55 gallon barrel fuel station questions

[Kl3640]

Hi, reviving this thread. I’m a newbie and want to make a 55 gallon drum in to a fuel transfer station. I’ve found both electric and manual pumps that will work with GASOLINE. Yes my application is gasoline not diesel. Further more it’s not regular automotive gas, rather it’s 100LL avgas. It will be stored indoors but will spend some time outside.

My questions are:

1) What’s the best type of drum to get? The stainless ones seem obvious but they’re prohibitively expensive. What’s a good alternative that’s more reasonably priced? I don’t think plastic will support the pump assembly until it’s very heavy gauge plastic.
2) How does one fill it when the pump is installed? Will a smaller gas pump nozzle fit in the smaller hole that’s standard?
3) Do the pumps self vent? Otherwise does the smaller hole need to be opened when pumping?
4) What’s the best way to relieve pressure during temperature changes? Is there some kind of pressure valve that can be installed? I’m not keen on leaving it open for obvious reasons.
5) Any clever ways to check the fuel level? Or just a home made dipstick through the smaller hole?
6) I’m thinking about getting one of the dollys that’s specifically for 55 gallon drums. Does anybody here have experience with those?
7) The cheap Chinese kind you can buy on Amazon for $300 (35 gallon kind) seem ok but the reviews indicated that they have a lot of problems. They’re also manual pumps which makes single user operation more challenging for my application.

Thanks!!!

 

[RjCorazza]

My questions are:

1) What’s the best type of drum to get? The stainless ones seem obvious but they’re prohibitively expensive. What’s a good alternative that’s more reasonably priced? I don’t think plastic will support the pump assembly until it’s very heavy gauge plastic.
2) How does one fill it when the pump is installed? Will a smaller gas pump nozzle fit in the smaller hole that’s standard?
3) Do the pumps self vent? Otherwise does the smaller hole need to be opened when pumping?
4) What’s the best way to relieve pressure during temperature changes? Is there some kind of pressure valve that can be installed? I’m not keen on leaving it open for obvious reasons.
5) Any clever ways to check the fuel level? Or just a home made dipstick through the smaller hole?
6) I’m thinking about getting one of the dollys that’s specifically for 55 gallon drums. Does anybody here have experience with those?
7) The cheap Chinese kind you can buy on Amazon for $300 (35 gallon kind) seem ok but the reviews indicated that they have a lot of problems. They’re also manual pumps which makes single user operation more challenging for my application.

Thanks!!!

1) My gasoline drum (soon to be diesel drum) is steel with some type of painted lining. It has been fine for the past 20 years or so.
I have temporarily used plastic drums for some diesel that I acquired for free, and yes, they don't do so well with the weight of a pump.
2) I fill through the small threaded port with a large funnel
3) I assume the pump does vent while pumping. I have never vented the drum while pumping, and don't notice a vacuum that has any consequence.
4) I do not vent my drum, as it is stored in a shed and not exposed to drastic temperature swings.
5) I have a chart and 1/2" PVC pipe that I stick the drum with.
6) Harbour Freight makes a drum Dollie that I use. I also have a scissor type grabber, but rarely use it.
7) I like to buy reasonable quality tools and gear. I have a GPI manual pump and an auto shutoff nozzle, which have been very reliable and easy enough to use.

 

[10backacres]

Biggest thing you should know is unless you're going to have someone deliver or know someone with a truck tank our state laws in WA.(maybe in OR) limit you to 6 gallon containers...So I have to fill 2-3 5 galllon diesel tanks at Costco ( cheapest top- tier fuel in my area) and dump them into my drum, or go to a fuel dealer and he'll sell you a 55gal drum full you can take home with a drum deposit then when you need to you take the empty back and get a new full drum I use forks on FEL to move a drum off of the Pickup Currently I have a 12volt pump mounted on my diesel drum; hooks up to tractor battery to refuel. you can get a hand pump. It depends on how much work you're doing with your equipment. I do about 100hrs per year so a 55 gal drum lasts 8-9 months. Av gas is way more flammable then diesel!

