Generator Fuel Storage

[AL_Josh]

It being hurricane season again, I have gotten a 55 gallon plastic barrel to store fuel in. I want to keep about 30 gallons in it. It will be plenty gas until the gas stations get back up to running normal.I also have 2 5 gallon cans so I wil be set for gas for the generator.

I think it was used to store Glycerin in. I got it from a friend who works at a glue factory. How should I clean it out? Also is there anything else I need to look out for?

I will add fuel stabilizer to it but will only store the fuel for just hurricane season. I will use out of it and replenish it between storms.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I think it was used to store Glycerin in. I got it from a friend who works at a glue factory. How should I clean it out? Also is there anything else I need to look out for?

Thanks for the advice.

Anything in it? Any liquid? Smell anything?
Bob

 

[AL_Josh]

I have yet to get the barel in hand. I will hopefully get it this weekend. I will post any smells, liquids and labels I see.

Thanks,

 

[Highbeam]

Glycerin sounds icky. Isn't that what soap is made from? Dilution is the solution.

 

[CurlyDave]

Isn't that what soap is made from?

Actually, glycerin is a by product of the soap making process.

I don't know for sure what glycerin would do to gasoline. If I absolutely had to use an old glycerin barrel for gasoline storage, I would put 1 gallon of gas in it, roll it around on the floor for 20-30 minutes to rinse the inside and then drain the gas. Repeat with a second gallon, and drain again. Then you are good to go. Disposing of the gas you have used to rinse is your problem, but I wouldn't burn it in my car without doing a lot of research.

OTOH, I would think strongly about just not getting the barrel in the first place. Around here a Wal-Mart 5 gallon gas container is about $6. Buy six of them and you have 30 gallons of storage. You can lift each one up individually and take them to the station to get them filled.

Hopefully, you are going to store them in a shed, far from your house. Being able to carry them one at a time gives you a lot more options there.

I think you are saving $36, but buying a lot of grief if you get the old glycerin drum. Gas is about $3.00 per gallon, 30 gallons is $180. Spend the extra $36 and never look back.

 

[AL_Josh]

Dave,
You have a good point. I did not think about it that way. I think I wil get the drum see what is in it keep just incase and go buy me 4 or 5 more gas cans.
I already have 2.

And gas is arround $3.00 so it would make it about $90.00 dollars for 30 gallons. The $180.00 you said had me scared till I thought about it for a second. You must have had to fill up today and it seemed like $180.00. I know it does when I fill up.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[CurlyDave]

And gas is arround $3.00 so it would make it about $90.00 dollars for 30 gallons.

Sorry about that. I used to be able to multiply numbers like that in my head. Mush have gone downhill since I crossed over into geezerdom...

Another advantage to multiple small containers is that I put a piece of masking tape on them and write down the date when I fill them, even though I also put stablizer in them. If I don't use the gas for a while, I dump the oldest one in the tank of my pickup and go get it filled again. Keeping the stock rotated is always a good idea.

 

[Highbeam]

Along those lines remember that the huge majority of generator failues is caused by lack of use. At least monthly run that generator under half load for a good half hour to circulate oil, fuel, and to burn off accumulated moisture from the generator head and the engine case.

If you don't do this then your generator will not start when you get home well into darkness, driving winds, temps in the teens, and your infant children starting to shiver in the sub60 degree house. I ended up having do take the carburetor apart that night in the dark with my LED headlight. Water in the bowl that would not have been there had I kept up on my monthly runs.

 

[BillyP]

Along those lines remember that the huge majority of generator failues is caused by lack of use. At least monthly run that generator under half load for a good half hour to circulate oil, fuel, and to burn off accumulated moisture from the generator head and the engine case.

Taylor Power, a big generator company, recommends running under load for an hour once a week.

 

[JJT]

Taylor Power, a big generator company, recommends running under load for an hour once a week.

I run mine every 4 - 6 weeks for 30 minutes, making sure I put a decent electrical load on it. It's worked for me for the past 8 years. I use stabil and swap out the gas annually during mower season. I don't keep more than 2.5 gallons of spare gas around, (the gen is always filled with a 5 gallon tank). The power was out for 36 hours a few weeks ago, I burned less than a tank, running it for an hour or 2 when it was needed. In the winter it gets run continuous if the power is out.