140cc (5 ounce) syringe for fueling

[John Fitzgerald]

Does anyone know of a source for these at reasonable prices?  One med supply wanted only $6.99 for one, but $13.77 shipping. To me it is not worth $21.76 for one syringe that lasts only a year. Anyone have a case of them and want to sell an few?  Thanks.

[Tim Wescott]

Does it have to be 5oz?  Sig sells 6oz.

If you have any feed stores nearby check there -- honkin' big animals need honkin' big syringes, and big syringes are often stocked.

Check the tip size: there's ones with big-diameter ends (good for shooting applesauce mixed with pain killer down a horse's gullet), and ones with "normal sized" ends that fit fuel tubing well.

[John Fitzgerald]

Tim,
The 140 cc size is the biggest I can find online. The 6 oz would work if I could find one reasonable.  All I can find locally are 60 cc (2 oz) size.
I know to look for the ones with the small tips that will take a standard needle.

[Steve Helmick]

Check the SIG site for price and shipping, and check your local farm store. Mine are 5 oz and the pkg. said SIG. Maybe what Tim reports is a typo? FWIW, Jim Lee and Carl Shoup both sell upgraded pistons/O-ring seals for the 5 oz syringe, but I'm not sure if the whole thing comes complete, or if they just sell the parts.

Believing Brett's statement that the most accuracy is to be had by filling the tank and then removing a known quantity (of excess), I use a "ketchup pump" fueler and have a 1 oz syringe hanging there, ready to remove the excess. I much prefer NOT to use a syringe to put fuel INTO my plane, but do have one or two around that can be put into service, just in case. IMO, I get less chit in my spraybars than most, and attribute the difference to the fueling drill. Some have gone so far as to change over to baddery (sic) power... Steve  

[John Fitzgerald]

I'm not too interested in "baddery" power right now.  Too expensive, and I am only a sport flyer.
The farm supply stores nearby carry a maximum size of 60cc.  I had a 5 ounce Sig several years ago, but had to throw it away when the seal turned to goo.  I got it from the local hobby shop, which closed about five years ago.

[Balsa Butcher]

Jim Lee's syringes are a one-time purchase. They are complete, not upgrades to your old one. Machined plunger, replace single O ring at beginning of the flying season and fagetaboudit! Highly recommended. 

[Brian Massey]

I bought my 5oz syringe at Eugene Toy and Hobby about 2 years ago. The only "mod" was to wrap the outside in clear package sealing tape to keep the fuel from eating off the numbers. It works flawlessly and I get no "chit" in my spraybar. Think I paid something in the 6 bucks range. Handy place to buy one . . . if you make the Northwest Regional that is.

Brian

[Brett Buck]

Check the SIG site for price and shipping, and check your local farm store. Mine are 5 oz and the pkg. said SIG. Maybe what Tim reports is a typo? FWIW, Jim Lee and Carl Shoup both sell upgraded pistons/O-ring seals for the 5 oz syringe, but I'm not sure if the whole thing comes complete, or if they just sell the parts.

    I have been using the one I got from Carl Shoup for the better part of 10 years. It was complete. i used the *red* o-ring, it seems to last a lot longer than the black one. The good thing is that it has a much larger output hole than the SIG version, and with the large silicone tubing except for the very end, it's a lot easier to use.

   If there was a 8 oz version, it would be perfect. As it is, it takes more than one pass at the fueling, since I am running about 6.8 oz of fuel at sea level.

Believing Brett's statement that the most accuracy is to be had by filling the tank and then removing a known quantity (of excess), I use a "ketchup pump" fueler and have a 1 oz syringe hanging there, ready to remove the excess. I much prefer NOT to use a syringe to put fuel INTO my plane, but do have one or two around that can be put into service, just in case. IMO, I get less chit in my spraybars than most, and attribute the difference to the fueling drill. Some have gone so far as to change over to baddery (sic) power... Steve  

     I note a strong correlation between the use of ketchup pumps and crud in the fuel. I have used the syringe and various filters in the system and haven't had *any* crud in the on-board filter OR the spraybar for a very long time now. I have also found exactly ZERO crud in any of the filters in the can, which leads me to conclude that there is absolutely nothing in the fuel as it comes from the factory. If there is some, it's coming from the fueling equipment.

    Brett

[Tim Wescott]

Check the SIG site for price and shipping, and check your local farm store. Mine are 5 oz and the pkg. said SIG. Maybe what Tim reports is a typo?

The typo was inside my brain, unfortunately -- I was misremembering what I have in my own @#$% flight kit.

