Gas Caddy

[charliepff]

Ladies and Gentleman;

I was wondering what you all thought on fixing this. I purchased a 25 gallon gas caddy about three months ago. The shipping company dropped it off and I did not get a chance to check on it's condition. I placed it in the shed and finally removed the contents about two weeks ago and found a slice in the bottom. It looks like it is from a forklift. It is about 2 inches long and a quarter of an inch wide. Should I try to send it back or is there repair kits that would repair this kind of thing? I did find a thing called Plastex but never worked with it. I was wondering if anyone has tried this before.

 

[LBrown59]

Ladies and Gentleman;

I was wondering what you all thought on fixing this.
I purchased a 25 gallon gas caddy about three months ago. The shipping company dropped it off and I did not get a chance to check on it's condition. I placed it in the shed and finally removed the contents about two weeks ago and found a slice in the bottom. It looks like it is from a forklift. It is about 2 inches long and a quarter of an inch wide. Should I try to send it back or is there repair kits that would repair this kind of thing? I did find a thing called Plastex but never worked with it. I was wondering if anyone has tried this before.

Send it back and get yer money back as you can probably build a better one for around the same money.

 

[chh]

I would attempt to send it back. After 3 months though that may not be too easy. Personally I have not been able to repair anything like that and get it to remain leak free.

 

[LBrown59]

I would attempt to send it back. After 3 months though that may not be too easy. Personally I have not been able to repair anything like that and get it to remain leak free.

Warranty might still cover it.

 

[bearhawk]

Most of the time you need to report the damage to the shipping company within a few days.

You can try to explain the hidden damage was not found right away.

But 90 days is probably just too long ago to file a claim.

 

[Q-Saw]

I agree with others - try to get a replacement. 3 months is a long shot, but it's worth a try. It would even be worth paying to ship it back (hopefully you have the original box it was shipped in) so they can see it has never been used, has the stickers on it, etc.

Failing that, I would scrap it, as I would think the possibility of a leak will make it too dangerous IMO. I doubt any repair would be adequate to make me feel comfortable with its integrity.

If you decide to scrap it (for fuel use), perhaps you can repair it and use it as a rain-barrel for watering plants, or something. Of course, I would paint it if using it for water.

- Marty

 

[Pilot]

Is it one of those steel caddies? Can't a patch be welded over gash? I presume the metal is torn and it is not a clean cut like a razor cut in paper. So I would use a die grinder to cut out the bent metal and leave a clean cut opening. Then cut a piece of metal to fit over the opening & weld it in place.

There is a product called Proseal you can apply to the inside of the weld to seal it. Proseal is used for sealing fuel tanks; it's used by the Air Force as well as for gas powered planes. You can buy it from Van's Aircraft--find them with Google. Buy the quart kit for $39. Just be sure before you weld it that you will have a relatively flat surface on the inside after welding is done. Doesn't have to be perfectly smooth, just has to be smooth enough that you can squish the Proseal into all the cracks.

Proseal seals fuel tanks that are built of aluminum sheet and are riveted together and it seals well around the hundreds of rivets used in the tanks.

Proseal is a 2 part product. Degrease the area with acetone or MEK by pouring a little in there & sloshing it around the repaired area. Mix it 1:10 and you don't have to be as exact as the instructions say. You will probably have to use a stick to slop it on the inside of the repair; just be sure to get good coverage. Inspect the area carefully when you are done.

 

[charliepff]

It is actually made of all plastic. I bought it from electric generators direct website. I think I am going to call them when I get time this week and see if I can send it back for an exchange. Thank you all for the suggestions.

 

[DIRTROAD]

In the past I have welded plastic together using a soldering iron. Don't know if it would hold up to gas, but it works real well on dirtbike/4wheeler fenders and stuff like that. Just another idea.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I wouldn't mind having one of those for diesel, but at $350 for 28 gallon can, I think i'll stick to my 5 diesel cans that cost about $30 total.

 

[LBrown59]

Those Caddies are nothing but a big joke.

I wouldn't mind having one of those for diesel, but at $350 for 28 gallon can, I think i'll stick to my 5 diesel cans that cost about $30 total.

I built this for about 350 to 400 dollars and it's
far superior to those caddies.
It offers features and functions those caddies just don't have.

 

[LBrown59]

It is actually made of all plastic. I bought it from electric generators direct website. I think I am going to call them when I get time this week and see if I can send it back for an exchange. Thank you all for the suggestions.

Even better would be a refund and take the money and build you a much better outifit.

 

[LBrown59]

I wouldn't mind having one of those for diesel, but at $350 for 28 gallon can, I think i'll stick to my 5 diesel cans that cost about $30 total.

I know the cans are cheaper but A pump and drum set up is well worth the difference.
The drum allows me delivery of fuel at 30 to 50 cents less per gallon.
I can't take the 5 gal cans and get the less costly fuel I have to take the cans to a regular station and pay 30 to 50 cents eatra a gallon.

I went the 5 gallon route for 4 long years and hated every second of it.
The only thing I regret about building my fuel station is the fact that i didn't do it four years ago.

 

[stumpfield]

Those Caddies are nothing but a big joke.
I built this for about 350 to 400 dollars and it's
far superior to those caddies.
It offers features and functions those caddies just don't have.

LBrown59: That looks like a great idea and well built. I have a an extra plastic drums laying around and might want to build one just like yours. Can you share your design and list all the components needed? Thanks.

 

[chh]

Far simplier and cheaper than that setup would be a GPI or Fillrite 12V transfer pump. They will fit directly onto a barrel with standard threads. The lower volume GPI runs on sale locally on a regular basis for under $200 including all the hose, wiring and nozzle. A filter setup would be a bit extra. I paid about $250 or so for a heavy duty 15 gpm Fillrite when I put a 100 gallon bed tank on my truck. I used an older one and a barrel for years to transfer fuel to tractors and dozers here on the ranch as a portable unit. Alligator clips to the truck or equipment battery worked very well. My current system is hardwired to the truck and the Fillrite pumps are lockable. I have pumped literally thousands of gallons with those setups.

 

[LBrown59]

Yeah those Caddys are a lot of money offering very little.

Far simplier and cheaper than that setup would be a GPI or Fillrite 12V transfer pump. They will fit directly onto a barrel with standard threads. The lower volume GPI runs on sale locally on a regular basis for under $200 including all the hose, wiring and nozzle. A filter setup would be a bit extra. I paid about $250 or so for a heavy duty 15 gpm Fillrite when I put a 100 gallon bed tank on my truck. I used an older one and a barrel for years to transfer fuel to tractors and dozers here on the ranch as a portable unit. Alligator clips to the truck or equipment battery worked very well. My current system is hardwired to the truck and the Fillrite pumps are lockable. I have pumped literally thousands of gallons with those setups.

 

[LBrown59]

Far simplier and cheaper than that setup would be a GPI or Fillrite 12V transfer pump.

What set up are you talking about?