fuel tester

[Lowmick]

Hello all,
what type of fuel sample unit you use? Looking for a "low cost" version, high needle/screwdriver, larger cup. Something like this, but 500 USD is out of budget (need at least 3 units)... Tronair 07-3006-6900 Fuel Sample Unit at SkyGeek.com

I was thinking of making own with screwdriver and empty bottle, but no big success with sealing it in the bottom where screwdriver goes through the cup.

[ahramin]

JEPPESEN DELUXE AIRCRAFT FUEL CHECKER from Aircraft Spruce

or my personal favorite

CURTIS FUEL SAMPLER CUP from Aircraft Spruce

[Lowmick]

Thanks for advice. But both of them are too small and Jeppesen has different draining type...

[Miles Magister]

LM,

Which aircraft is it for? Previously I have used the manufacturer's tool inserted over the spike on the Curtis type one mentioned above.

You could cut off a screwdriver and get a responsible grown-up to attach it to the spike on the curtiss style with a rebated joint covered with a sleeve.

MM

[Lowmick]

Pilatus PC-12. The original fuel sampler from Pilatus is not bad, but after some time the cup breaks.
I am afraid, that even if we solve spike problem, the cup is still too small for drained amount of fuel.

[IBMJunkman]

I am just SLF so have no knowledge of aircraft tools, etc. What is the possible justification of the Tronair price? Is the spike solid titanium and the cup from Waterford? Smacks of $400 government hammers.

[JonDyer]

You need Tom Moutrie. He built one for us when he was a keen FO, out of a dog bowl and an appropriate implement. It worked great and held about a litre of fuel if one was imprudent enough to release that quantity.

He'll have the blueprints somewhere.

[Lowmick]

Well, if it was made of screwdriver and "dog bowl" (or anything similar like a plastic bottle or so), I am just thinking of how to seal bottom where screwdriver goes through... any ideas or photos welcome

[MikeNYC]

Is a GATS jar somehow not sufficient?

[Lowmick]

Yup, short needle. And plastic top does not survive any longer when you need to push agains it to drain.

[NutLoose]

Pilot Aircraft Corp-- Worldwide Aircraft Parts, Tools & Service Provider

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...eljarpacks.php

The ones we had in the RAF were a long cylindrical Perspex sample jar/ tube that would hold a couple of pints, they had one of those orange screwdrivers in that reached the base of the tube, near the top it was drilled through and a pin went through the side, the screwdriver shaft and the other side.

[Miles Magister]

Use a 'T' handle screwdriver, drill two holes in the side of the cup for the 'T' handle ends then you do not seal the bottom.

[tommoutrie]

Chop of a screwdriver near the handle. Thread the chopped off end about half an inch with an appropriate die. Drill a hole in the bottom of the dog bowl. Run a nut up to the end of the thread. Put on a washer and an o ring to seal it to the bottom of the dog bowl. Same underneath. Done.

Or send me hundreds of dollars and I will do it for you.

Tom

[Lowmick]

Thanks Tom. This is something I am thinking about from beggining. Even if there will be no handle in the bottom of cup/dog bowl, this solution might work.
The only thing I was not sure is how easy would be threating of chopped screwdriver with a die.

[this is my username]

Maybe use threaded bar instead of a screwdriver and grind the end of it to whatever shape you need to open the fuel drain?

[Lowmick]

Requested shape is cross. But simple bar might work as well... will try, thanks.

[zac21]

Aero Twin

Aero Twin, Inc.-Fuel Sampler for Cessna Caravan

Advertised at $110 USD its used for Cessna Caravans.