Anyone using Northern's "Cheap" 12 VLT Transfer Pump?

[IslandTractor]

Maybe you could find a pump that will pump air, then it won't need a prime. Self priming.

The pump the OP is looking at is actually self priming. I have one.

 

[LBrown59]

#Northern Industrial Diesel Fuel Transfer Pump 12 Volt DC, 10.5 GPM, Model# DPD045A

*It is on sale ($40.00 off) and I was going to use this to pump diesel from a 55 Gallon drum on a trailer into a 55 gallon storage drum at the farm. So it would only get used a few times a year. The reviews are OK..
My question for anyone using one of these models:
1* Do you really have to pour diesel fuel into the pump to prime it before using it like tha manual indicates? If so-I think I'll pass.
2*The manual says: Before connecting the delivery tube, partially fill the pump body with diesel fuel to facilitate priming.
3*Once I had the 13 foot rubber hose cut and mounted-I'd hate to have to siphon fuel, take off the hose just to get the pump to work every time??
Thanks

*Here is my fueling station that i built using that pump.
Been using it flawlessly since 2007 .:thumbsup:

1*Nope.
2*The manual is incorrect.
3*No need to do that.

That looks like the one I bought from them last year. I haven't had to prime the pump before use. Other than the hose not being long enough for my use (I bought more), the pump is adequate for my use.
1*I usually power it with a charger rather than a battery.

1* This is the charger i use.
The great thing about that is I get some use out of the charger instead of having it setting around wating on a dead battery to charge or jump.

Out here by where I work there is an auction place that has all sorts of neat toys. Right now there is an auction for a group of 4 of these units. I forget when this auction ends but if you Google "bidadoo" and look for auctions here in Seattle you should find them.
1*I am think about bidding for the package and selling off the other 3 if the price is right.

1*Unless you can get a really good price on them you can build a storage system with more features and funtions for about the same or less money 3
Those units are designed for transfering fuel not for storing it.

The pump the OP is looking at is actually self priming. I have one.

You are correct as I have one also.

 

[LBrown59]

1* Can't store it in the empty drum either because at some point, I will be hauling the empty drum to the fuel depot for a refill.
2*Heck-I just might get an old fashioned, self priming hand pump-a quaility one for around the same price..

1*That's a cheap an easy fix.
Here is my fuel storage drums.

and my fuel hauling drum.
2*That's a bad choice .
Why get less pump for the money?
The big draw back with the hand crank pumps is you can't be in 2 places at the same time so you can see waht's going on .

It's a little more money, $199 (maybe you could find it cheaper elsewhere) but
3*the Tuthill version of that pump includes a telescoping steel tube for the drum.

3*How does the steel seal against the drum where it enters the top of the drum?