 

[nyone]

I have found that VP racing(old fuel drums) where alot thicker than old oil drums. I would never use plastic and any one of them need to be vented.

Durring the low home heating oil prices about a year ago I decided it was time to fill my spare 275gal oil tank. It should last about 5yrs. Its treated with anti algee additive.

 

[Kl3640]

1) My gasoline drum (soon to be diesel drum) is steel with some type of painted lining. It has been fine for the past 20 years or so.
I have temporarily used plastic drums for some diesel that I acquired for free, and yes, they don't do so well with the weight of a pump.
2) I fill through the small threaded port with a large funnel
3) I assume the pump does vent while pumping. I have never vented the drum while pumping, and don't notice a vacuum that has any consequence.
4) I do not vent my drum, as it is stored in a shed and not exposed to drastic temperature swings.
5) I have a chart and 1/2" PVC pipe that I stick the drum with.
6) Harbour Freight makes a drum Dollie that I use. I also have a scissor type grabber, but rarely use it.
7) I like to buy reasonable quality tools and gear. I have a GPI manual pump and an auto shutoff nozzle, which have been very reliable and easy enough to use.

Thank you!!!

Ive found used stainless drums at much more reasonable prices so I’ll likely go that route unless one of my racing buddies can get me a VP drum.

 

[nyone]

I'm not sure how much your paying for a SS drum but if it's a few hundred dollars I would just get a tank for in the back of a truck. I got my barrels for free or $10 and a hand crank Agway pump for $50. If i had to pay serious money i would just get a real tank and pump.

 

[Texasmark]

If you are going to transport your fuel from a fueling station to your home/farm, it needs to be DOT approved. You sure don't want to spill 50 gallons of diesel somewhere due to a ruptured plastic barrel. You can pick up a 55 gallon transfer tank from Tractor Supply for less than $300. I see them frequently on craigs list for much less.

Not necessarily....read the rules. 3 cans at 50 gallons per, come in under the DOT Plackarding requirement!!!!! I earned the Haz-Mat and Tanker Endorsements to my Class A CDL so I was aware of plackarding requirements back when I had an 18 wheel rock bucket.

 

[Texasmark]

Totally sealed works fine if the barrel is full, as even 55gal in a 55gal drum has an inch or so of head space. But be careful about sealing tight a partial filled drum....this is what happens when the weather turns cold ! (I'd imagine it's also quite possible to go the other way if sealed when cold and then the weather turns hot.)

There is another way you can do that too......forget to pop the vent plug and start filling your tractor. Depending on the amount of fuel in the tank, you can do that too....Daaaaaaaaa!!!!! But I just did it recently and I have been running my fuel supply this way for probably 30 years. I did manage to get the can straighten back out for the most part.

 

[Kl3640]

I'm not sure how much your paying for a SS drum but if it's a few hundred dollars I would just get a tank for in the back of a truck. I got my barrels for free or $10 and a hand crank Agway pump for $50. If i had to pay serious money i would just get a real tank and pump.

What’s a real tank and pump? All I see are the cheap ones on Amazon, and they look like crap and have manual pumps only. The bigger nicer ones are thousands of dollars.

 

[Kl3640]

Biggest thing you should know is unless you're going to have someone deliver or know someone with a truck tank our state laws in WA.(maybe in OR) limit you to 6 gallon containers...So I have to fill 2-3 5 galllon diesel tanks at Costco ( cheapest top- tier fuel in my area) and dump them into my drum, or go to a fuel dealer and he'll sell you a 55gal drum full you can take home with a drum deposit then when you need to you take the empty back and get a new full drum I use forks on FEL to move a drum off of the Pickup Currently I have a 12volt pump mounted on my diesel drum; hooks up to tractor battery to refuel. you can get a hand pump. It depends on how much work you're doing with your equipment. I do about 100hrs per year so a 55 gal drum lasts 8-9 months. Av gas is way more flammable then diesel!

Thanks. I have access to a pump or fuel truck to refill the drum.