[Tim Wescott]

Believing Brett's statement that the most accuracy is to be had by filling the tank and then removing a known quantity (of excess), I use a "ketchup pump" fueler and have a 1 oz syringe hanging there, ready to remove the excess. I much prefer NOT to use a syringe to put fuel INTO my plane, but do have one or two around that can be put into service, just in case. IMO, I get less chit in my spraybars than most, and attribute the difference to the fueling drill. Some have gone so far as to change over to baddery (sic) power... Steve  

I can't speak from vast experience, but I recently went from using no filters at all to using one in the fuel jug, through which the fuel goes on its way into the (5oz, d'oh) syringe, and another one between the tank and the engine.  I thought the difference would be a subtle one, with slightly more reliability noted over a period of weeks.  From the first engine run things were markedly better...

I wonder if acrylic would stand up to fuel, or if there are any other clear and relatively easy-to-machine plastics that would do so?  If so, some clever and motivated fellow could make his own syringes.

[Howard Rush]

These work swell downstream of the ketchup pump:   http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/MaxPower-1-4-in-dia-universal-In-Line-fuel-filter-for-use-with-MaxPower-fuel-line-334288?itemIdentifier=2318  , or from Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Power-334283-4-Inch-Fuel-Filter/dp/B003VPAERU .  Other similar filters have added more jive than they've subtracted.  I put another filter downstream in series just in case.

[peabody]

Dub Jett offers a nifty fueler.....comes with a page of instructions!

[PerttiMe]

The Jett fueler isn't exactly cheap:

http://www.jettengineering.com/accy/tank.html
http://www.darrolcady.com/Jett_Products/jett_products.htm

[kenneth cook]

               Recently, my son started to fly speed limit combat. Filling bladders takes its toll on syringes rather quickly. The pressure causes fuel to weep out and behind the rubber plunger. We found that after every flying session, we remove the plunger and wash in soapy water when home. Cleaning the inside of the tube as well. This somewhat prolongs the life but it certainly doesn't last a season. We discovered through others that the 2oz. syringe works better due to less pressure required to push it filling the bladders. I still prefer the larger due to the capacity. I contacted Jim Lee and purchased a few of them. Not only does Jim sell the complete syringe, he sells a replacement plunger and seal to repair your old ones. His syringes come with the Luer lock tip. This is terrific for anyone who wants to use the fittings on the tip like I do in which you can use small or large depending on your needs. This prevents the fuel tubing from coming off and all of us know how frustrating that can be. His syringes have a top that bolts directly onto the top of tube which prevents the plunger from being completely withdrawn. I don't think your going to find a better replacement for the money. A simple switch of an o-ring and your back in business. It is truly that simple. Jim responded very promptly to all my e-mails. He was headed out for vacation and made it a point to get the items I ordered out to me. I can't say enough positive comments about him. Ken

[tom hampshire]

A simple trick to reduce the dirt in the fuel system is to draw/fill the syringe, then a brief, hard squirt to put a little bit back in to the jug, flushing the filter.  SOP for me.  Jim Lee's filter, while a little steep, is very high quality and never goes out of style.

[john e. holliday]

Hey guys, if you forget to wrap the sleeve of the syringe with clear tape of some kind, don't worry.   Just put one inch markings on the syringe.   One inch equals one ounce of fuel.   Anyway it is close enough for me.   

Don't forget to wrap the new markings with clear tape.jeh

[Brett Buck]

The Jett fueler isn't exactly cheap:

http://www.jettengineering.com/accy/tank.html
http://www.darrolcady.com/Jett_Products/jett_products.htm

   I have one, but has no place to store the free end of the tube and no easy way to add one.

     Brett

[Zuriel Armstrong]

John,

The unit from Jim Lee is great.  It does not leak through the bottom end and seems to last forever.  Jim even has an overhaul kit for them when they do start to wear out.

Zuriel

[John Fitzgerald]

I exchanged e-mails with Jim this morning and have one of his custom syringes coming next week, along with a spare O-ring.

[EddyR]

Tractor Suppy and they are less than $2. Most of the time they do not stock them but they will order them and I bought six for $10
Ed

[John Fitzgerald]

The local TSC only lists up to 60cc...140cc is not even listed in their catalog anymore...I tried everywhere locally before finding out about the nice custom ones Jim Lee sells.  Have relatives working at local hospitals, and they only use up to 60cc.  I can see the possibility that the 140 cc (5 oz) size may be unobtainable sometime soon except on the used market.

[John Cralley]

Try your local Vet!! They might even give you one. Also, go to the Biology Dept. at your local college and beg!!!

[Brett Buck]

The local TSC only lists up to 60cc...140cc is not even listed in their catalog anymore...I tried everywhere locally before finding out about the nice custom ones Jim Lee sells.  Have relatives working at local hospitals, and they only use up to 60cc.  I can see the possibility that the 140 cc (5 oz) size may be unobtainable sometime soon except on the used market.

