Alternate SCCA approved fuel cell manufacturers
The first manufacturer has been put on the SCCA list of alternative fuel cell suppliers. You can see the official list at http://www.scca.com/documents/Club%2...0Suppliers.pdf
Eagle really only deals with bladders and not containers. For formula and sports racing cars, that is all that is needed. For production based cars, Eagle will only be of help if you are looking for a replacement bladder for an existing cell. Eagle has said that if there was sufficient demand for full cells for production based cars, they might consider making them.
Dave
P.S. There are a couple of other companies we are hoping to hear from, but we haven't yet.
Plastic cell legal in CASC
FYI, the plastic cell by jazz in the previous post covered in aluminium is legal in Canada racing with CASC.
I have seen some in cars that crashed and rolled several times. No damage to the plastic cell at all. They don't degrade over time. Larger top makes it easy to replace foam inside cell/tank.
I understand they are still allowed to use Aluminium tanks in Australia.
Dan
New, better, stronger, longer lasting materials?
I don't have proof, but a strong hunch that my cell failed because I had been using pump gas. (One of the attractions of the FB class was much lower fuel costs). I've since read that many metropoliton areas have ethanol blends, and our fuel cell bladders were never meant to stand up to that.
Let's ask these new approved manufacturers if the materials they use are different/better in this regard. That might make a big difference in which one I choose, and perhaps how long it will last.
Just something to think about ...
I'll send a question to Eagle.
and then there is........
the Fuel Safe "Enduro" with can which is a FIA Ft-3 approved cell that is 30% less in cost than the Sportsman soft bladdered cell. The Enduro is a "hard rubber" bladder and comes in off the shelf sizes for Prod cars etc 5 to 32 gallons. It looks like the roto molded Jaz and other plastic cells that are a lot cheaper. Whether it is the same "plastic" material of the cheapies I dont know.
Then F.S. also has the same red Enduro cell in BLACK and they call it the "Race Safe Racing Cell" that does NOT have FIA certs but is identical in every respect to the red Endro model BUT does not have certs. These are 15% less in cost than the Enduro.
In above posts it has been said that most if not all problems (read fires/leaks) come from OTHER than the cell. Absolutely correct.
Certainly FS/ATL can invest in tooling for two or three wedge or small cells, get approval and sell them for a LOT less than the going custom rate. A few sizes wont fit everyone but will fit a lot. Companies like Jaz could get FIA certs but from what I understand it is not a cheap nor easy procedure. Knowing them they also dont care, and in FS/ATL's case they have the market pretty well ties up on customs but as other custom builders come on line will have some competition.