What else in terms of safety or functionality do I need to account for in designing this Amazon-sourced small-scale home DIY gasoline station?
I had been refueling at home for five decades, usually using a simple lung-activated siphon action with a 1/2-inch ID 10-foot-long vinyl hose.
For the past year, I've been refueling with this portable gasoline pump.
<https://amazon.com/dp/B0DLDKHL7B/>
But that portable gas pump is slow & it does not shut off automatically.
I want to design a faster auto-shutoff home refueling system to go from a standard 5-gallon Sceptre portable gasoline container to the automobile
gas tank outdoors (with plenty of ventilation & no flame sources nearby).
I am aware of the dangers of static electricity which is the major concern.
I am aware a metal can would be better grounded than the HDPE gasoline can.
I am aware that slower flow rates are safer in terms of static buildup.
The 2GPM flow rate of the gasoline pump is a major component in the system.
I am aware gas cans must NEVER be placed on an insulated surface.
I am aware that very low humidity is conducive to static charge buildup.
The fueling process will never be left unattended.
I am aware of the dangers inherent in storing 5-gallon gas containers.
There will be no vapor recovery which isn't required for 5-gallon systems. Spill containment isn't required but a shallow metal pan is available.
A Class B fire extinguisher is mounted near the fuel storage area.
I have personal protection equipment (gloves, goggles, welding apron).
Gray fuel-spill pads were obtained previously from the Costco gas station.
All parts below are expressly advertised as designed for *gasoline* fuels. All equipment will be essentially on the ground (i.e., nothing elevated). However, 20 feet of stranded copper wire, 12-14 gauge is available.
The hose will be aimed close to the bottom of the gas can to minimize. potential splashing and therefore accidental static generation.
The 12VDC gasoline pump is attached to a 12VDC battery via clamps.
If desired, a ground for the vehicle to a copper stake can be added.
If desired, a stainless-steel nut will be used as the hose weight.
If I order the following parts, do you think I'll have any major issues?
5-gallon HDPE scepter gas can https://amazon.com/dp/B0BRT72MKT/>
3/4-inch NPT Automatic Fuel Nozzle <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DZCM1HYH/>
3/4-inch 360-degree fuel hose swivel <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F26DTBVC/>
1-inch gas flow meter w 3/4" adapter <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F334N1JR/>
12VDC 2GPM gasoline pump w clamps <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DFCRH64R/>
10-feet 3/4-inch black gasoline hose <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DCG951RV/>
The initial order of operations (pending improvements) is:
a. Connect a grounding wire from the pump to a ground on the vehicle
b. Place full HDPE gas can on the ground & remove gasoline bung cap
c. Insert the nozzle before starting the pump (to equalize static charge)
d. Drop open gasoline hose (perhaps weighted) deeply into the gas can
e. Press the gasoline pump on switch & determine proper gasoline flow
f. Maintain nozzle continuous contact with the filler neck throughout
g. Allow the nozzle to automatically shut off the flow when full
h. Wait a few seconds for nozzle drips & static charge to dissipate
i. Shut off the fuel pump on/off switch shortly thereafter
j. Put everything away but always disconnect grounding wires last
What else in terms of safety or functionality do I need to account for in designing this Amazon-sourced small-scale home DIY gasoline station?
You were very thorough. I am not familiar with the quality of the parts
that you listed but they should work well for you.
My only suggestion is to use Blue Gasoila thread paste instead of or on
top of teflon tape. You can get it in a 6 oz. tube.
I've been managing the design and install of industrial fuel systems for
the last 20 years - ships, planes, trains, mining, etc. The parts we
use look somewhat similar to yours but the cost is 5 to 10 times higher
for industrial quality.
Fuel system install pros usually do not use teflon tape - it leaks.
If I order the following parts, do you think I'll have any major issues?
5-gallon HDPE scepter gas can https://amazon.com/dp/B0BRT72MKT/>
3/4-inch NPT Automatic Fuel Nozzle <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DZCM1HYH/>
3/4-inch 360-degree fuel hose swivel <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F26DTBVC/>
1-inch gas flow meter w 3/4" adapter <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F334N1JR/>
12VDC 2GPM gasoline pump w clamps <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DFCRH64R/>
10-feet 3/4-inch black gasoline hose <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DCG951RV/>
Starting at 100 gallons, at an average of 15 gallons per fill up, that's
only 6 fill ups before you need to run out and get more fuel, where four
cars can run though that in just a month so the gas won't sit for long.
What I like about the Home DIY gas station I'm building is that it can be extended to a 55-gallon epoxy-lined drum, if I can get one on the cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Black-Steel-Closed-Transport-Drum-Each/dp/B08V8GH9M8/
The problem with steel is it rusts.
The problem with plastic is static.
Starting at 100 gallons, at an average of 15 gallons per fill up, that's only 6 fill ups before you need to run out and get more fuel, where four cars can run though that in just a month so the gas won't sit for long.
