Diesel Storage.. for generatror... is this a good method?

[gogojuice]

So Im feeling comfortable getting a barrel. Any problem getting a plastic one? Are there pros or cons.
This was the plastic one
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-buy-sell-oth...ion/415745984?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

As for transfer pumps.. What would you recommend then?

 

[PILOON]

No problem with plastic, I have used mine for 12 years now.
If you get the kind with a removable lid you can bore out a hole near the bottom and install a tap for gravity feed.
On some of the sealed top types a few have a bung that accepts a standard pipe thread that allows you to thread in a tap, however that style will oblige you to fabricate a cradle as the barrel would be on its side.
\The other option is standard barrel installed vertically but that will require a transfer pump of some kind.
In my case I have a nice 20 gal squarish drum that I mount on a cart.
20 gals is about my winter consumption for snow duties. I use a 12 volt automobile booster in line pump as my power source.
Earlier on I had a small crank type pump but that gave up the ghost.(and they run close to $100.)

PS, they show 25 gal and offer service. Have them install a tap near bottom (about 2" high to create a sump for debris, etc)

 

[gogojuice]

Thanks,

I'll grab a dark color plastic one. Seems they are more readily available around me. I will keep it vertical.

Now I just need to figure out the transfer method.

Any suggestions?

 

[4570Man]

I'd feel better with a metal one. It wouldn't take much of a fire to melt a plastic barrel and then you'd have a really big fire.

 

[TheMan419]

Thanks,

I'll grab a dark color plastic one. Seems they are more readily available around me. I will keep it vertical.

Now I just need to figure out the transfer method.

Any suggestions?

Depends on if you want to go electric or hand pump. Here is a hand pump that looks like it would be an easy fit to your application.

Polypropylene Hand Transfer Pump | Agri Supply

 

[gogojuice]

TheMan419.

Thanks for the info. This might be hard to quantify / answer... but how much fluid comes out per pump? Is this something that is going to take all day to fill the tractor? (my tractor has a 6.6 gal tank)

Thanks

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have been using a Fillrite 12V 15GPM pump for the last 7 years with absolutely no problems. I have it on a 100gallon steel tank and use a small automotive 12v battery to power it. I keep it charged using a battery minder. I plumbed the pump to use a 5 micron inline filter just in case I get some debris in my tank. I don't have gelling issues down here in Arkansas and I don't use any additives at all in my tank. I think most of them are just snake oil similar to the old STP oil treatments that were finally proved to be detrimental rather than helpful. Anti-gel agents likely work for semi-cold areas but for the -40 temps in Canada, winter blend is your friend. I worked in Ft. McMurray Alberta Canada for 5 years and never saw anyone putting anti-gel additive in their diesel while there and no issue with gelling. The Canadian winter blend seemed to be all that was needed.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If I were to use a hand pump, I would go with a steel drum simple because the top is stiffer and will handle the constant flexing with the pump better than the plastic.
The 12v Fillrite pumps might bust your budget since they quite expensive but around here they frequently come up on Craigslist with a tank. I bought 2 -100 gallon tanks (one for my brother in law) and both had 12V Fillrite pumps for $300 and $350 respectively which is about the cost of a new pump so the tanks were basically free. So far no problems with either in over 7 years of ownership. I put steel swivel caster wheels on my tank so I can roll it around in my shop if needed. They work great. I wasn't sure that the rubber coated ones would stand up to the weight without having flat spots develop.

 

[George2615]

The pump in the last post pumps 12 oz. per pump. Would take approx. 5 pumps per gallon or 30 pumps for about 6 gallons.
For many years I used a 17 gallon white plastic drum in my garage for tractor diesel fuel. I bought and used a universal 12V electric fuel pump from an auto parts store. It would fill my 8 gallon tank in about 3 minutes. I also used Power Service white bottle. Using the white plastic also let me see through to the fuel level remaining in the tank.
I've since gone to a 275 gallon tank outside with a 12V roughneck pump ( $160.) from Northerntool that pumps 8 GPM. I still use power service year round. I have the home heating oil company put 100 gal. in it when they come to fill the HHO tank.

 

[holeycow]

Manual pumps work fine. I would rather not have any electricity.

Farm tanks are elevated. Gravity. Barrel uses manual pump. Bacon and eggs and potatoes.

PS, 6 gallons is very little. That would be less than a minute with my manual pump. Probably about 30-45 seconds. I really don't know as I normally pump far more than that when I use a barrel and it doesn't seem to take very long.