Fuel cell setup for endurance events

[Terry Hanushek]

David

The Devil in the Dark 12 Hour at NJMP last weekend had the same 25 gallon limit

In the supps Special Event Rules 3

Terry

[Ed Funk]

Back in the dark ages, the fuel cell for enduros couldn't be larger than 10% bigger than stock capacity. That made our B Opel about a 13 gal max. Unless you're planning to sprint the enduro, figure out how much you'll need to run the car for as long as you want your driver shifts to be, then get that size cell. I guess the reason to run the max size cell would be if you weren't going to add fuel at each driver change. Most of the supps require a minimum of 90-120 second stops if you add fuel. If you can change drivers and tires etc in less than that, then running the big cell may be worth it. Carrying the extra weight may not be. We used to do an easy 2 hours on a cell full. My wife and I ran the 12 hr at Summit doing 3 hour shifts, it worked, but the cell had to be FULL!

Starting in '96, we ran the enduros with essentially the identical set-up that Kirk pictured. Not cheap but worth it! Competitors back then did a little griping. We still have it if anyone is interested in buying it.

[Knestis]

Yup. We have 3-hour capacity in the Golf. The best part about that is the flexibility. We don't often run all the way to 3 hours but we can take advantage of changing situations (e.g. FCYs, worker dinner delivery, contact damage).

K

[rsportvolvo]

I'm not sure what the fuel consumption is for the Volvo 240 yet, but my guess is about 10 gallons/hour. Does that jive with the 2.0L Golfs and the Opel?


Kirk,

What size is your fuel cell and how long can you run with a full tank? Also what is the diameter of your dry break: 1-1/2" or 2-1/4"?

[Greg Amy]

What size is your fuel cell and how long can you run with a full tank? Also what is the diameter of your dry break: 1-1/2" or 2-1/4"?

Kirk runs a 25-gal cell, the largest allowed by typical east coast enduro rules. That gives us a bladder-busting 3-hour endurance. The first hour is stressful, the second hour is endurable, the third hour goes by pretty damn quickly...

The dry break is the larger one, but Cam can verify that (the car is in his shop).

GA

[rsportvolvo]

Thanks for the info!

What's downstream of the discriminator valve on Kirk's setup?

Why did you all go with the discriminator valve vs. a dual red-head setup to vent back to the fuel can?

Also, do you think it's worth the effort to allow the filler to be on either sides base on the pit setup?

[Greg Amy]

What's downstream of the discriminator valve on Kirk's setup?

You mean the check valve at the top of the cell? that hose goes out to the ground below the cell, where we place our drip pan for each stop.

Why did you all go with the discriminator valve vs. a dual red-head setup to vent back to the fuel can?

$$$$$$

Also, do you think it's worth the effort to allow the filler to be on either sides base on the pit setup?

If you're using hand-held cans, probably not; you can just scoot over to the other side. But if you're using an overhead rig, it may be useful. Don't forget if you choose to go with an overhead rig, you'll need another crew member, adorned in fire gear, manning the Dead Man Valve... - GA

[callard]

Back in the day(late '90s) we put two 12 gallon cells with female dry breaks in our IT-B car for the Summit 12 hour and the Moroso 24 hour. We could fuel in under 10 seconds. Rules stated "....fuel cells are recommended." "....fuelers must wear full nomex." We told tech that we thought it meant that we had to have more than one cell and at least two fuelers.
Chuck