The main reason to build a DIY gas station is the sheer convenience of it. Even the wife & kids can easily refuel their own cars in the driveway now.
This frees me of the task where all I have to do is go to Costco once a
month with 10 empty jugs and that fuels all the cars for the next month.
The main question was how many of you have made your own gas station?
That's why I loved the most the helpful advice from Paul in Houston.
He knows what he's doing because he's done it.
Which is the best kind of person to get advice from.
Has anyone else on this group made their own DIY home gas station?
What did you learn from your efforts that I can benefit from knowing?
In article <102s530$4kht$1@news.samoylyk.net>, wgreen@notreal.net
says...
Has anyone else on this group made their own DIY home gas station?
What did you learn from your efforts that I can benefit from knowing?
I uess that it depends on where you are at. I pass several gas stations >every time I leave the house. No prolem to just stop at one of them.
I do have 4 of the 5 gallon cans and a few one gallon cans. I fill them
up with the ethanol free fuel for the lawn equipment and to have on hand
for the 5 kw generator that I seldom need. The one gallon ones get oil
for the 2 cycle engines in them. If I run out I can always use some of
the 5 gallon can gas. Usually only fill 2 of the 5 gallon and one of
the one gallon cans up every month or two during the mowing season.
If I lived far away from a station I might store a much larger amount.
Cosco is about 40 miles away from me and not worth my time and membeship >money, same as Sam's Club.
The last couple of times that I've been back, the farms are mostly gone.
The land is still being farmed, but the small mom and pop farmers have apparently died or moved on.
The last couple of times that I've been back, the farms are mostly gone.
The land is still being farmed, but the small mom and pop farmers have
apparently died or moved on.
As Earl Butz said "Get big or get out." That's been the USDA mantra since
his era. The reasoning behind it is cheap (relatively) food. Hungry people tend to get pissed off. Keep them fat, literally, dumb, and happy.
How does the gasoline get to the tank?
Fuel trucks?
Is the delivery fee for 50 or 100 gallons prohibitive?
Are the prices competitive for the gasoline per gallon?
How does that delivery stuff work?
On 18 Jun 2025 06:58:34 GMT, rbowman wrote:
The last couple of times that I've been back, the farms are mostly gone. >>> The land is still being farmed, but the small mom and pop farmers have
apparently died or moved on.
As Earl Butz said "Get big or get out." That's been the USDA mantra since
his era. The reasoning behind it is cheap (relatively) food. Hungry people >> tend to get pissed off. Keep them fat, literally, dumb, and happy.
How does the gasoline get to the tank?
Fuel trucks?
Is the delivery fee for 50 or 100 gallons prohibitive?
Are the prices competitive for the gasoline per gallon?
How does that delivery stuff work?
Check out JME for parts and costs: (example for filters): https://www.jmesales.com/shop/?search_query=3%2F4%22+gas+filter&fallbackQuery=3%2F4%22+gas+filter
I haven't read every message in this thread, but if it hasn't been mentioned already, you may wish to check with your insurance company to see if they have
any policy restrictions on keeping larger quantities of flammable liquids on premises.
The problem I'm having with fuel filters is they all seem to be Army/Navy 6 sizes, like this male AN6 fuel filter is. https://amazon.com/dp/B0DWFDF7VK/
I can get an AN6 to NPT fitting but they all seem to go to 3/8-inch NPT. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F47FFY13
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHXVW4F5
I was thinking about a 3/4-inch NPT fuel transfer hose because the auto-shutoff nozzle is 3/4-inch NPT but maybe I'll go for 3/8-inch fuel transfer hose (if they make it) and just downsize from 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch at the fuel nozzle.
So what do you think of this equipment list (given I already received much
of the parts below but not yet the fuel filter & fuel transfer hose). 3/4-inch NPT Automatic Fuel Nozzle <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DZCM1HYH/>
3/4-inch 360-degree fuel hose swivel <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F26DTBVC/>
1-inch gas flow meter w 3/4" adapter <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F334N1JR/>
12VDC 2GPM gasoline pump w clamps <https://amazon.com/dp/B0DFCRH64R/>
I'm thinking about getting these parts to add the fuel filter & swivel.
6AN 30 micron Inline Fuel Filter <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F48286LB/>
6AN female swivel to 3/8-inch male NPT <https://amazon.com/dp/B0F48286LB/>
Is 30 micron enough? I suspect the fuel is pretty clean since it comes
right out of the gas pump and it goes into a red plastic gasoline jug.
Then I probably want a 3/8-18 NPT ten or fifteen foot fuel hose.
I can find a lot of bare-end 3/8-inch fuel hose but it's really hard to
find anything smaller than 3/4-inch fuel transfer hose that has fittings.
DO you think vinyl would allow too much static to build up?
I've been using 10 foot 1/2-inch vinyl hose for decades with siphons.
The advantage of vinyl would be it would be see through.
But the disadvantage might be that it's not conductive.
What do you think?
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