it is, and I long ago got my money's worth out of my two. One great feature is how I carry mine folded in half behind my seat, in such a way that when I climb to altitude and they expand a bit I get added lumber support! Why they dribble gas but seemingly hold air, I don't know or care. If they puff up too much I just reach behind and crack a cap a bit.

The 6 gallon bladder price quoted includes some kind of valve, making it more expensive. I see they have 2 prices for the 9 gallon, one with and one without valve, about 40 bucks. Putting 6 gallons in a 9 gallon tank is a brilliant work a round solution to reducing the weight My system using the pump means no lifting, plus no spilling ever.

My fuel transfer pump is just a regular fuel pump sold by Summit Racing for big block hot rods. I paid about $100.00 for it inc. shipping and it pumps almost 1 GPM, no model # on it that I can see, check their web site or order a free print catalog as for some reason they differ a bit.

Wal Mart is cheaper??! Who knew! Regular plastic jerry jugs are out of the question, they are way too bulky for my need, especially annoying when they are EMPTY and still bulky. Like the ABW tires, these are a high quality US made product, that works, you get what you pay for. I mean they must be good to cost so much right?? I do have Turtle Pac to thanks, for getting me de sensitized to the pricing issue, they wanted more, way more! Part for shipping of course from Australia. But their sizing was wrong for me, this 9 gallon tank is perfect for my needs size wise, plus I'm dealing local, so to speak.

When I ordered, I fail to note that the shipping would be free if I used a certain code they had prominently displayed (but not prominent enough I guess for me to notice before hitting the PAYPAL buy button). So, a few minutes later after I noticed I had screwed myself out of 14 bucks (not bad for shipping, making me hope this thing is fairly light, I couldn't find a weight for it, hope it's reasonable) I fired off an email to the ahoycaptian company, on a weekend evening, not expecting much more then at best maybe a future credit on my next purchase. I got an almost immediate response telling me no problem, free shipping would apply, gotta love customer service like that. This outfit will replace West Marine as my source of marine based aviation gear!

by courierguy » Mon Jan 11, 2016 9:12 am
I'll report back in a few days on how it works out and how I plan to utilize it, a pretty specialized use making the high price worth it.

These bladders look very interesting! Appreciate you reporting back with your impressions.

-M3X

I just got my tracking info from FEDEX, and the 9 gallon fuel bladder package weighs 5.4 lbs, and I assume that includes the cardboard box etc. That is real good news, this bladder is maybe 4 lbs or so, cool!

My two ABW bladders, with about 4.5 gallons in each so the caps don't dribble, in the back of the Yaris. I really like them for this use as they don't tip over near as easy like a jerry jug, or slide, I was hauling diesel this day. Also the Airstreaks were onboard, on the way to the crane shed to go do a job plus use the crane's stabilizers to (gently) demount the tires off the rims prior to going to the smaller tires and the skis. This is the third year I've done the tire work this way.

Got it, 3 lbs 11 ozs, pretty good for 9 gallon capacity. Note that these are not designed for pouring, rather pumping out of, perfect for my use.




Best of all, it doesn't leak out the cap! They make various fittings, I may change that 3/8" withdraw fitting to a 90 degree one, they include a tool for this, it would have been nice if I knew this in advance. Lashed down on the E-bike trailer, (test purpose with draw plumbing shown) I need, and have on the way, a quick disconnect fitting immediately downstream of the withdraw fitting, and changing that to a 90 degree like the filler will make it more compact rather then sticking up. The fabric has some texture to it, not slippery in other words, this is a good thing.



Yeah, it was all sunshine and lollipops.... until I noticed a small placard mixed in with the other packaging material "GAS ETHANOL NO". This French made product has the worst broken English in all the literature, worse then the Chinese broken English I've seen in other product info! WTF In the past I have bragged about my capability of being able to use plain old regular (low octane that is) E-10, pretty damn handy and a huge cost savings. It will be a total deal breaker if I can't use E-10 in this thing. So, I tried to email the manufacturer to ask about how and why they determined the supposed unsuitability of their product to ethanol, no luck there, not yet anyway, their website was difficult to navigate and the same with their email. Then I emailed the US based marine supplier I bought it from, and suggested it may be a good frigging idea to mention in their product info that it is recommended it only be used with pure gas, no response back yet, but too soon to tell.

