Bliz self-venting diesel cans are illegal

ragkar · Jun 4, 2007

for sale or delivery in four states, CA, OH, Ct and NH, due to their emissions regulations. Many sites (ebay, amazon etc) say that they are also illegal in TX, PA, MD, NY, ME, NJ, DE and VA(four counties) but they are wrong. In the later group of states, self-venting gas cans (not diesel) are illegal for sale.
This information comes from the Blitz USA web site.

Other interesting information is that the spill proof spout (a blitz design that has been discontinued) will not fit a self-venting can or vice versa.

Many of you may carry a self-venting or spill-proof gas can in the trunk of your car for emergencies. Well this question and answer may surprise you.
Q: Why can’t I refuel on road vehicles with the Self-Venting or Spill Proof (CARB) spouts?
A: The spouts are not intended for on-road use as the spout is not long enough to open the trap door. A funnel is required if you run out of gas and need to refuel your vehicle.

ragkar · Jun 7, 2007

Small experiment today. I checked to see if I could put gas in my miata using blitz cans with the three different kinds of spouts.

'Pull and pour' this discontinued design worked.

'self-venting' the closing catch prevents you from inserting the nozzle into the neck of the fuel tank.

'spill-proof' this is the design with a spring loaded closing cover. The neck of the spout has too great a diameter to enter the car's fuel tank neck.

dogranch · Jun 7, 2007

Illegal I don't know about. I do know they pretty much suck. Takes me about 5 minutes to pour 5 gallons of diesel into by tractor using one of those POS. I switched it with an old regular vent one i had for gas and now it takes about a minute. I did like the dual handle set up on it though, it makes em easier to handle when full.

pekabu · Jun 8, 2007

dogranch said:
II do know they pretty much suck.

I concur. I have 4 or 5 different nozzles on various cans, and the all spill or are a hassle to use. None have very long nozzles so I can see it being an issue with cars.

Atlas · Jun 18, 2007

I have a 35 gallon gas caddy in the barn that I use the Blitz gas can to refill. It works great for that. I just set it up with the nozzle in the fill hole and the body on the caddy handle and wait for it to empty. Otherwise, it is a PITA to use when refuelling equipment.

schmism · Jun 25, 2007

dogranch said:
Illegal I don't know about. I do know they pretty much suck. Takes me about 5 minutes to pour 5 gallons of diesel into by tractor using one of those POS. I switched it with an old regular vent one i had for gas and now it takes about a minute. I did like the dual handle set up on it though, it makes em easier to handle when full.

the last one i bought i noticed didnt have a vent which pissed me off

i used it twice before i took out the drill and punched a 1/6" inch hole in the back were the vent is SUPPOSED to be.

i put a sheetmetal screw in it when im transporting....

MikeD74T · Jun 26, 2007

I don't know about Blitz cans being illegal in NH but I got one today for free & it's full of gas! Driving home from work when a car, leaving a gas station & wanting to go in the opposite direction, cut me off by pulling into my lane then stopped for traffic in the other lane. A pickup also leaving the station going in my direction took advantage of the road block & sped onto the road and away. When the car finally cleared my lane there was a 5 gallon can in the road. Rather than run over it I stopped to throw it out of the way. Brand new, full of gas, & the original owner long gone. It's probably worth more than I have invested even it it pours slowly. MikeD74t
If aTBN member lost a can in NH today PM me with the location & you can have it back.

DaryleD · Jun 28, 2007

MikeD74t
I know that it's frustrating when people drive stupidly, but... I wouldn't be proud of STEALING someones stuff either. It is too late now, but I think the better thing to do would be to leave it on the side of the road, where it had fallen out of the truck. If you don't pay or have something freely given to you, than it's not yours. Not trying to rag on you, but just reminding what is wright and wrong.

firemanpat2910 · Jun 28, 2007

Wow now lets look at several different angles here.

1, If he left it on the side of the road, instead of removing the hazard it could have , been crashed into, had a cigarette tossed on it, been picked up and missused by a child, spilled into the storm drain, caused a 10 car pileup of people wanting to steal it. or worse, it might have been put in a green tractor

2, He could have called the police and A) waited an unknown period of time for a cop,B) had the dispatcher freak out and send the FD, police,bomb sqaud, and hazardous material rescue team,C) had a rookie cop show up and say well gee mr I dont know what to do,D) or had a seasoned cop show up and treat you like a moron for not putting it in your truck and taking it home in the first place

3. or he could have removed the hazzard, put the fuel to good use and bought something nice for the Mrs with the saved money.

I would go with option 3

Soundguy · Jun 28, 2007

I wouldn't classify that as stealing.. Technically it is lost property with no way to locate the owner.. IE.. salvage.

I'd also be wary of leaving a can of highly flamable fuel setting beside a road waiting for a firey accident as people all pull over to get it.

At very most.. I'd leave it at the pump or beside the store and alert the attendent that you have done so.

An alternative method would be to tack up a piece of paper at the pump stating you have retrieved it, and leave a tele number... Or leave a tele number with the clerk.. etc.

I find soooo many things beside the rod at the intersection where my office is located near an interstate).. Most of the stuff gets kicked off to the side to rot till the road maint dept picks it up for mowing.

The road guys usually have about 4-5 good looking coolers EACH strapped to their mowers on the way back home when they mow each week..

Again.. I don't see this amounting to stealing.. Any more than finding an item in a shopping cart in a store parking lot... etc,.. It is abandoned property..

If yuo can reasonably find the owner great.. otherwise.. i don't see an overwhelming obligation or duty to the 'finder' for a low dollar item. If it was a 250$ tool laden box.. then you could call the police and have it listed in their lost property blotter.. typically property not picke dup is given to the finder after a time period.. or is auctioned off.. etc.

Just my opinion.. that and 5$ will get you a starbucks coffee..

Soundguy

DaryleD said:
MikeD74t
I know that it's frustrating when people drive stupidly, but... I wouldn't be proud of STEALING someones stuff either. It is too late now, but I think the better thing to do would be to leave it on the side of the road, where it had fallen out of the truck. If you don't pay or have something freely given to you, than it's not yours. Not trying to rag on you, but just reminding what is wright and wrong.