Tim Cheal Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Hi All I use an electric fuel pump connected to a power panel for my glow fuel. I find that if I have not used the pump for a day or two it slows down considerably, until after a few minutes of 'dribble' it suddenly bursts into life with full flow. I assume it needs lubricating to get it up to speed, but is there anything I should do post fliying to lubricate it so it is ready to sit and hopefully come up to speed quicker for the next session? Any advice gratefully received. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Renew all the tubing and the pump rinsed out with Ether or Methanol.Especially if using Castor oil in the fuel It can also happen with synthetics too.Also the pump motor could need new brushes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extra slim Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Been considering a lithium based glow start Percy, any recommendations?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 It is likely that the pump unit is leaking and has filled the motor with oil. I regularly have to strip mine...its a pain in the bum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 After going through several electric fuel pumps all of which were hopeless (why did I bother?) fifteen years ago I bought a Dave Brown 'six shooter' manual pump............fifteen years ago maybe more! Never had to touch the pump internals, goodness knows how many gallons of fuel its had through it. Just checked and they're still available from Nexus Modelling Supplies. Still use a glow panel, but just to charge my glow stick on the field and the meter is useful for checking for a blown plug. Run my Sullivan starter from an old 3S lipo, loads of power, just one charge usually lasts all season. Edited By Cuban8 on 12/05/2017 17:02:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 OK, electric pump Tim. There is no cure if you use castor But if you use synthetic fuel, then after you have enjoyed your flying day and emptied the final tank Remove the feed from the fuel bottle and press fill just a few seconds to send air through it It will work next time out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Cheal Posted May 13, 2017 Author Share Posted May 13, 2017 Thanks all. I recognise the arguments for manual pumps, but in 5 years only once have I had the glow affected by the battery drain from the starter, and I now have a 2v battery for such eventualities. I have found if the 12V battery is working OK it all works very well. I did find yesterday that the filter in the fuel tank was causing flow difficulties, so I have resolved to take the steps above plus clean the filter more regularly. Thanks again. Tim Edited By Tim Cheal on 13/05/2017 10:27:48 Edited By Tim Cheal on 13/05/2017 10:28:07 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Carr Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Posted by Percy Verance on 13/05/2017 16:49:03: Lithium powered glow start Extra Slim? It has to be an RCATS. A superb bit of kit, man enough to energise both plugs of a twin. It has intelligent circuitry too, in that if you put a plug into the glow clip, energise it and then place it in a glass of water, you can see the amperage increase to cope with it being submerged. All clever stuff. It has a big capacity lithium cell too, and only needs charging once or twice a year. Of course genuine quality costs, and the RCATS isn't cheap at £100+, but you do get a seriously good bit of kit. I've had mine for years, and find it far better than sub c cell glow starts that never seemed to have enough charge in them when I needed them. had my RCATS lithium glow starter for 11 years now. Same for me, one charge at the beginning of each season is all it needs. Top quality product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 I've used a mechanical pump for years but the gears went brittle and broke recently - I had some spares from another pump but used the supply up! I'm using an old electric pump from a power panel at the moment - encased in a box with an old 3S LiPo, which I knocked up to keep me going but I managed to leave it at home the other week. I managed OK though - I have a fitting with a tube to the bottom of the fuel bottle and a vent, both with nipples, so I connected a spare piece of tubing to the vent and pressurised the bottle with the bicycle pump that I keep in the car to pump up retracts and clean gunge from (other people's of course) neglected carburettors. It filled it so easily that I'm thinking of patenting the idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangster Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Sorry Martin but you are behind the times here. Someone,I believe Mia produced a similar idea years ago. It was a pressurised garden sprayer with a tap instead of the spray lance. You put you fuel in the tank and pumped it up. I wish I. Had not replaced the tap with a spray lance for use in the garden or at least kept the tap. Anyone else remember these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangster Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Should have read MFA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Can anyone explain how pressurising the TANK fill it. Pressurising the fuel bottle I get but can't see how it works for the tank, But i'm phick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangster Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Not sure if anyone has suggested pressurising the model tank.I did confuse the issue by referring to the tank but in reality meant the tank or bottle that came with the pressure pump. You put your glow fuel in it in the same way you would put your weed killer in the garden sprayer The method Martin and I both mentioned pressurised the fuel bottle. Those MFA sprayer type things worked well and I wish I still had it or could get another one. At the time I also had an electric pump and needed a garden sprayer so I modified it and over the years have lost the tap Edited By gangster on 18/05/2017 10:38:20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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