PRESSURE BLADDERS
Click on any picture below for a closer look.
This shows the complete bladder system made up of the below components
We sell all the items you need to make your own pressure bladders. Not only is this a low cost way to have the advantages of pressure feed to your engine, and thus a smooth running motor during the power phase, but the bladders are also superior in many ways to the older pacifiers and pen bladders. These very lightweight units consist of a reusable precision-made fuelproof polypropylene fitting used with special thin-wall latex tubing. They are suitable for 1/2A and up. A complete system weighs only 1.1 grams. Pressure is very consistent compared to a pacifier. With many years of field use experience, there is no better or lower cost solution to a reliable pressure feed. Fittings and tubing are sold separately.
A very nice one-way Check Valve that makes using a pressure bladder much easier is also available. In use, the valve is installed in place of a knot at the back end of the tubing. Instead of pulling the fuel line off the engine to refuel, you simply push it in through the valve. No need to fuss with clamps and opening the pinchoff to add fuel. The added weight is only 0.4 grams, and like the fitting, it is reusable for many years. The valves are tested at bladder pressure for no leaks. For glow fuel only. If you have never tried this technique, you should. You will like it.
BLADDER FITTING
A lightweight and reusable precision-made fuel proof polypropylene fitting for use with our special thin-wall latex bladder tubing. Unlike auto store vacuum fittings, there is no mold flash to shave off to get a good fit. The fitting can also be used with pacifiers, pen bladders or with balloon fuel tanks as a convenient way to attach them to your fuel line.
TEE FITTING
This is a very useful item as it allows you to use the Check Valve with the bladder so that the bladder can be installed inside the fuselage (or engine pod on high thrust models). In addition, it protects you from loss of the check valve in the event of a bladder rupture as the check valve is in the fuel line run which is not subject to loss. It is a precision nylon part, with no mold flash to remove. The patented barb design provides a secure grip to your fuel line, and it does not need to be tied when used with our small fuel line. It will last a very long time. If you click on the image above, you will see a large picture of the complete assembly and a typical installation. This neat idea was suggested to us by Gene Christensen in IL
BLADDER TUBING
This thin wall latex tubing makes a great pressure bladder A complete bladder using this tubing and the fitting we sell is very lightweight, only 1.1 grams. Pressure is very consistent compared to a pacifier. With over ten years of field use experience, there is no better or lower cost solution to a reliable pressure feed. Fittings, check valves, and tubing are sold separately so you can purchase only what you need.
We have added a second size of bladder tubing. So, you can pick what is best for your needs. See a bladder made with this new larger size by clicking Here.
CHECK VALVE
A very nice one-way Check Valve that makes using a pressure bladder much easier is also available. In use, the valve is installed in place of a knot at the back end of the tubing. Instead of pulling the fuel line off the engine to refuel, you simply push it in through the valve. No need to fuss with clamps and opening the pinchoff to add fuel. The added weight is only 0.4 grams, and like the fitting, it is reusable for many years. The valves are tested at bladder pressure for no leaks. For glow fuel only. If you have never tried this technique, you should. You will like it. The valve can be installed at the back end of the pressure bladder instead of a knot, or installed at the front using the above tee fitting.
SYRINGE FITTING FOR
TUBING
The standard syringe or hypodermic has a twist lock fitting (called a Luer) on it to engage with a needle or one of the other medical connections. It can be hard to use the syringe with a piece of fuel line or tubing. This fitting is the answer. It mates up with standard connection and gives you a reliable barbed fitting that will work with all the the fuel lines and tubing we use in free flight. Click on the above image to see if your syringe has this connection and to see what the fitting looks like on it.