So, for now, I either throw it away and forget about it (I of course already put fuel in it, so can't really return it I'm guessing), or just put pure gas in it (that will work, until the first time I can't get any, most of the time when on a trip) OR I can assume they are being badly advised by their lawyers and overly cautious and just go ahead and use E-10 anyway. I believe the use of E-10 in Europe is fairly new, and they may still be feeling their way. If I take this path, I will also be assuming that a cheap inline filter, one of those clear ones where you can see the element, will suffice to alert to me the possibility of any breakdown in the bladder and also prevent introducing any gunk into my main fuel system. I don't much care if the only problem with E-10 use is a shorter life span of the bladder, I'm not planning to fly with this filled anyway, this is just a ground transport scheme, if it springs a leak, big deal. Also, the bladder would only have E-10 in it for an hour or so at most, the rest of the time it'd be empty. BTW, none of the on line suppliers of this product thought it worth mentioning in their product info that is listed as being non E-10 approved.

Since this cost me $395.00, and like most of us I don't like looking like a dumb ass , I hesitated before posting about this little hitch in this product, but short of jumping on an airliner and going to France and dealing with the manufacturer directly I will if worse comes to worse just eat it, financially. As Otto Lillienthal famously said "sacrifices must be made"! My best guess is, while trying not be over optimistic due to the dollars involved, I'll be fine using E-10, the clear filter should be adequate in insuring clean fuel delivery .

You can't trust the French...

I think bladders are the way to go, just have to find the product that works, technically and economically. Thanks for taking a bullet for us.

Appreciate the review, warts and all. Staying tuned for the manufacturers response, if it comes.

-M3X

My ABW bags don't leak, though it's easy to cross thread the caps. I fill them right to the top, squeeze all the air out of them and transport them caps up...never had a problem. They're about 8 years old.

For pouring ABW made a valve attachment that replaces the stupid spout that comes with them. That does leak a little when you use it...few tablespoons is all.

I can see where the threads and caps could be damaged with use...too bad they don't have a proper brass interface. But for the price you can't beat them.

Mine don't leak either, but the non cross threaded caps do, both, always have no matter what I tried. As you say, keeping them upright is the solution there. They are not a good size for my situation either, as in dimensions when full. This bladder is, perfect in fact. I'm researching nitrile /E10 compatability while on the chairlift, somewhat encouraging!

Nitrile and ethanol are compatible. That's what Eagle Fuel Cells says anyway and I haven't had a problem either.

Thanks Marty, I was hoping you would check in! I have come to the same conclusion, nonetheless I will also use the inline clear filter I already ordered from Summit Racing. Not a bad idea of course on general principles, it's a high flow model (3/8" fittings, for high horsepower hot rods) so it won't slow down the fuel transfer pumping.

A deafening silence so far from the marine supplier I purchased from, maybe something is wrong with the internet? I found another supplier that handles the bladders that has a better site, clearly showing the accessories available for these bladder tanks. I ordered the 90 degree fitting I need, they will get my business from now on. http://www.imtra.com (click on "other products" to show the bladders). Onward and upward!

Great news on the fuel bladder front!

I heard back from both AHOYCAPTAIN (the US based retailer) I bought from, and their supplier, what seems to be the US imported of the bladders:
Good afternoon Tom.



I am replying to you regarding your online order for a 90 degree fuel tank fitting and comments.



We have not had any horror stories regarding any of the 9 gallon bladder tanks being used with E10 fuel. ( I asked them, "any horror stories concerning E-10 use, or just lawyers covering their butts")



We were in contact with Vince from Ahoy Captain regarding your concerns. The factory back in 2007 confirmed that their tanks could be used with E10 fuel and not have any issues. When you brought up the label issue with Vince, we went and pulled all of our 9 gallon tanks that we have in stock to check. We could not find any label of this type on any of the tanks we had. Your tank came from our stock here. We then reached back out to the factory for them to confirm whether any tanks are being supplied with any type of label you mention, as well as them verifying whether the use of E10 in the tanks is acceptable. They have not replied back to us yet and we have sent along another request for clarification.



As soon as I have a response, I will let you know.


So, AHOY CAPTAIN is officially off my sh*tlist, they were waiting to hear back from their wholesaler, and they are waiting on France. In the meantime I am good to go, and am glad I saved what sure seemed to be a ethanol disclaimer that arrived in the original packaging, and am sending that on to the importer. Thanks again to 180 Marty also on easing my concern.

I've had leaking issues with my ABW bladders, but only with auto fuel. The auto fuel distorts the caps. The groove that holds the O-ring changes shape and won't hold the O-ring properly. Even if there is no obvious leaking from the cap, I can smell the gasoline vapors; the bladder material or caps may be permeable for some of the gasoline constituent's vapors.

When I fill them with AvGas, they don't leak and they don't smell.