DIY Fuel Transfer Pump for about $60.00

[JoLin]

I know we're beating this to death but I was thinking. Your plan is definitely workable and simple enough.

Here's another idea to make it flow faster if you can get a siphon action. You said that the boat is on a trailer so that should be possible.



The idea is to install a ball valve in parallel with the pump on a much larger line that goes from the tank to the container. Another ball valve could be used near the container to control the flow and reduce spillage. The pump's line can be put into the mainline either by Ts or just drilling holes in the main line and sealing with the proper sealant and taped over. The pump's small line could run down inside the mainline to the end in the tank to facilitate a faster and easier prime. The mainline to the container could be held inside the boat to improve priming then the ball valve at the end could be closed and the one at the pump could be opened before taking the line over the boat to the container.

What do you think? Something more to beat up.:joyous:

Clever idea... and more work, complexity and expense. I could make my assembly much more efficient (I'll say it again for the umpteenth time) by just upgrading the fuel pump. I like it that everybody's 'noodling' this thing. But as I've stated numerous times, my goal was to build myself a simple, cheap way to pump fuel from one place to another that doesn't rely on gravity. Mine uses a $10.00 pump and some hose and clamps. I spiffed it up with a toggle switch, cigarette lighter plug and an adapter so it be clamped to a battery, too. None of those extra is needed, and somebody can essentially put together what I did for about $30.00. I never claimed it was 'professional grade', but it works. I shared it because I thought somebody might find the idea useful.

With all due respect to everyone on this thread, aside from your idea, nothing has been presented that I haven't already either used (like the super siphon) or considered. The only thing I haven't mentioned with respect to 'drill pumps' is that I haven't seen any that specifically state they're safe to use with gasoline. Since it'd be a natural for that purpose, I think it's significant that the manufacturers don't include 'gasoline' in the list of things it'll pump. I'll pass.

My idea isn't for everyone but it'll do what I need it to do.

 

[gm280]

JoLin, I wouldn't worry about it. I am surprised as well of the number of responses you've received on this. Obviously what you selected will work. In fact that is basically a normal fuel pump for mid-sized engines. So it wasn't designed for fuel transfer and that is the reason it draws so little current and not much in the GPH efforts. So do your thing and have fun. It will work. And actually thanks for the post. It did get attention and comments. :thumb:

 

[JoLin]

The number of responses surprised me too. I think it's a subject that many here have to deal with, and that prompted everybody to either share their own methods or put on their thinking caps. Ya can't consider that a bad thing.

I probably should have saved it for February, though- we have a long winter ahead and I don't have any more great ideas in the hopper... :facepalm:

 

[bruceb58]

I think it was a great idea too. Glad you posted.

 

[GA_Boater]

I probably should have saved it for February, though- we have a long winter ahead and I don't have any more great ideas in the hopper... :facepalm:

You can let us know how well it worked when you get to the boat. Sometimes you don't need a lot of speed, just reliability and I think you have that.