AUTO Fuel In Srakes

[RGlos]

Seeing All these shows with some pretty good metal fabricators, I was thinking if a pair of shaped metal tanks could be fabricated with all internal baffles, ribs, external "t" supports etc. Then the normal strake covers, top & bottom could be glued to the "t" strips etc. The metal tanks would be imbedded so to speak. Then you would have metal all the way to the engine and not have to worry about epoxy softening.

 

Engine seals and gaskets would be anouther issue but by that time the fuel would already have been combusted. Would these seals and gaskets even be an issue at that point?

 

As an example, American Chopper seems to be able to make tanks into a large variety of shapes and sizes and don't seem to leak.

 

Then, could one burn auto fuel with ethanol without worry?

 

Just thinking out loud.

[airnico]

check this also:

 

www.merin.it

 

they can build you a custom tank in every kind of shape and you should not have any metal dilatation issue.

[CBarber]

Funny that you should mention this as I have entertained the thought should I have another strake issue. If you recall, hell, it may be because of my issue you ask, I had Jeffco fail in my tanks. I had used the Jeffco specifically to address additives in fuel (in case of diesel conversion, ethonal etc).

 

After disscussions with Velocity, Inc and others I have chosen to NOT use Jeffco again and use straight EZ-83/10 epoxy. Velocity says they have not had issue with this use. They started using Jeffco to solve a customer concern that was only SPECULATED about.

 

If I have to tear open my strakes AGAIN, I will do what I can to fabricate metal...hopefully if this ever happens, it will be down the road after I develope better metal skills...of find someone who has them already. The interior of the Velo strakes have baffles inside. I do not know how much structural intergrity the baffles ad and if they would be a factor for metal bladders. Without the bladders, the shaping of the bladders would be much easier (put metal baffles in the bladders to reduce sloshing)....don't know what would be best with them for streanth purposes....several (five for the velo per side) separate bladders would be needed if you needed to keep the current baffles.

 

Interesting to think about.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

[Jerry Schneider]

I do not know how much structural intergrity the baffles ad and if they would be a factor for metal bladders.

I'd bet money the strakes tend to lock in the main spar to minimize twisting. Therefore, I would do my best to work around the baffles/ribs. (Unless they are different in a Velocity than a Cozy.)

[CBarber]

My thought as well.

 

Last night I added about 20 gallons of water to each strake. Since the tops are off the strakes I do not foresee any issue with getting all the water out later. Figure water is safer than fuel and will find the big holes. The strakes were holding when I left. I have an early morning but will try to get out there tonight after work (my workday ends at 2300 hrs) and see how they did.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

[steve]

will water find the holes the same as hot 100LL or mogas?

is this just a test because you have the top(s) off ? and you wanted a fish tank as a child ?

[CBarber]

It was just a test since the tops were off. I have subsequently installed the tops and did the "balloon test" and they held well.....after chasing a couple of leaks in the process coming out of the newly laid in tops.

 

They have since held some mo-gas too.

 

All the best,

 

Chris