Building a fill station

[LarryD]

That happened one time when someone else tried to fill the caddy and did not have the quick coupler fully inserted and turned on the pump to fill the fuel caddy. The result was the pump and hose did not burst or blow a seal but since the pump could not turn (deadheaded) the motor burned up and I got called in to replace it.

As long as you have your hand on the switch to turn off the pump when your tractor or portable fuel tank is full I don't think you'll need a relief. We've been running this setup the past eighteen years and and its only cost us one motor so far.

Thanks George,
That tank looks exactly like the Pryco tank I have. Must have come from the same factory.

I've got almost everything plumbed and the tank has been pressure washed inside. I don't want to rely on getting to the switch as a control means should something go wrong. I am going to the auto parts store tonight to look at fuel pressure switches. I figure I'll tee off the discharge side of the pump and wire that to the relay. It looks like I can get those in a pretty low pressure rating so it wont put an excessive load on the motor when fuel is not flowing.

Once I get the filter/water separator installed I'll post pictures of the whole thing. The CFO still shakes her head and mumbles comments like "boys and their toys" but this is way more fun that 5gl cans.

 

[George2615]

You could also use a remote start button and say a 12' cord with a momentary contact switch wired to the motor that would reach as far as your fill hose. Just hold the button to start your fill and let go to shut it off.

FYI, the original day tank we had looked just like yours. The one you see in my pics is basically the same tank but now due to EPA / DEC regulations has to have a built in spill container which you see at the bottom in pics 3 and 6. That is why we had to replace our day tank a few years back.

 

[LBrown59]

" but this is way more fun that 5gl cans.

So is this.

 

[LarryD]

Actually Mr. Brown, my day job as a PM for an electrical contractor has me involved with another fuel storage/pumping project.

Talk about having a lifetime supply for the tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

Actually Mr. Brown, my day job as a PM for an electrical contractor has me involved with another fuel storage/pumping project.

Talk about having a lifetime supply for the tractor.

I must say this a bit more elaborate than what I need.

 

[schmism]

my biggest question on reverseing that setup.

is the pump a self priming suction pump.

if not your kinda SOL for getting it to suck fuel out of the tank instead of put fuel in the tank.

In George's setup at work its likely that the pump has fuel on the "back side" all the time so there really is no suction priming issues.

This is why most people use a sealed container and air hose to generate pressure on the inside to force the fuel out of the "suction" hose.

Personally i would forgo all the complicated electronic floats, motors etc and simply seal the metal can and add a chuck for an air hose and go that route. No pumps to maintain and no sparky sparky.

 

[LarryD]

Steve,

It is a rotary gear pump and the literature says it can lift liquids 20'. Since I'm only lifting 30" it pumped the water pretty quickly. It does recommend a foot valve to help prevent the pump from running dry initialy but my test run had fluid moving within 10 seconds, I think that will be alright.

As for making this a pressure vessel, I don't believe its constructed to those kind of standards. It's fairly light, listed at 197lb. It also has 8" inspection plate (formerly held the floats) on top that I used to clean the tank out. It has a gasket but that also doesn't look like it would hold any pressure.

I've got my pressure switch so I'll start the final assembly. My other problem is the remaining water in the tank. It's got a drain but the current temps just are not letting it dry out. I think I'll lay it on its side and have a little heater I've got blow in some warmer air.

 

[WilliamBos]

Make welfare as hard to get as a building permit

I love it. Totally Priceless.

 

[LarryD]

I can't take credit for my signature line since I saw it on a truck belonging to a general contractor I know...but I sure champion its message.

 

[Bedlam]

BobRip thanks for that explanation of the motor It was right to the point and understandable.Might I add That i learned about this type of motor when I used too large a pulley for my blower on one, It ran, but took awhile to do the switching part, which eventually urned into a smoke show, of cource the blower continued to flow the smoke through the house.
I sure cant fault the HF motor for this mistake. It clearly was mine.Apparently the pulley has to be sized so that the starter winding doesn't run long.