The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel Cell Install - questions

Hi all,

A brown suited hero dropped off a fuel cell last night...

[img]http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/sum-290100.jpg[/img]

But I'm confused - he didn't bring any directions - and I'm not sure where all the lines go!

Two 8an lines at the pickup - one for fuel delivery - what is the other for - return? The 6an line on the top - this is a vent I assume.

I have no idea how to run the lines to make it work properly - any one with experience that can help me out?

- Ryan

That looks to be the same set up as mine, too bad mines not done yet.

Lowers are for supply and return, the upper is a vent. Havent really looked over the sender unit yet but mine appears a little different. The sender is not maked as to which terminal is the ground or to the gauge.

Ive got the supply fittings facing to the rear, anybody know if thats correct or not?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p498689a25f00642880258aa00a477269/fb85db 2d.jpg

Stea,

I figured that's how the fittings were configured.

Now - the delivery (left or right?) goes to the pump. The return? Where do I run that to?

The vent - that should run to below the tank? - is there a specific fitting that needs to go on the end of either the return or vent lines?

The sending unit in mine is a GM 90ohm. I didn't check for markings as to positive and negative.

- Ryan

I am planning on using one lower fitting for the supply line and capping the other, dont think you need it unless u need a return line for fuel injection. Im going carb so i wont need it. As far as the vent, i plan on running a line from the fitting to over the side. I will probably keep it up towards the bed and then find some sort of filter to let air and over flow out but not let anything in.

Stea,

that answers it - the second line will be capped because I'm using a carb not FI.

Thanks!

- Ryan

Ryan, please keep us posted on how this turns out. I am very interested in doing this also but have been considering making my own stainless steel tank. How much does yours hold? I'd like to have 18-20 gallons if possible. Also, what do you intend to do for a filler neck and where to locate it? I have lots of questions so am very interested in your thoughts.
Thanks.

53moneypit brought up an interesting idea. Ive thought about running a filler neck straight up through the bed floor. Ive seen several aluminum set ups that look good. probably wouldnt be to hard to connect the overflow to the filler neck just below the cap.

http://thumbs.ebay.com/pict/2459135734.jpg

Ok, I'm a little slow but I figured out what you're doing. It's a gas tank! And not a fuel cell which uses hydrogen or methanol to produce electricity.

OK, I might be able to help out with a couple of answers here. Ryan you should run your vent line to the filler neck. Thats where it will work the best. On the sender there should be a screw down connector in the center (hot) and a slip on connector along the edge (ground). You need to run your ground to the frame. The rest of the lines the other folks have you all set there. On you delivery/return look inside the cell and see if one has a pick filter on it that will be delivery.
Money pit, I just got done putting a stainless steel cell in my '46 Panel. Its right at 23 gals, I think its 22" X 26" X 10" if I remember right.
You can see it here

Fuel cell

Fuel cell in place

Good luck

Whoa! dude! fuel cells

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell1.htm

are used on space craft and the international space station, maybe next you could install a carbon dioxide removal apparatus! What you got there is yer GAS TANK man! PEACE! just as my buddies in England would say, "takin the [censored] outta ya". Aloha!!!

I guess some of you farmers may not know this, but over at Speedway they call those thingys "bottom sump FUEL CELLS"

http://www.speedwaymotors.com

They also call them the same thing over at Jeg's and also at Summit.

:rolleyes:

It's all good, this "old farmers" fingerprints are on the "international space station" as an aerospace worker for the past 15 years so sorry, the term just seemed weird to me, it's all about semantic's I quess, YEE HAA!!!

LOL and Thanks!

Fuel Cells - not the hydrogen powered kind. The gasoline kind. Funny story - nearly all the searches I did on google ended up giving me info for the hydrogen fuel cell.

Seems like replacement gas tanks are called fuel cells and originals are called gas tanks - can't seem to figure any other reason!

Filler neck question: will run directly through the center of the bed - with one of those polished aluminum doors.

I'll be detailing the process on my web page.

- Ryan

If using mechanical pump, cap return line off. If using an electric fuel pump, I strongly suggest mounting pump near tank, and running a bypass style regulator that uses the return line for overpressure relief. It'll provide accurate fuel pressure independant of demand and long pump life. Using no fuel pressure regulator or a "deadhead" regulator with no return line usually causes fuel delivery issues and shortened pump life.

good luck

chip

Thanks for the advice - I'll be using a mechanical right now - but in the future....who knows!

- Ryan

Ryan et al,

Automotive fuel cells have been mandatory in many racing organizations for years. Using a fuel cell in your old pickemup is actually a darn good idea.

Automotive Fuel Cell