Fuel Cell Setup

[DRCAGE]

Hey guys looking for some advice regarding the fuel setup on a Westfield XTR2.

Here is the basics of what I want to do.



EDIT: oops submitted rather than previewed. Rest of post not really ready yet my bad

There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of info in the Blue Book about the fuel setup, it's mainly about the vent and filler etc.
Here is most of it from the Blue Book:

"Tank fillers and caps must not protrude beyond the
bodywork or be situated within the driver/passenger
compartment. The caps must have an efficient locking
action to reduce the risk of opening during an accident
and to ensure closing after refuelling (14.1.2). Air vents
must be at least 25cm to the rear of the cockpit and
must be designed to prevent the escape of fuel should
the vehicle be inverted. It is recommended that a non
return valve is incorporated in the vent system..."

And this bit on the end which I can't tell if I need to worry about:

"The entire fuel tank area ‘Licked by the open air stream’
must incorporate a crushable structure as follows..." Then it goes onto explain basics behind the crushable structure.

The fuel cell must also be in a metal container.

So, main questions are.

1. Is the cell location legal/OK? I cant really tell as far as the rules go, seems to be more about the filler location etc.

2. If the container has a removable lid will the it still count as the driver compartment? "Tank fillers and caps must not be situated within the driver/passenger compartment"

3. Does this count as being "licked by the open air stream"? Its an open car, so I guess it does?

4. Does anyone know of any other cars with the fuel tank in a similar location?

I was hoping to incorporate the ali box into the ali sheet already in the chassis, making it to the cell manufacturer dimensions. The removable lid allowing for refueling etc. I want to go for a returnless setup, with an internal collector,pump,regulator,filter etc.

Edited by DRCAGE on Thursday 22 September 20:04

Edited by DRCAGE on Thursday 22 September 20:04

Edited by DRCAGE on Thursday 22 September 20:30

Edited by DRCAGE on Thursday 22 September 20:41

[Tanuki]

I do know of a car with a similar tank.

It's an Elise-based car - so classed as closed Sports / GT.

The filler is NOT on the tank however. It fills by virtue of connection through to the main tank.

I have no experience of how the 'licked by air' stipulation translates into practicality.

[stevieturbo]

Have to ask.....why would you want the fuel tank directly beside you ? On e heavy left side impact....you're going to need one hell of a cage/structure to prevent that bursting and soaking you with fuel.

[IanUAE]

Will the fuel cell have to be enclosed by an aluminium box with straps (just asking because that is what we have to do when racing with Creventic) and won't that set-up make the left side seat belt fitting / adjustment a pain?

[Graham]

My tuscan is similar. I have an atl cell with internal collectors and prv in the tank, so no return

the cell is mounted in the passenger floor ( separated from me by the transmission tunnel.

the cell is in the atl alloy box and the filler has a spill collector and drain. i have an alloy box mounted on top of the alloy tank cover with a removable top to isolate the filler from the car.

the fuel lines are braided as they run through the inside of the car.


I've past scruit in both the uk and europe with this setup. I'll see if i can gind a pic

[DRCAGE]

Tanuki said:

I do know of a car with a similar tank.

It's an Elise-based car - so classed as closed Sports / GT.

The filler is NOT on the tank however. It fills by virtue of connection through to the main tank.

I have no experience of how the 'licked by air' stipulation translates into practicality.

First off thanks for the replies everyone, just what I was after

Well I've never seen anything like that but makes sense I guess!!

I could have the filler cap on outside of the car, then pipe it into the tank but wanted to avoid this if possible.

Thanks for the info

[DRCAGE]

stevieturbo said:

Have to ask.....why would you want the fuel tank directly beside you ? On e heavy left side impact....you're going to need one hell of a cage/structure to prevent that bursting and soaking you with fuel.

Going by the price of these things I'm hoping bursting wont ever be a problem!

The standard metal tank usually goes behind the seat in the engine bay, but this restricts the exhaust manifold, gets super hot etc.

[DRCAGE]

IanUAE said:

Will the fuel cell have to be enclosed by an aluminium box with straps (just asking because that is what we have to do when racing with Creventic) and won't that set-up make the left side seat belt fitting / adjustment a pain?

Yes I'm sure it will! and the gear linkage needs to go inbetween the tank and the seat as well. It won't be as tight as the picture suggest, nothing is permanently in place yet!

EDIT: And the with the harness I plan to use, the length of the lap belts is set when you wrap the belt into the bracket, so no need for the extra space round the seat when tightening.

Edited by DRCAGE on Friday 23 September 18:17

[DRCAGE]

Graham said:

My tuscan is similar. I have an atl cell with internal collectors and prv in the tank, so no return

the cell is mounted in the passenger floor ( separated from me by the transmission tunnel.

the cell is in the atl alloy box and the filler has a spill collector and drain. i have an alloy box mounted on top of the alloy tank cover with a removable top to isolate the filler from the car.

the fuel lines are braided as they run through the inside of the car.


I've past scruit in both the uk and europe with this setup. I'll see if i can gind a pic

!!!THANK YOU!!!

I should have asked on here ages ago!

If you could find a picture that would be brilliant.

Now I just need to find out if the car being open is a problem or not! Many thanks!