Diesel Fuel storage indoors or outdoors

[haanzel]

I am going to get a two 100 gallon fuel tanks. The tanks are made from 1/8” steel and have 2 holes, one for a pump and one for a cap, or whatever you want to put there, I will use a vented cap. The fella I was talking to said to try and keep them indoors if possible due to temperature and moisture/swelling that may occur. The plan is to keep these available for the pto generator. I am in TX so it does get hot.

This leads to a couple questions:
1- Is there a difference between keeping them in my shop or garage vs outside but covered?
2- If I keep them inside the shop/garage, will the fumes be too much or too dangerous from the vent?

 

[woodman55]

Without question, inside, just like a furnace oil tank. If you are concerned about vapors, vent them out side, but would try vented inside first. The main thing is to try to reduce temperature variations as much as possible. This what draws air/moisture into the tanks.

 

[imnukensc]

Is your shop insulated or uninsulated? Heated? How hot or cold does the shop get? If it isn't much different than outside I wouldn't think it makes much difference if the outside storage area is covered like with a lean to and the temperatures are about the same most of the time.

 

[haanzel]

It is insulated. I have HVAC in it but don’t run it 24x7, just when I’m in there. It can get mid to upper 90s inside when not in use. I’ve thought about setting it high, like 85-90 when I’m not in there, if I need to do that I will.

That said, is there a difference between that and a lean to that is covered? I could put one on next to my shed.

 

[mikester]

Ask your insurance which they prefer ;-)

For $100/yr I rent my fuel tanks. They gave me brand new double walled tanks with electric pumps. My farm insurance is happy because the fuel company installs them to local code, maintains and inspects the tank and equipment, as well as takes on liability for the setup. One less worry for me. Win-win-win.

 

[Old Machinist]

I started with 55 gallon steel drums under a shed. I vented the 3/4 NPT holes with air filters. As the fuel levels were used down they would get condensation in them and started to form surface rust.

I switched to 55 gallon plastic drums in my barn and one of those split. Fortunately the split occurred above the fuel level.

After that I acquired a 100 gallon aluminum Freigthliner fuel tank I keep in my open front barn (3 sides enclosed). It has a vented cap. I added a Goldenrod water block fuel filter to it. I use a cheap 12V transfer pump and added a auto shutoff nozzle.

I power my pump from a 12V deep cycle battery connected to a 100W solar panel and charge controller. I also run a jumper cable off of that and alternate it between my backhoe and another deep cycle battery for a trolling motor using SAE connnectors.

My diesel generator holds about 9 gallons so it's good for at least 12 hours run time. I just carry 5 gallon cans from the storage tank to the generator in a wagon and use a D cell pump to transfer fuel to it as needed.

 

[Tughill Tom]

I started with 55 gallon steel drums under a shed. I vented the 3/4 NPT holes with air filters. As the fuel levels were used down they would get condensation in them and started to form surface rust.

I switched to 55 gallon plastic drums in my barn and one of those split. Fortunately the split occurred above the fuel level.

After that I acquired a 100 gallon aluminum Freigthliner fuel tank I keep in my open front barn (3 sides enclosed). It has a vented cap. I added a Goldenrod water block fuel filter to it. I use a cheap 12V transfer pump and added a auto shutoff nozzle.

View attachment 135937 View attachment 135937

I power my pump from a 12V deep cycle battery connected to a 100W solar panel and charge controller. I also run a jumper cable off of that and alternate it between my backhoe and another deep cycle battery for a trolling motor using SAE connnectors.

My diesel generator holds about 9 gallons so it's good for at least 12 hours run time. I just carry 5 gallon cans from the storage tank to the generator in a wagon and use a D cell pump to transfer fuel to it as needed.

Very nice setup.

 

[DustyRusty]

I started with 55 gallon steel drums under a shed. I vented the 3/4 NPT holes with air filters. As the fuel levels were used down they would get condensation in them and started to form surface rust.

I switched to 55 gallon plastic drums in my barn and one of those split. Fortunately the split occurred above the fuel level.

After that I acquired a 100 gallon aluminum Freigthliner fuel tank I keep in my open front barn (3 sides enclosed). It has a vented cap. I added a Goldenrod water block fuel filter to it. I use a cheap 12V transfer pump and added a auto shutoff nozzle.

View attachment 135937 View attachment 135937

I power my pump from a 12V deep cycle battery connected to a 100W solar panel and charge controller. I also run a jumper cable off of that and alternate it between my backhoe and another deep cycle battery for a trolling motor using SAE connnectors.

My diesel generator holds about 9 gallons so it's good for at least 12 hours run time. I just carry 5 gallon cans from the storage tank to the generator in a wagon and use a D cell pump to transfer fuel to it as needed.

What type of hoses did you use from the tank to the pump?

 

[Old Machinist]

What type of hoses did you use from the tank to the pump?

Tank to pump is clear reinforced vinyl. You can buy it from Lowes or HD. It isn't very flexible so it wouldn't be a good choice for the nozzle end. I plumed the pickup and filter with PVC. Works fine for diesel. Probably wouldn't work for gas.

My pump originally came with a rubber hose and manual nozzle so I am using that hose for the nozzle. I replaced the nozzle with the 3/4" auto shutoff one I linked above.

 

[DustyRusty]

Thanks, you have given me some good ideas for how to use my Roth tank with a minimum of effort to getting it plumbed.