Winter Storage Care of Fuel Cell...

[Al N.]

For those of you who have Fuel Cells and who put your car away for the winter (damn you southern californians!)...a few questions:

 

• Is it wise/unwise to add fuel stabilizer to gas in a foam-filled bag tank?

• Do you drain tank or keep filled (to keep foam moist)?

 

I had asked the folks at ATL last year and they said to keep it filled, but I think because of the safety breather (the rollover vent), that the gas eventually evaporates. I put it in the garage full, then when I went to take it out in the spring, the tank was definitely less than full. Do I keep topping it off?

 

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

---

 

Suggestions that I simply keep driving my car through the winter cold and slush and salt will be met with

 

:jester:

[Boxologist]

Orange isn't going on vacation to NYC?

[Sean]

I thought all you rich NY/NJ guys summered in Florida, anyway (?).

 

 

edit -- "summered" above should have been "wintered" :banghead: (duh... )

[Al N.]

I thought all you rich NY/NJ guys summered in Florida, anyway (?).

 

You mean "winter"...and you must have me mistaken with some of my neighbors.:jester:

 

Jon-it's just a matter of scheduling. Maybe January-March?

[Kitcat]

Hijack:

 

Al, I want to replace my standard Caterham 8 gallon tank w/one a bit more resistant to exploding. Who built yours and at what cost?

 

Did you lose any fuel capacity & if so how much?

 

I assume its a custom deal or do they make a standard "Caterham gas tank". I'd love to just be able to call someplace & say "Give me what Al got". Is it that simple or do I have to start taking measurements? Any other issues to be aware of?

 

Mike

[Boxologist]

mike, what is the diamter of the FIA roll bars?

edit wrong info removed. he went for more capacity iirc and now has next to no storage space, maybe a 3 iron and a pack of bubble gum will fit. u may consider something along the lines that Tony V had made up. pics of his are on the LOONY site. after having my fuel pump fail this August stranding me for most of the night, it would be nice to have a double tank with 2 switched fuel pumps.

[powderbrake]

For those of you who have Fuel Cells and who put your car away for the winter (damn you southern californians!)...a few questions:

 

• Is it wise/unwise to add fuel stabilizer to gas in a foam-filled bag tank?

• Do you drain tank or keep filled (to keep foam moist)?

 

 

Al:

I have foam in my aluminum tank, and I use Stabil each winter. I can't comment on the bag, but I assume it's neoprene, and won't be affected by the Stabil. I don't worry about how full it is, I just add the Stabil. I have not had a problem with the injectors or the filters. I have two filters , one is clear, just exiting the tank, so I can see if there is crud in the gas, and the next filter is after the high pressure FI pump. If the foam was deteriorating I would see it in the first filter.

 

Stabil also works great in my snow blower and in my leaf blower.

[Mandurath]

Stabil also works good in my boat, weed wacker and my lawn mowers.

[Al N.]

Thanks all. I'll try the Stabil.

 

Mike...my tank is a 55 Liter ATL deal as used in one of the Caterham race series (Masters?). I bought it direct from the UK factory when the exchange rate was a bit better because the ATL USA folks didn't exactly sound knowledgeable about the specific application. I'm sure ATL would much rather you bought it from the US outfit...located somewhere in NJ.

 

Scroll down a bit to see photo of installed fuel cell and lack of luggage room

 

I'd check with Cat USA to see if they have any of their bag tanks sitting around...though I think they stock the smaller size. Some other folks have used Fuel Safe cells, too.

[Kitcat]

Thanks Al/Box. I m prepared to sacrifice some "luggage" room for safety. I can always get some soft-bits luggage if storage becomes a concern. I have to say, my "boot" looks abt the same size as Al's anyhow.