Fuel tank idea

[Alexander_0_1]

So I'm sitting at my work bench, looking at a transparent disposable lighter when I start to think why aren't R/C fuel tanks built like this?, what I mean is why isn't there a baffle closer to the bottom of every fuel cell with the a larger opening for the baffle located at the front of the tank, and a smaller one at the back of the tank......you see when I stood the half full lighter up I noticed that the fuel stayed on the side with the pick up tube longer, it could help out with running the engine dry when driving on steep slopes

 

[Jeeprider]

Thats actually a great idea, but now u just got figure out how to put the baffles, would like to see the completed project. Could be epic

 

[moe7404]

a small piece of foam might do the same thing. i have never tried this. NEW IDEA: put a check valve close to the ext, manifold. in the pressure line holding the pressure toward the fuel tank, and then a tee fitting close to the fuel tank. with two fittings carrying the pressure to the fuel tank. the third fitting is plunged with JB-weld and drill it with a .020-.030 dia as a small vent. this will make the tank pressure more stable. i have only used it for a short tome but it did seam to work

 

[olds97_lss]

When the fuel runs out behind the baffle... how does the fuel in front of the baffle get to the back? In a lighter, the fuel isn't liquid coming out, it turns to gas as the pressure changes when you open the valve. So it doesn't matter where in the lighter the liquid fuel is as all your getting out is the liquid fuel after it turns into gas from the top of the tank.

I've seen foam inserts for tanks to help keep fuel from sloshing around.

I've also used check valves and they were more of a headache than they were worth.

I've noticed most buggy tanks have baffles in the tanks, but there are cuts in them clear to the floor of the tank that the fuel gets through all the time. It just helps slow the fuel from rushing to the front of the tank when you hit the brakes, but doesn't stop it entirely.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

I was thinking of putting the baffle horizontal, fuel will flow around the baffle via the large opening at the front of he baffle, and substantially smaller opening/openings at the rear of the baffle while he R/C is more or less level, I don't know about the rest of you guys but I have yet to burn one full tank of nitro climbing one hill!, or pulling one wheelie!.....my point!, wait a minute?... What was my point, oh ya, there should be an instance where G-force positive/negative, or just plain old gravity will help out with getting the needed fuel around the baffle

 

[Snook Man]

Why not just use a clunk? It's be proven to work for many years.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

All I know about the term clunk is its a word to describe a sound, what does it mean in R/C terms.

 

[Snook Man]

A clunk is basically a weighted fuel pick up that’s inside the tank attached to the outlet with a piece of fuel tubing. Gravity is then your friend and the cluck follows the fuel level. It’s how fueled planes can fly upside down etc. without starving for fuel. Adding a clunk to most tanks would be much easier than reinventing the tank.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

Big help bud! Thanks, now I've gotta try the clunk!

I'm still gonna try my idea, since my GH tanks unbolt in the middle, the only thing that sucks is I won't be able to tell if its working since I haven't adapted to see through aluminum....Fly by faith not by sight!

 

[Alexander_0_1]

NEW IDEA: put a check valve close to the ext, manifold. in the pressure line holding the pressure toward the fuel tank, and then a tee fitting close to the fuel tank. with two fittings carrying the pressure to the fuel tank. the third fitting is plunged with JB-weld and drill it with a .020-.030 dia as a small vent. this will make the tank pressure more stable. i have only used it for a short tome but it did seam to work

I like this idea!, although it seems like too many fittings...for the average R/Cer

My tank idea is based on the notion that not everyone has access to these fittings, LHS don't have everything that an experienced R/Cer could use, so it's more than likely an average guy won't be able to find them either.

 

[Snook Man]

Reguating the tank pressure will do you no help if the fuel does not reach the pickup.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

I thought about that one also, for my tank I was thinking about having a conical bottom, well sorta more like a triangle, so the fuel is funnelled into to fuel tank nipple, close to the rear of the tank, while still having the horizontal baffle at 1/2 to 1/3 of the inside of said tank

 

[olds97_lss]

I was thinking of putting the baffle horizontal, fuel will flow around the baffle via the large opening at the front of he baffle, and substantially smaller opening/openings at the rear of the baffle while he R/C is more or less level, I don't know about the rest of you guys but I have yet to burn one full tank of nitro climbing one hill!, or pulling one wheelie!.....my point!, wait a minute?... What was my point, oh ya, there should be an instance where G-force positive/negative, or just plain old gravity will help out with getting the needed fuel around the baffle

I guess I've seen so many vertical baffles in tanks, my head didn't think of putting one horizontal. Now I'm on your page. lol

You could even angle it down some towards the front so the fuel always ran down the plate and into the bottom of the tank.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

Great idea olds_lss, 5-10 degree slope should be more than enough to allow the fuel to travel over the baffle even when the R/C is under hard acceleration

I can make the first one this afternoon out of some thin steel, but if I wanted them made out of transparent plastic how would I do that?

I have a feeling I'm going to have to pick up some modelling clay and figure out how to make a mould of some kind.

 

[moe7404]

my idea only takes 2 fittings. one close to the tank and one close the muffler. i get the idea from working on pneumatic and hydraulic systems. i do need to say that i only used it on pavement, not dirt or off road. and i only ran 3-4 tanks through it. check out Sullivan products. i have nothing against the other ideas. they sound good it me.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

Hmm, I like the Sullivan tanks, although I don't see any holes for bolts to mount them to my savages

 

[moe7404]

i bought a Sullivan tank to use as a over size tank for breaking in an engine on my truck tailgate. but dodnt get to use it much. you might have to build some brackets. iam not sure i would trust zip-ties.
can plastic be bent with heat? or time for a rip-rap.