Airtronic Fuel Pickup Help

[Flux]

Because I am an amateur and planned poorly, I don't have a fuel pickup for my Espar B4. So this weekend that is gonna happen. I have the standard Espar top mount pickup that I would need to drill a 1" hole in the top of my tank. No big deal except it's a fair amount of work dropping the tank, removing the fuel cell, cleaning it, defuming it, filling it with water and drilling the hole, remounting the tank...etc.

Now my Aero tank came with what looks like a 1/4" NPT bung and plug on the back bottom of the tank. Pictured below.



Cruising the net, I see that there are 1/4" NPT fuel petcocks. Like the one show below. This would be about a 10 minute job to remove the plug and install the petcock. I could get a 90 degree and start the fuel line in the upward direction and be well on my way.



Seems like the petcock would be a no brainer considering the hours it will take me vs 20 bucks and a couple hose clamps. My issue is that it seems to be in a really vulnerable spot, back by the wheel and at the bottom of the tank. Granted the axle is back there too which should prevent that sort of thing, but one never knows. Should the petcock break or the fuel line get torn then pretty much the tank is gonna drain out.

Now I could fab up a skid plate kind of thing that mounts to the frame and overlaps the tank which has a skid plate on the bottom too. No big deal to do that. But I am just tentative about that due to not wanting any issues when I am in the sticks. Easy enough fix if something happened, just keep the plug in the van. But......

thoughts?? Suggestions?? Anyone ever drill a fuel tank??

Of course all of this could have been avoided had I bought a fuel pickup in advance and had it mounted when Agile put in the Aero tank. But that would have been way too easy.

[LanduytG]

Sucking off the bottom is not a good idea, unless you were to put and 1-2 inch tube in the valve to it is getting fuel above the bottom of the tank. I have done something similar and worked fine.

Greg

[Flux]

Thanks! I did end up going this route. It was too easy. I am thinking the issue here is any sediment in the tank could get pulled into the line and then no go. Or just that one might drain the tank and then not be able to start?? Initial tests worked OK, there seems to be some air getting in my lines or I did not butt joint things well enough. The heater starts with a rhythmic "whump...whump...whump..." and then smooths out after a bit. the B4 pumps out a ton of heat though!

They make some pickups with a filter, may try that. Also need to build a little skid plate for it.

I am not worried about draining the tank so much. I like to keep the tank filled and these things sip fuel.

[cthayn]

Flux,

How has your fuel connection worked out.

I also have an Areo tank installed by Agile. Today I start to look at how to get the fuel pickup installed. I was getting ready to drop the tank, but I decided to take a look at the forum for ideas.

I saw this thread and climbed back under the van, and sure enough I have the same drain plug.

This just sounds to easy, so I wanted to get your feedback on how it has worked for you.

BTW, where did you buy the petcock?

>> Corey

[1der]

Corey, double check the top of the fuel tank by taking some pictures across the top of it if needed. Jake at Aerotanks sometimes includes an aux fuel pick up. It is a bit of a long shot, but it might be there.

I specifically requested two pickups be included in my tank. They are located on the top face inboard area about half way back. I will see if I have a pic somewhere.

[cthayn]

I will look again. I had originally asked for an extra fuel pickup when i had Agile install the tank. But I never was written down and I forgot to ask when I pickup up the van.

But I have been checking at the factory pickup location. I didn’t think to look elsewhere on the top of the tank.

I will take a look.

Thank.