   Mr. Google offers this suggestion

http://www.calvetsupply.com/product/Syringe_140cc/Syringes_no_needles

   Brett


actually, this is the one you really want, much easier to draw the fuel through it:

http://www.calvetsupply.com/product/Feeding_Syringe_140cc/Syringes_and_Hypodermic_Needles

[Tim Wescott]

Squeeze all the goo out of a tube of bathtub caulk, make a plunger, and call it a fuel syringe?

[John Fitzgerald]

I am getting Jim Lee's custom 5oz syringe.  I am sure I will be happy with it.  My largest tank is 4.5 oz, and have no desire to go larger. I am only a sport flyer, and probably always will be.  I enjoy running the engines, the smell of castor and the nostalgia of it all. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Just don't try using the SIG 6oz. syringe with gasoline!  (spark ignition, you know).  Destroys the rubber thingie right away!

Floyd

[Tim Wescott]

Just don't try using the SIG 6oz. syringe with gasoline!  (spark ignition, you know).  Destroys the rubber thingie right away!

If the body of the Jim Lee fueler didn't react to gasoline then at worst you'd be an O-ring change away from joy.

(And the Sig fueler is 5oz -- I checked mine when I went flying yesterday).

[dave siegler]

This is the last one you will ever need. 
 
http://shop.viko-shop.com/syringe_3.html


No I just buy the ones from the vet store.
I realy realy like the ones with the screw on luer tip.

[Steve Helmick]

               Recently, my son started to fly speed limit combat. Filling bladders takes its toll on syringes rather quickly. The pressure causes fuel to weep out and behind the rubber plunger. We found that after every flying session, we remove the plunger and wash in soapy water when home. Cleaning the inside of the tube as well. This somewhat prolongs the life but it certainly doesn't last a season. We discovered through others that the 2oz. syringe works better due to less pressure required to push it filling the bladders. I still prefer the larger due to the capacity. I contacted Jim Lee and purchased a few of them. Not only does Jim sell the complete syringe, he sells a replacement plunger and seal to repair your old ones. His syringes come with the Luer lock tip. This is terrific for anyone who wants to use the fittings on the tip like I do in which you can use small or large depending on your needs. This prevents the fuel tubing from coming off and all of us know how frustrating that can be. His syringes have a top that bolts directly onto the top of tube which prevents the plunger from being completely withdrawn. I don't think your going to find a better replacement for the money. A simple switch of an o-ring and your back in business. It is truly that simple. Jim responded very promptly to all my e-mails. He was headed out for vacation and made it a point to get the items I ordered out to me. I can't say enough positive comments about him. Ken

FWIW, the ketchup pump will fill any bladder tank without any hassle, and is an easier way to fill your syringe than pulling on the plunger. I use the 1 oz/stroke version, and just bought 3 at Tap Plastics (Google them), at under $3 each. If you get the air out of the pump, it will pump exactly 1 oz per stroke. Can't explain Brett's trouble with one, because I've left mine in the jug for 5+ years with absolutely no problems with Powermaster fuel. I would not be surprised if you couldn't pump your bladder up faster with the ketchup pump than using two syringes.  Steve

[Mark Scarborough]

   I have one, but has no place to store the free end of the tube and no easy way to add one.

     Brett

Brett,
the Pylon guys ( yeah I be one) have a solution for that, I will try to remember to take a picture for you. We also use two filters inline, one is for filling the fueler ( you draw through two filters) which then you disconnect and fill your tank through the remaining filter.

These also have two minor issues, one is that while drawing fuel the tendancy is to squeeze the tube portion which distorts it and makes it a real pain to draw fuel ( occasionally leading to pulling the plunger out of the tube resulting in a nice fuel bath,,,talk about smelling like fuel!!) . the other issue is that the seal tends to degrade. The  solution to that is to leave some fuel in the tube to keep the soft seal saturated in fuel, it seems to work fine for longer then.

[John Fitzgerald]

I received the Jim Lee (Lee Machine Shop) 5 ounce syringe today.  It's an excellent product.  The only original part is the outer shell.  Everything else is custom fitted.  I highly recommend it, and with reasonable care, will likely never have to buy another syringe.

[Bill Little]

I received the Jim Lee (Lee Machine Shop) 5 ounce syringe today.  It's an excellent product.  The only original part is the outer shell.  Everything else is custom fitted.  I highly recommend it, and with reasonable care, will likely never have to buy another syringe.

Hi John,

Anything Jim Lee makes is top drawer.  I have had one of his syringes for years and it is still working fine.  I usually use a ketchup pump to fill the tank, but I always use Jim's syringe to remove an exact amount to time the engine runs.

Big Bear