Beer keg refueler page 2
My Solution:
Photos at end of page.
1. Drink all the
beer from a good beer keg (wait until sober for #2.)
2. Trip to the local
radiator repair shop to beg for a used radiator filler housing. Cost $
5.00 tip (and he threw in a good 13 pound pressure cap)
3.Remove the BUNG
from the keg (remove the clips just like the main wheel bearings on your plane) Use a
threaded nipple welded/silver soldered into the hole with a pipe cap to seal the
bung hole tightly. (For up-right
type Fit the filler pipe in place of the cap.)
4. Drill to the rear
of the keg and silver solder in a 3/4" copper pickup tube that extends to
the bottom of the keg. ( I cut up the side of the pipe 1/2" to keep the pickup tube off
the bottom of the keg. (For up-right type drill in the top, but off center.
5. Drill larger hole
and weld/silver solder for Fill pipe that has the radiator fill housing &
cap attached. The reason for the radiator type cap is for SAFETY, in case the
pressure builds up too high. A 13 pound cap should release the excess pressure
through the overflow tube and prevent any nasty things from happening.
The overflow tube should be vented outside the vehicle by use of a vinyl
hose.
6. NAPA stores carry
a great fuel filter and cartridge for $30.00. Replacement cart. are only $7.00
& I get a new one each January. Plumb
that sucker in by using reducers and copper pipe. Be sure to secure the filter
to the frame of the keg for support.
7. A used Nozzle and
hose can be acquired late at night from any closed convenience store or you may
find someone changing out nozzles like I did. Another $5.00 tip. My friend did
the unethical thing and purchased a new hose and nozzle for $35.00. (He has been
drummed out of the scavengers club for 3 years)
8. A small
3/8”pipe is installed in the center of the tank to screw on a Air Pressure Regulator
for
limiting the incoming pressure to 8 to 12 pounds. Any more than 12lbs will cause the
nozzle to click off as it can’t handle any additional volume of fuel. Plus the
radiator/safety cap will pop and send the air/vapors overboard. (Up-right type
attach on opposite side of pickup tube.)
9. Build a cradle to
support the keg (now refueler) so that it doesn’t fly around when you go over
bumps.
10. Attach any
pressure source to the regulator ( I use my portable air tank which is good for
several fuelling) and pump away, DON’T FORGET TO GROUND THE TANK TO THE PLANE
WITH GROUNDING WIRE.
My version lies on
its side but friends have built them to sit upright. You use the same type of
plumbing except the filler pipe can be welded into the old bung hole.