RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Bob Purton on December 27, 2012, 11:06:32 AM
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I was thinking of using 12 volt fuel valves on my microcars connectred to the ignition switch. The idea it to solve the problem of me forgetting to turn off the tap! Something I do a lot. Has anyone done this? If so which product did you use? Pro's and cons? I intend to retain the old fuel tap to keep use of the reserve tank.
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i do know that keith price's Bond D that we borrowed for a week had such a device and seemed to work admirably - no idea of make . myself , i have rarely ever turned the fuel off in any vehicle i have owned - much horror ! :o never had a problem
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Many, if not all, German cars have to have an automatic off switch on the fuel system. Tiger does, que big fuss. NSU used a small solenoid which operated a plunger. Bloody nuisance as they used to fail and muck up the mix on my TT so I binned them. Naught wrong with a tap but these valves will still exist. Do not modern cars have such a thing up there backsides to cut of the fuel in an accident.
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Some work on inertia, some cut off power to the pump. I need a solaniod type that cuts off flow in the fuel line. I'm checking out boat ones now.
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Motorcycles with gravity-feed fuel tanks and carburettors use/used vacuum-operated fuel taps so that starting (or just turning over) the motor created enough inlet vacuum to open the fuel tap. A drilling in the carburettor allowed a small hose to connect the fuel tap and the inlet.
Most had other positions such as reserve (to draw fuel from lower down the tank) and prime (which bypassed the vacuum section and just turned the tap on).
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Thanks Andrew. I know, I drove a Bamby for a while [its amazing I'm still alive!] That had the vaccum valve from the Suzuki CS50 scooter that the engine came from. It worked fine. I dont think I want to be drilling any holes in my Villiers S25 carb though.
I know quite a few Schmitt owners use the electric valve and others besides. I was hoping that one of them would see this and could recommend a good brand and tell me where to get it from.
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while you are waiting for someone from the UK to respond, try looking for solenoid valves for nitrous systems (power boost, racing, etc).
They are usually small, 12v, not very expensive and available on eBay.
Make sure you get one rated for FUEL.
Here is an example of one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390260385623 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/390260385623)
There is also a 3-port "fuel selector" valve that is used on RVs for switching fuel tanks. Not very expensive but you have to plug up one port so when you remove power, the fuel is not shunted out that port and all over the ground.
Here is one I have used:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=CRB22057_0364783990 (http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=CRB22057_0364783990)
it generally costs less than $25 USD
APEX was a brand of fuel valve that people used for a few years, but the supply appears to have dried up for some reason.
It was nice because it had a simple inlet and outlet and was fairly small.
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Many thanks Jim. I never thought of searching the racing/hotrod scene for one. I gave up with the marine line of enquiry, they all seem to specify for diesel fuel only. Its another lead.
I did find this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Petrol-solenoid-shut-cut-off-valve-12V-autogas-conversions-liquid-air-/160939313645?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2578bb09ed
Do you think it would be suitable? Everything else I have found is either very expensive or Chinese.
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I know quite a few Schmitt owners use the electric valve and others besides. I was hoping that one of them would see this and could recommend a good brand and tell me where to get it from.
Its on a Schmitt that is meant to go faster, in all probably. If so that is secret information and you need to join the chapel and be initiated.
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Never a truer word spoken in jest! When I was a Schmitter I found the MEC very friendly and helpfull. A handfull of MOC guys were also a great help, ones like Mark Snow, Maurice Rogers, Mick Morton, plus others but although I was a member of both clubs the MOC was very clicky and as you say, if not in the click you were not entitled to certain info. I'm hoping it may have changed since I left. Forgot to mention Helga Bonner, a lovely lady and much missed.
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Thoughts with Mick Morton, who I understand is seriously ill.
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An Isetta owner local to me has a electric fuel valve fitted to his Isetta, works very well im told and was taken from a standard car, will have a chat with him to try and find out which car it was from, the dripping fuel on a Bing carb can be dangerous as I have found out previously.
Kp :)
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Thanks for that. I still plan to fit one in the spring. Yes, let me know please what you find out. Thanks.
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Thanks for that. I still plan to fit one in the spring. Yes, let me know please what you find out. Thanks.
Stop Press - Bob to replace Bing with a Boing.
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Hiya
What about rather than the fuel valve option, just replacing Bing for a Dellorto 22mm, no leaky float chamber and easy to find, saw an isetta fitted with one at the Uk national in Wiltshire 2011,owner said it ran great and when I got my Heinkel Ireland it came with one fitted, I think it maybe the future as they also fit them to Messerschmitts.
It could be the future! ::)
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Dear Bob
All UK readers of Rumcar News received a Car Builder Solutions catalogue with their last issue of Rumcar News. On page 51 they show a fuel shut off valve for 8 mm and 10 mm hose sizes Cost for the small bore is £58 + vat
Is that the sort of thing you are looking for?
On page 52 they are selling Fuel Swirl pots to prevent surges or starvation when cornering, breeaking or accelerating hard. A must for all Purton Specials.
Chris Thomas
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Thanks. I did see the valves in the CBS catalogue as well as other places but they seem a tad expensive for what they are. There are some cheap ones out there from China but as Al says, then you start to think about if they will actually work for very long. I'm hoping to find something from a modern car, I'm in no hurry.
My Bing doesnt actually leak, I was only thinking of fitting the electric valve because I want to use one on my project car for a completely diferent reason and if that worked out ok was then going to use one on the Isetta as well to save me the bother of wondering if I had turned it off or not. I use the Isetta a lot locally in the summer and it would be nice to be able to treat it more like a normal car.
Antisurge bowl? I will have to have a look at that, My Isetta does suffer from starvation on roundabouts sometimes.
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Hiya
What about rather than the fuel valve option, just replacing Bing for a Dellorto 22mm, no leaky float chamber and easy to find, saw an isetta fitted with one at the Uk national in Wiltshire 2011,owner said it ran great and when I got my Heinkel Ireland it came with one fitted, I think it maybe the future as they also fit them to Messerschmitts.
It could be the future! ::)
It is the future, but.... With the Messerschmitt we have had a car on a rolling road so as to set up the car with the correct jetting. So there is a tested solution for the Schmitt and it has demonstrated it works in use against standard cars of merit. As far as I know neither Isetta or Trienkel has been put onto a rolling road to optimize performance and with attention to using the correct venturi for various options. Until that is done all is guess work.
To illustrate I had a Goggo 300cc running a 250cc top end after a major failure at Story. This, two up with remains of dead engine and camping luggage managed to catch and pass several Dellorto carb Treinkels up hill after giving them a pretty good start. Amazing for the Goggo and shows their abilities. A Goggo 300 has about the same performance as a Schmitt. A well prepared Treinkel should leave a Schmitt for dead on a hill. I question if the 'good running' carbs were as good as the could have been. Now I am happy to accept that a Trienkel Bing is a nasty bit of design but less so for an Isetta. So I understand why folk do this mod. Why not go that bit further and spend about £600 of club funds to get the data to bring forth the maximum available from this modification for all? Ian Frankland has all the kit available. Then the clubs can sell a modification kit that is known to work for around £140/£160 on installation and all win.
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Who is Serge Bowl and why are we against him?
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Dear Bob
I think Thumper just saw the Mc D fast food outlet and felt hungry. Keep away from big roundabouts on the A12!!!
Chris Thomas
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I was thinking along similar lines myself chris , but knowing bob he probably keeps thumper on a vegetarian diet , like his moped ;D
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Is it Mc D that is offering a small Boar for £58 plus VAT. Served on a stick with fries? Better than France!