Home Made Set-up for PA-30 Fuel Sumping

[Charles Schefer]

This is my first attempt at uploading an image to the fourm so hopefully I've done it correctly. If not forgive me . I have seen other threads on the topic of sumping fuel but I wanted to share this home-made set-up I put together to sample fuel from my PA-30. It consists of a small box I made from lightweight plywood and two GATS Jars. I like GATS Jars because they allow the sampled fuel to be poured back in through a screen that stops contaminants including water from going back into the tank. I also incorporated clear tubes that feed into the GATS Jar inlets and they "sleve" over the sump tubes that stick out under the belly. Take a look at the attached pic - I'm pretty happy with it and upon my first test it works quite well (except that 100LL will strip the paint off my plywood box I think...)

- Charles

Home-made PA-30 Fuel Sump Set-up.

[N3322G]

Way more elegant than the 30 gallon flat-ish clear sterlite bottom bin we use. WalMart special. Fuel goes in the power tow and airport lawnmower.

[Charles Schefer]

[N3322G]

When I'm somewhere on a ramp that I can't drain on - I have a 2 cup plastic measuring cup - another walmart item. Requires two though- one in the cockpit to pull sumps and another to hold it underneath

[Charles Schefer]

[SLIMDREDGER]

I use a clear plastic pan that has a press on plastic top. The pan is about 12" x 18" x 3" deep. I keep a few tools, a quart of oil, and towels in it and store it in the baggage compartment. I drain a lot from all four tanks and the crossfeeds into the pan and then check it for water or crud. Rarely find any, but if it's there lower one corner and everything moves there surprisingly fast. I decant the good gas back into the tank (or my tug if it needs it) and get rid of the last bit in the corner with its dirt or water. If I find anything I go back and check each tank out individually.

If it's windy, I grab box or suitcase and elevate the pan up next to the belly to prevent the gas blowing away before it hits the pan.
AHP

[Bryan Burnette]

I use a container about the same size in white. I guess you could pour the contents from the container into the gats jar and the back into the plane. Otherwise, into the tug it goes.

[George Kretschmann]

Charles, That's a great idea and a cool setup!

[Charles Schefer]

[jeffrey aryan]

You should make some up and sell them.

Jeff

[Charles Schefer]