Pressure test fuel tanks
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:26 pm
FWIW: Several builders advised me that balloons tend to leak pretty badly through the material, and weren't too reliable an indication. They advised me to us a good grade of condom???? While (at my age) I had trouble remembering anything about condoms, I did use these and found that they worked well - to check the tank for leaks, that is.
I fitted my tank quick-drain with an inner-tube valve, and used a bicycle pump to inflate the tank (and condom) - to keep from over pressurizing the tank. After finding several small leaks, and repairing them with the vacuum cleaner trick (the air leaks were fairly obvious by sound - only one was found using soapy water), the condom remained "erect" through the night. Keeping a constant temperature during the test is also important. Be sure and clean the area where you use any soap, since the residue can cause corrosion.
Charlie Starr
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I fitted my tank quick-drain with an inner-tube valve, and used a bicycle pump to inflate the tank (and condom) - to keep from over pressurizing the tank. After finding several small leaks, and repairing them with the vacuum cleaner trick (the air leaks were fairly obvious by sound - only one was found using soapy water), the condom remained "erect" through the night. Keeping a constant temperature during the test is also important. Be sure and clean the area where you use any soap, since the residue can cause corrosion.
Charlie Starr
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