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  #1  
Old 11-10-2009, 08:56 AM
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Refilling a Diesel Generator from my Car??

My car is a 300SD.


I'm not that familiar with the fuel circuit and where the pumps are.

Not sure if there is one in tank. I know about the manual pump for purging.

My question is:

Can I use the return line that goes back to the fuel tank on the car to put in a tee to use the car idling speed to fill my diesel generator tank? My diesel generator is on a welding trailer and I can move the generator and car next to eachother.

The generator tank top is at the same height as the top of fener on car so I don't need allot of pressure I don't think.

Anybody have an idea of what sort of transfer rate I could expect?

Is this a dumb idea to even try?

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Old 11-10-2009, 09:09 AM
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1) If you miscalculate and run your car's diesel tank completely empty, re-priming the system of any diesel is less than fun. Sure, it can be done, but it'll be extra work.

2) I'm betting the transfer rate will be like funneling it through a drinking straw. If the car is your only means of transporting fuel to the generator, you'd be better off hauling containers of pump diesel in the trunk. Or, if you insist, you'd still save time by using a piece of hose and siphoning fuel from the car's tank to a container and then, again, filling the generator from a fuel jug instead of using the car as a pump.

It could be done, I'm sure, but to what end? Connecting and disconnecting the lines will make a mess, it will take forever, and it's extra wear and tear on your fuel pump.
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  #3  
Old 11-10-2009, 09:20 AM
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Hi Busted !,

Thanks for your input. SC here, hello Neighbor.

Yes, I'm leaning with you on the extra wear and mess doing what I was asking about.

I was just flirting with the idea and figured I'd get some feedback.

Once I got struck in here in the mountains and has to use a generator for over a week. It was during a winter ice storm and with Ida coming this way my mind starting to thinking this AM.

I'll leave it alone and syphon from car or haul in jugs.

This is if I need to run it for allot of time if this strom cuts my power out.

Steve
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Old 11-10-2009, 09:24 AM
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super easy to just hook a bladder siphon to the tank, and flow it that way. faster, and easier on the car too...
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Old 11-10-2009, 09:36 AM
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I've actually done this to fill my tractor when I didn't have a jug handy.

Installing a long "fueling" hose in place of the cigar hose is easier than transporting jugs.
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Old 11-10-2009, 09:45 AM
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Whiskydan,

How long U figure it would take me to pump out half of my car tank?

My diesel generator is about half the car tank size.

Is the cigar hose the small jumpers from injector to injector?

Did U just hook up to the one that is blanked at the firewall?
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Old 11-10-2009, 09:52 AM
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I think its a great idea. Not to offend but "wear and tear on the car". Think about it. These cars go for 200,000 and run down the road at speed. Is setting idling for 20 minutes at a time to fill a gen tank really going to wear the car out. Next if your tank is full or anywhere close is pulling 5 gallons off going to run it out of fuel. As for the mess. The more you handle the fuel manually the more chance of a mess. No touch handling is the way to go. As far as volume it should be close to what the normal small siphon hoses do, slow but effective. 20-30 miniutes to fill the tank is my guess. The cool factor is priceless. Put a tee and a valve, from the valve a hose barb. Get a clear hose long enough for the transfer and put a tire weight on the very end.

Pull up to the gen set with a full tank in the car, pop the hood, pop the trunck, hook said hose to said hose barb, place weighted end in gen set tank, open valve and watch the fuel flow. Hopefully someone will be watching you and walk up and tell you how smart you are. Go for it.

I'm making Bio-diesel and I use clear hoses and vacuum to move my fluids and havent spilled a drop. No mess no smell, and simple. Thanks
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Old 11-10-2009, 09:54 AM
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Turn Car into Generator?

I seem to recall reading a post in the past wherein a forum member stated that he had somehow successfully rigged up his 617 engine (while still in his car) to function as a generator, which he ran for several hours consecutively and used to power a refrigerator and a couple of other items. Does anyone else remember seeing this? If it is somewhat simple to do, what a great idea!
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Old 11-10-2009, 10:03 AM
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Hey Doc,

Cool-Factor, Priceless , pretty funnie.

I'm just tossing the idea around in my head. Yeah I hate dealing with Jugs too but I'm thinking I may mess up something in the fuel system if I don't do it correctly.

Best to ask around first.

And when we get socked in with ice storms the local place to get fuel usually is without power also.

I don't even know if there is a pump in the tank, I'm assuming there isn't.
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Old 11-10-2009, 10:08 AM
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Jdh,

That fellow used an inverter hooked up to his battery. He did not run allot of things but it got him through his storm. Refrigerator and lites. I read his post.

My situation is I need to operate a 1HP well pump and I run 2 buidings so I need more power. My little generator is about 10KW.
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Old 11-10-2009, 10:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdh122 View Post
I seem to recall reading a post in the past wherein a forum member stated that he had somehow successfully rigged up his 617 engine (while still in his car) to function as a generator, which he ran for several hours consecutively and used to power a refrigerator and a couple of other items. Does anyone else remember seeing this? If it is somewhat simple to do, what a great idea!
I just hooked up a 1500w inverter (3000w surge) to the inside passenger footwell in my 240D . . . gives me 3 120VAC outlets
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  #12  
Old 11-10-2009, 10:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LNGfish View Post
My car is a 300SD.


I'm not that familiar with the fuel circuit and where the pumps are.

Not sure if there is one in tank. I know about the manual pump for purging.

My question is:

Can I use the return line that goes back to the fuel tank on the car to put in a tee to use the car idling speed to fill my diesel generator tank? My diesel generator is on a welding trailer and I can move the generator and car next to each other

The generator tank top is at the same height as the top of fener on car so I don't need allot of pressure I don't think.

Anybody have an idea of what sort of transfer rate I could expect?

Is this a dumb idea to even try?
Hi
I use a little red & black plastic hand pump from Harbor Freight (under $5) that comes with good length clear plastic tubing. Works great & easy to use. Seems to me using the engine/return line would be wasting fuel.
Joseph
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  #13  
Old 11-10-2009, 11:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawn T. W. View Post
I just hooked up a 1500w inverter (3000w surge) to the inside passenger footwell in my 240D . . . gives me 3 120VAC outlets
If you pull more than 400-500 watts off that while driving or more than 150ish while idling you're going to kill your battery very quickly.....standard 240d alternator is a very weak 55amp unit.
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Old 11-10-2009, 11:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdh122 View Post
I seem to recall reading a post in the past wherein a forum member stated that he had somehow successfully rigged up his 617 engine (while still in his car) to function as a generator, which he ran for several hours consecutively and used to power a refrigerator and a couple of other items. Does anyone else remember seeing this? If it is somewhat simple to do, what a great idea!
This would not work on his Welder that needs way more Amperage. And, infact the Inverter box woul cost a lot more also.
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Old 11-10-2009, 11:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiskeydan View Post
I've actually done this to fill my tractor when I didn't have a jug handy.

Installing a long "fueling" hose in place of the cigar hose is easier than transporting jugs.
Perhaps he could T in a permanent Valve at that spot with another short section of hose to hook it to the return tubing.
There should be plenty of Fuel availiable.

Another way would be to put in a T with a capped fitting. You remove the cap and screw in the Fuel Hose for use. See Pic
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Refilling a Diesel Generator from my Car??-tap-1.jpg  

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Last edited by Diesel911; 11-10-2009 at 12:25 PM.
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