I need an affordable fuel cell.

skyhighZJ

skyhighZJ

Gov retirement < needs to live
Joined
May 31, 2012
Location
Aberdeen, NC.
Looking to put a fuel cell up against the cab on the flatbed of my Toyota. Aluminum would be nice as I think the plastic ones are pretty crappy. Somewhere in the 12-20 gallon range. Size/ Dimensions aren’t really an issue cause it will be on top of the bed against the cab under the rollbar and there will be a spare tire holder frame over the top of it for some protection as well. What have you used/seen used with success. Oh, this will be a carb’d motor so no need for anything except a pickup/return. Not trying to break the bank would be nice.
 
I'm running the RCI 2161A (15gals) with a full Artic cradle (>$200 for all)... many report they've split seams on them, but I haven't had any issues to date.
If'n I hadn't got the cell used at a stoopid deal and it fitting exactly where I needed it, I might look elsewhere...
 
Caver Dave said:
I'm running the RCI 2161A (15gals) with a full Artic cradle (>$200 for all)... many report they've split seams on them, but I haven't had any issues to date.
If'n I hadn't got the cell used at a stoopid deal and it fitting exactly where I needed it, I might look elsewhere...
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Being a top feed does it have a straw that on one of the ports to suck up the fuel? Have you had any slosh issues being it doesn’t have any sort of bladder/baffling?
 
skyhighZJ said:
Being a top feed does it have a straw that on one of the ports to suck up the fuel? Have you had any slosh issues being it doesn’t have any sort of bladder/baffling?
Click to expand...

My RCI doesn’t have a straw. I run fuel line down into a T and split driver and passenger to 2 Walbro pickups. Also, no baffles. I’ve considered using Baffle Balls made by the original Wiffle Ball company, but like @Caver Dave , mine hasn’t shown any signs of splitting. I’m slow in the woods. No high speed stuff for me.
 
BigSouth said:
My RCI doesn’t have a straw. I run fuel line down into a T and split driver and passenger to 2 Walbro pickups. Also, no baffles. I’ve considered using Baffle Balls made by the original Wiffle Ball company, but like @Caver Dave , mine hasn’t shown any signs of splitting. I’m slow in the woods. No high speed stuff for me.
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How do you seal the hose going into the cell? It looks like it has 3 Male AN fittings. This is going to be new to me so forgive my ignorance.

Edit: a quick google found this:
RCI Fuel Cell Multiple Pickup Kits
 
skyhighZJ said:
How do you seal the hose going into the cell? It looks like it has 3 Male AN fittings. This is going to be new to me so forgive my ignorance.
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Mine is simply a barbed fitting inside. Hose clamps or fancy push loc hose. I did both.
 
4981ED75-D350-4E02-BB39-38EC6BAF793D.jpeg
 
skyhighZJ said:
Being a top feed does it have a straw that on one of the ports to suck up the fuel? Have you had any slosh issues being it doesn’t have any sort of bladder/baffling?
Click to expand...

Mine definitely has a straw... about 1/4" off the bottom.
Aside from once at Callalantee on the waterfall bouncing (near full) and once at WindRocks 55* up & layed over on pass. side in v-ditch (1/2 tank) it typically doesn't lose prime... have the junk for Walbro pickups somewhere, but never have installed
 
What about diy'ing a steel tank? Doesn't seem terribly difficult other than laying a good pinhole free weld..

Also maybe a air tank or lp tank.. just a thought, correct me if that wouldn't be a good idea.
 
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a_kelley said:
What about diy'ing a steel tank? Doesn't seem terribly difficult other than laying a good pinhole free weld..

Also maybe a air tank or lp tank.. just a thought, correct me if that wouldn't be a good idea.
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If youre not wanting something odd shaped, you could buy a cheap poly cell and build a steel shell to go around it; similar to the safety cells.
 
Pennsylvaniaboy said:
meh, plastic might be "crappy" but they dont split. I mean if yuo want to look cool, go with a red steel cell.....that has that crappy plastic one inside of it...
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I realize they don’t split but I have had a couple of the Jaz ones and they sag, buckle and bloat something bad and they got sun bleached inside 6 months of installing them. Kinda thought they were cheap. That’s why I thought I’d go aluminum this time but I have also read the stories about them splitting seams. This won’t be a rock bouncer or anything close so I would hope that with a proper hold down system it would stand up pretty well. Guy has one for sale here on the board and I messaged him but no response so I guess I’ll look at a new one.
 
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