Though it may seem like a luxury, a powered gas can makes a day at the field easier, especially if you fly more
than a couple times!
Text, photos and video by Tom Hintz
Posted - 9-4-2018
Part of my post-surgery reality is that if I stay bent over for long, my last meal is likely to reappear. As unpleasant as that might be I certainly did not want that to happen on one of my planes. Usually, the longest I am bent over at the field is when refueling my plane with a manual pump. This is the perfect excuse for me to get an electric RC gas can like the cool kids, so I ordered the system shown here from Madison Components.
The Deluxe Electric Gas Can comes with a red plastic “jug” with a 2gal-8oz capacity. Attached to the can at the filler next is the pump assembly. That includes a high-end Kavan electric pump that is mounted within the aluminum framework where it is not going to be damaged easily. The pump system comes fitted out with PVC gas-compatible tubing including a return line with quick-disconnect fittings. The internal tubing is 5/16”-diameter to be sure the pump stays charged with fuel during operation.
A high-quality ceramic filter/weight is attached to the pickup line. The ceramic filter is super-efficient, but I chose to add the optional, external, see-through filter that adds another level of fuel protection.
The gas jug itself has no modifications made to it, no holes other than the filler opening. That means far less chance of a leak. A Delrin cap is fitted to the tank with a thick O-ring that seals it. There is another seal at the top of the Delrin cap to further reduce fuel or vapors from escaping. The entire pump system fits over the fill neck and is secured by the cap.
The pump is powered by a 9.6v, 2000-NIMH battery built into a box on the aluminum frame. The “control panel” has a pair of receptacles for with banana plugs (plugs available on their web site, see Resources below) through which to charge the battery. There also is a three position, heavy-duty toggle switch. The center position is off with the up position filling the plane tank and the down position used for de-fueling the plane. Simple, dependable design with quality pieces.
There is a six-month warranty on the pump during which they will repair or replace it. See their web site for more details on this warranty.
I suppose the Deluxe Electric Gas Can could be put in the luxury category in terms of equipment needed for RC flying. We are going to want to be careful starting that kind of designation as our flying field pits are loaded with potential luxury equipment and parts. As we grow older labor-saving devices such as the Deluxe Electric Gas Can are progressively more helpful than a luxury. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.
Banana style plugs are used to charge the battery.
The Deluxe Electric Gas Can appears to be very well built with quality components. That gets to be more important as you get used to having the Deluxe Electric Gas Can around. It is much easier to fuel a plane with the Deluxe Electric Gas Can than cranking by hand. The Deluxe Electric Gas Can also seems quite a bit faster than the hand crank though I have not tried to crank as fast as I could.
Being able to reverse the pump at the three-position toggle switch makes de-fueling a plane a simple, quick operation. Having to get the fuel out of a plane is a common task when removing the tank or engine.
With all the pump-related components built into and around the cap, and no modifications to the can itself there are fewer fumes escaping. My trailer smells way less explosive with the Deluxe Electric Gas Can handling my gasoline storage/delivery chores these days. The Deluxe Electric Gas Can delivers fuel when we tell it to but keeps it safe within the can when not in use. Simple but important points of performance.
We can agree that owning a Deluxe Electric Gas Can may not be mandatory for everyone at the flying field. Nothing is. However, the Deluxe Electric Gas Can has been of interest to me for along time and I have to say that I am glad that I bought it. Having used the Deluxe Electric Gas Can for a few days at the field, it is having a bigger impact on my flying than I thought. Being faster with no cranking is a welcome addition at the field.
With a street price of $217.45 (8-23-2018) for the Deluxe Electric Gas Can with the external filter option it is not the cheapest fuel system we can buy. When it comes to storing gasoline with my models I do not want cheap, I want safe and dependable. The Deluxe Electric Gas Can brings both. Look around your shop/trailer/pit area and it is clear very little is cheap anymore.
Banana charging plugs at Madison Components – Click Here
Visit the Deluxe Electric Gas Can web page – Click Here
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