where to buy gravity fed eq

MikePA · May 26, 2005

Why not put the drum below and fill it from above? 
Do you mean;
1. Put the 55 gallon drum on the dock
2. Run the 100' of hose up to the top of the hill
3. Pour the gasoline in the open end of the hose

Moon · May 26, 2005

( Why not put the drum below and fill it from above?
Do you mean;
1. Put the 55 gallon drum on the dock
2. Run the 100' of hose up to the top of the hill
3. Pour the gasoline in the open end of the hose

)

LB: makes no sense to me either. I do not plan to keep any fuel under pressure. It will simply be poured into a container at the top of the steps and run to the boat below via the hose. Putting the 55 gallon drum way down line kinda defeats the purpose.

Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

Scrounger · May 26, 2005

Drum at top or drum at bottom sounds like a disaster waiting to happen to me. Someone is going to forget to shut off the hose or mix diesel with gasoline. That much hose is going to have a fair amount of fuel in it and that will get spilled.

I would think of a ramp-evator and electric winch and just raise and lower the fuel cans on the inclined elevator. Something like this. http://tinyurl.com/bcn37 You can build a cheap version yourself. I did one at a lake cabin years ago. It will also be good for moving supplies up and down the hill.

Put a key operated switch on it so only the 'authorized' few can use it.

Moon · May 27, 2005

( Drum at top or drum at bottom sounds like a disaster waiting to happen to me. Someone is going to forget to shut off the hose or mix diesel with gasoline. That much hose is going to have a fair amount of fuel in it and that will get spilled. )

Thanks for your comments and suggestion. One of those lifts would cost alot more than I'm intersted in putting into this project. I've refueled from the 5 gallon containers and normally have a drip or a leak in at least one of the cans right at the base of the nozzel. I think a better quality hose would help avoid spills. I am planning a saftey nozzle at the bottom so that it can't be left on by mistake ...just like the gas stations use. I've recently found these available and within the price range thanks to a tip from another TBN member.

None of our boats use diesel and there is no diesel close by so I don't think mixing them up would be an issue.

Thanks for your thoughts on this project.

Moon of Ohio

thcri · May 27, 2005

In one of the harbors that I am familiar with and have docked at the local guy use to come down with his truck and he had a long hose and would fill people up until the EPA got a hold of him and put a stop to it. He would sit his truck up on the bank and fill the boats up. Well I am sure the marina had a lot to do with stopping him as it was sales he was losing.

I guess your system is a good idea but if you had a major leak you could end up with a major fine. But no matter how you spill you could end up with a fine.

Check this unit out. It is expensive at this place but if you shop around you might find one a lot cheaper but this unit would give you 28 gals. If all of you chip in maybe not so expensive. But in your case you would have to make two trips.

Fuel Tank Marine

murph

Moon · May 31, 2005

Thanks for the pointer murph!

If we had more conventional sized stairs and ramps that might work, but as we are now I'd have to modify it to add larger wheels to traverse the steps and ramps I cross to get down to the boats.

The marina that used to sell gas is now trying to make his setup legal so that he can sell gas later on this year. So right now I'm up in the air as to whether or not I'll proceed with this project. We carried the fuel to the boat in 5 gallon cans this past holiday weekend. I found if I gassed up every other day, rather than wait until I was below half a tank, I only needed 15 er 20 gallons. Not to bad hauling 4 containers down to the docks.

Thanks all!

Moon · Jun 22, 2005

Update: Thanks to a fellow TBN member I got a good deal on the fuel line and nozzle for my setup. (Thanks Tom!) I now have it up and working with a couple changes to my original idea.
I used the KISS principle and eliminated the 55 gallon drum from the project. I carry the 5 gallon cans to the fuel hose, and pour directly into the hose. Wife &/or son man the nozzle down at the boat. Works like a charm. I don't have to haul four gas cans up and down the stairs!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The line is capped at both ends after use.
Thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions on this.