My current fuel pump (for pumping fuel from the can into the model's tank) leaks badly. When I bought it (at the LHS), I explicitly asked if it was leak free. They confirmed.
This time, I want a good one. I don't mind spending a bit, as long as I get good stuff.
Which brand of fuel pump do you currently own? Sometimes the 0-rings dry out and need replacing. Folks here can confirm or deny that possibility and might be able to provide instructions for replacing the dried out culprits.
If no answer here, go to
formatting link
formatting link
or
formatting link
and ask your question there. I'm sure you will receive an answer.
I'm guessing hand crank here? I think Sullivan has a good one. I don't like hanger 9 or tower. The last one I bought has been good. I wish I could get the bulb kind. I do have one for GAS.(petrol) mk
. I've been through many pumps and it's the only one that is made to last. Most of the junk sold these days falls apart with 6 months of hard use but the Slimline is built to last plus rebuild parts are available.
This thing is machined from billet aluminum and the pump head can be rebuilt. It costs a few dollars more but it's the last pump you'll buy.
That looks like a peristaltic hose pump. Their biggest problem is that the hose wears out from the repeated squishing.
The rebuild kit costs about the same as my cheap pump. Do you have any experience with how long one kit will last?
They state that the tubing in the rebuild kit is 12" long. That should be enough for 3 or 4 changes, I'd think?
Well, $50 is quite a few dollars. With another 50 for shipping, it does not come cheap. I'll have to think about that for a while...
Except when the hose is worn out and bursts, I guess. Then you won't have a leak, but a really messy blowout. Not something I'd want inside my field box.
Yes, it's a hose pump. I've had mine for over two years now and have had no problems. I consider the cost cheap considering how many of the junk pumps I've been through. The Hobbico pumps never lasted more than 6 months for me, one lasted only a few weeks. So I've spent more on those in less time than on the Slimline. Plus I've never gone to the field and lost a day of flying because my Boxxer blew out on me.
$50 for shipping? Look again. The $50 is the total. Shipping is listed as
**, calculated after payment info is entered.
I think the rebuild kit will do one rebuild. The tube extends out of the case.
Yes, it's more expensive than the cheap, crappy pumps. But it's a solid product with customer support and is repairable. Just like anything else, you get what you pay for.
OK. I can't find that info now. I must have been imagining things. Anyway, I found this: "Slimline ships orders within the United States & Canada only.". And I also found exactly zero international dealers in their dealer locator table. It seems they don't want my money.
Actually, the one I had before the cheap junk I have now WAS a VDO. It was from an Audi. The very reason I replaced it, was that it leaked. It was very old, though, so a newer one might be better. I opened it, and it seemed the rubber parts were disintegrating. It leaked less and was a lot more powerful, so the replacement was a total disappointment.
I don't have any petrol models (yet), only methanol. But I guess both methanol and nitromethane can be aggressive to some types of plastic. Since windshield wasing fluid also contains spirits, that should probably be OK. But what about rubber parts and oil. I know rubber and petroleum based oils don't go well together. What about the type of oil we have in the fuel?
Not necessarily. Most of them are gear pumps. They work well both ways and are also able to pull a little vacuum, so they can lift the fuel out of the can.
But some washer pumps are centrifugal pumps. They have to be mounted below the fluid level and they pump only one way. Here's one example:
formatting link
(you can click the picture to get a slightly larger one).
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.