Using Jerry Cans

neilb · 12 September 2007, 08:44

To avoid paying the extortionately high fuel prices in the solent I have 3 * 20 ltr jerry cans that I use to fill up from the garage. The down side is that it takes around 5 minutes a can to empty into the boat using a flexible pouring spout connected to the can. It takes so long due to the fact that it has trouble getting air into the can to let the fuel out.

Is there a technique to allow a better fuel flow out of the can? Is there a special high speed nozzel that will allow me to empty the jerry can alot quicker and allow air to get into the can at the same time as fuel comes out?

Any help/experience would be appreciated.

Thanks

Neil

Pete7 · 12 September 2007, 08:57

Don't let the jerry can "gulp" air it should flow. Always kept the spout upper most with the can horizontal, a "wee JW type" drawing might be more useful.

Also have a spout which fits jerry cans but can't remember if it has an extra slot to allow air back in. Will have a look tomorrow if I can find it.

Simon B · 12 September 2007, 08:58

Get a big funnel (opening, not spout diameter) especially one with a filter jerries usually start making all kinds of crap after a while usually paint flakes. rig it so it it's held in position (bungee or assistant) pour the fuel out of the jerry with the can on its side with the outlet on the top "side" i.e. the flatest largest sides in horizontal plane.

This is the fastest way to get the fuel out normally. You can get stainless jerries but a small one is £50.

davetpk · 12 September 2007, 08:59

I bought a couple of 25 litres plastic fuel jerry cans from

Dunstable Sports Boats
23-25 West St
Dunstable LU6 1SL
Tel. 01582 662566

These have both a pouring spout with a plastic mesh filter insert but also a screw cap at the other end of the top of the can to allow air to enter the can while fuel empties out the spout. I prefer the plastic cans as there is no chance of internal rust getting in the fuel. I put a large fuel funnel with mesh filter in the hole for the tank and it is the rate that this can dispense in to the tank that slows me up rather than the rate I can get the fuel out of the jerry can !

I did buy these quite a few years ago though so not sure if he shop still stocks them.

Dave

Simon B · 12 September 2007, 09:02

Just as Pete7 describes but without a spout. Found the stainless jerries, 20l is £82 they look jolly smart, also found baby stainless steel jerries in hip flask format - cool need one for me rum - Either Woods or Wray and Nephew.

v666 · 12 September 2007, 09:58

I bought my cans from John Craddock and a spout as in pic below. It has an air inlet and the 20L goes in in about 90 seconds at a guess.

Tim

neilb · 12 September 2007, 10:21

Tim

This nozzel looks the buisness and just what I am looking for. It looks like it has a vent to allow the air in. I will check out the website tonight. How much was it?

Thanks

Neil

Neal · 12 September 2007, 11:12

We use a tube that i got at the boat show called a something syphon cant remember the name

but they have been talked about on here. Try a search i think they work well.
May not be as fast as some of the above but i think i spill less and dont have to hold can while filling the tank.

mark-f · 12 September 2007, 11:16

I also use jerry cans and use the large syphon from these people.

http://www.superpump.com/

very quick with no mess, and I think there is a thread on here from some time ago on this subject.

regards

Mark

Neal · 12 September 2007, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark-f

I also use jerry cans and use the large syphon from these people.

http://www.superpump.com/

very quick with no mess, and I think there is a thread on here from some time ago on this subject.

regards

Mark

"That's the one"

BogMonster · 12 September 2007, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark-f

I also use jerry cans and use the large syphon from these people.

http://www.superpump.com/

very quick with no mess, and I think there is a thread on here from some time ago on this subject.

regards

Mark

I use plastic cans and a similar thing I got from Mailspeed Marine, takes a while (could do with a bigger one) but works fine and no spillage which is the important thing

v666 · 12 September 2007, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilb

Tim

This nozzel looks the buisness and just what I am looking for. It looks like it has a vent to allow the air in. I will check out the website tonight. How much was it?

Thanks

Neil

It was £6.95. worth every penny, much easier than a syphon.

It has a hole in the lid bit that allows air into that long thin pipe.

Tim

v666 · 12 September 2007, 11:45

I also have one of those superpump things. Cost less than a tenner at the boat show.

Problem is to use it the jerry can has to be held up as my filler is quite high up on the side of the consoul.

prairie tuber · 12 September 2007, 14:34

I've had a couple of the older metal military jerry cans, which were really solid units, but found as mentioned previously, that they tend to corrode in their interior. Using a mesh screen filter may eliminate the flakes, but the corrosion still fouls the fuel somewhat.

The newer heavy plastic military jerry cans that NATO currently uses as its standard have several advantages over the older metal military jerry cans as well as the cheaper thin plastic ones that are typically out there;

http://www.sceptermilitary.com/fuel_containers/

You can choose from a variety of spout & suction hose type attachments as well;

http://www.sceptermilitary.com/fuel_...ssories_parts/

Another option are fuel bladders but they are incredibly expensive.

Nasher · 12 September 2007, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon B

, also found baby stainless steel jerries in hip flask format - cool need one for me rum - Either Woods or Wray and Nephew.

Can I have a link please, sounds like a good idea.

Nasher

martini · 12 September 2007, 16:22

I used to use those yellow 25 litre plastic cans that commercial quantities of engine oil come in. To transfer I had a 12 volt inline pump that I plugged in to a socket on the console and stuck the pump in the can. It would empty the 25 litres in about 2 minutes without a drop spilt or an ounce of energy used!

See pump here

jyasaki · 12 September 2007, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

To transfer I had a 12 volt inline pump that I plugged in to a socket on the console and stuck the pump in the can. It would empty the 25 litres in about 2 minutes without a drop spilt or an ounce of energy used!

An electric pump that doesn't use energy?

jky

BogMonster · 12 September 2007, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

I used to use those yellow 25 litre plastic cans that commercial quantities of engine oil come in. To transfer I had a 12 volt inline pump that I plugged in to a socket on the console and stuck the pump in the can. It would empty the 25 litres in about 2 minutes without a drop spilt or an ounce of energy used!

See pump here

Think my cans are oil cans but blue not yellow, they hold about 30L when full.

I have one of those pumps - or at least something that looks identical - but I wouldn't put it in petrol! It might be OK but I'd sooner not find out the hard way.

neilb · 12 September 2007, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by v666

I bought my cans from John Craddock and a spout as in pic below. It has an air inlet and the 20L goes in in about 90 seconds at a guess.

Tim

Tim

I have tried the link but get the johncraddockltd site but no content. Is it me or is the website playing up.

Neil

codprawn · 12 September 2007, 19:41

I thought all the "donkey's dick" style nozzles had an air vent? Mine certainly have. I also use a jiggle syphon which is much easier but only really suitable for the below deck tank - the console filler is much higher up.

I have yet to find an electric fuel pump that says it's safe with petrol - they all say "only for diesel"!!! Having said that a car fuel tank pump may be just the job!!!