REVIEW: Jersey Modeler RC Fueling Systems

Well I seem to have a passion for collecting things in the various hobbies I have.  In RC Helis I collect fueling systems, canopies and starters.  Not sure what my obsession with support equipment is but I don’t think that there is enough quality and attention is directed to these products.

I have always hated with a passion electric fuel pumps…and MOST hand hand pumps as well for nitro fuel.  I have NEVER had and electric or gasoline pump that hasn’t gumed up, handle broke or just plain didn’t work.  Slimline and Sullivan seem to be on the cuttin edge of making these products better but a new player in the field is evolving, Jersey Modeler.

I contacted them because I knew of another helicopter pilot who used their 2.5 gallon electric system so I called and ordered one.  Since I absolutely hate electric fuel pump system I opted for the 2.5 gallon MANUAL PUMP system.  The salesperson talked me into getting the electric system (a smaller one…the 1.3 gallon) for special price so I thought I would try it to see if they could change my mind about electric pump systems.

They asked my which radio system I owned as the pump didn’t include a charger but I could use my transmtter charger to charge it.

The pilot that I knew who owned their 2.5 gallon electric system had made some modifications to the battey system that I will address later.

I received the system exactly as described and very fast shipping via UPS ground.  I believe it was shipped the same day that I made the purchase which was great.  I think the only issue was that the FUNNEL was missing which wasn’t a really big deal but some picky buyer might have been disappointed about that.   I am sure that if I would have contacted them they would have sent me a funnel but I just picked one up from the local dollar store for $.99.

I charged the battery as instructed for about 24 hours using my Futaba Transmitter charger.

While at home I tested the pump fueling and defueling once.  Seemed to fill the Align T-Rex 700 quickly but the defuel was VERY slow.  I could already tell after the first defuel that the batteries were sounding weak.  I openened up the pump housing and found a 9.6v 1100mah Nicad pack with a Tamiya plug.  Very neat and VERY heavy duty wiring.  I was impressed with the quality if the battery/switch housing.

I placed the battery back on the charger overnight and went out for a field test the next day.

I flew a few flights filling normally pumping fine but after about the third tank I realized the 1.3 gallon tank was too small for a .90 flyer as its empty in about 1 day of flying….and secondly the 9.6v 1100mah battery was this units downfall.

I went home and replaced the 9.6v 1100mah battery with a 12v 2200mah lipo battery and Sunday I did 10 tanks with two complete defuels without a bit of slowing.  

MAJOR NOTE.  Use of this pump on helicopters running the sponge fuel magnets will kill your battery very quickly.  This is mostly a concern while defauling.  Seems that the sponge gets sucked into the fuel line and significantly slows down the defeul rate to a trickle.  A normal fuel clunk defuels as fast as it fuels.

Pros:

1. Many accessories
2. Heavy duty wiring
3. Transmitter charger dual use as pump charger
4. Fast shipping and good customer service
5. Include spill tray and funnel are great touches
6. The included HAND pump is great when the 1100 9.6 dies