1 Gallon plastic fuel cans.

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jonjo

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After a very small diesel spillage (not in Portsmouth) while topping up my main tank, I have decided to replace my 25 litre reserve fuel can with 2 more controllable 5 litre cans.

Such small fuel cans seem to be for sale everywhere but the thought of 1 gallon of diesel seeping into the cockpit locker bilge is too awful to contemplate so I want to buy 2 sturdy deluxe examples. Can anyone recommend a make/supplier?
 
On the same theme - my boat came with a funnel about a foot across which must be an advantage (not that I ever use it).

Some people keep their spare fuel in the anchor locker to avoid spillage/fire hazards.
 
I'd go for a Steel 10 litre one, and repaint it with lots of red lead before use.

Garages may refuse to allow filling of more than one 5 l can.


Best to buy one with an air vent screw, so that the diesel doesn't "slurp" out of the pouring end all over the decks.


Edited: Halfords know more than me (not surprising !)
10 litres in plastic is OK for diesel
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/store...3&langId=-1
 
I have to top up from 25 litre containers on a regular basis (petrol) I bought one of those plastic gadgets for syphoning petrol from a car, it has a 4ft length of plastic pipe with non return valve, a concertina thingy in the middle, then another 4ft pipe with a tap. I place the container higher than the fuel tank to be filled, pump the concertina thingy and have a fag whilst it syphons in, never spills a drop.!
 
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I place the container higher than the fuel tank to be filled, pump the concertina thingy and have a fag whilst it syphons in, never spills a drop.!


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you must be getting close to your ninth life, by now.... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
My boat came fully fitted with a capacious 2-gallon fuel tank, so since 1987 I've used plastic 1-gallon fuel cans to suplement this and now have four. The twenty year old red Halfords ones are as good as the slightly younger "proper" diesel ones, and I suspect they're all made in the same factory. The big funnel with integral filter is necessary, especially with Marina diesel, but be careful as you get near the top, it is quite slow and holds an awful lot of diesel if you suddenly find that the tank is full but the funnel isn't empty .... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I've never had any trouble filling up 2 or 3 cans at a garage, especially as I'm usually filling up the car at the same time. Most garages are self-service, and they're hardly going to make you put it back.
 
I bought an army-surplus 5 gal jerrycan which is stored in my cockpit locker. With a plastic syphon thing (as described) I never spill a drop and try to remember to keep it full when I fuel up. If necessary I can carry it - but not too far when full!
 
If syphoned, the 20 litre cans are the most convenient. It is always bit of a palaver topping up at sea; so make it a worthwhile amount. 20 litres is just about the maximum that can be easily carried.

In the USA Wal-Mart and Home Depot sell a nifty battery powered syphon pump for filling parrafin greenhouse heaters. The dog's danglies for fuel top ups.
 
In supermarkets brico type shops in France you can buy a battery powered pump suitable for kerosene, paraffin and diesel.
They work a treat do not spill.
They were also on Force 4 Chandlers web site but at about twice the price!
 
once, just once, I had to fill up from a 25 litre can in a big sea....went and bought 5 litre containers after having diesel fuel everywhere including all over me.
 
I use a syphon with the two 20 litre drums i use, never spill a drop, even at sea, the same as davy's system,(but without the fags), fit the syphon and end of tube into the tank, and pump the syphon to get it flowing and just turn a tap at top to let air in to break the syphon to stop the flow.
 
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Best to buy one with an air vent screw, so that the diesel doesn't "slurp" out of the pouring end all over the decks.

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The vent on the 25l can was my downfall, to help the initial pour from the full fuel can I turned it sideward’s a bit, at which point diesel spilt out of the vent, doh.
 
Thanks all.

I will leave the siphon suggestion for another time when I venture way beyond the English Channel, for now a 10 litre reserve should be enough.

After posting I found some 20 year old red plastic cans in the garage which seem heavier than current models. Keep em in the anchor locker, there's an idea.
 
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