Oil Burner pump limits?

chopped · Dec 17, 2013

Hi , I am installing a used hot air oil furnace, and will have about a 15 to 20 foot run of 3/8 copper linch line for the fuel.I would like to use a 50 gallon barrel for the oil and Wondered what people think of the pump to draw from the barrel if stood up.Ive had them in a cradle before but Id like to conserve space and also be able to see how much oil is in the tank, as well as fill it easier.Im just wondering what the situation would be if It was to draw slightly higher than the inlet to the burner itself.Seems like it should move it ok. but wasnt sure if anyone has some ideas. thanks in advance.The past I used the barrel horizontal on a stand that was about 18 to 24 inches high. the barrel will set it about 36 or 38 inches..

davedj1 · Dec 17, 2013

I don't think you will have any problems. I lived in a trailer when I was young and the fuel line had a return line to help the siphon effect.
My brother runs his trailer furnace in his garage out of a 15 gal. barrel standing up and has no problems.

chopped · Dec 17, 2013

Thank you...

hddnis · Dec 17, 2013

The pumps will draw with a few feet on the suction side no problem. Priming can be a little hard, but some sort of suction pump, bulb type or even automotive tester type make that an easy task.

Mr. HE

SPIKER · Dec 17, 2013

If you can put in a 3 way fitting near the pump and have a small ball valve with a simple suction hose type fitting on top of the T & Ball Valve then you can put a small portable suction hand pump from HF for 5 bucks to prime it should it run out.

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

Once the line is PRIMED there will be no difference as the oil going UP is offset by the oil coming back DOWN. If you have some concerns set the BBL up on some cement blocks (so it sets few feet higher...)

NOW since this post is up here does anyone know what pressure these fuel oil burner pumps operate at? (Talking the Fuel Oil Pumps in the Burner not the cheap plastic transfer pump.)
I am looking at using one to build a waste oil burner using an old pile of 1/2" wall pipe (24" well casting) as an experiment. I have access to a used tear out system when a furnace was replaced with LP.

thanks
Mark

Katahdin · Dec 17, 2013

I have a Beckett oil burner in my boiler. The 275 gal tank outlet is just a little bit above floor level. The pump will draw the fuel up the wall, across the ceiling, and down to the pump/burner over about 25 feet of line. Probably not ideal but its never had a problem in the 12 years we've had the boiler.

chopped · Dec 21, 2013

I was wondering how it was to 'bleed' this system. Like,with mine, even the filter will be wall mounted.I plan to load the filter with oil first but am concerned about he bleeding process..Ill have a dip tube and then the filter wall mounted and then about 30 feet of line before the pump.Im wondering if I should get a vacum hand pump and draw the oil through the system first?

Brake Bleeder and Vacuum Pump Kit

Katahdin said:
I have a Beckett oil burner in my boiler. The 275 gal tank outlet is just a little bit above floor level. The pump will draw the fuel up the wall, across the ceiling, and down to the pump/burner over about 25 feet of line. Probably not ideal but its never had a problem in the 12 years we've had the boiler.

quicksandfarmer · Dec 21, 2013

We had to move our oil tank to the garage when underground storage was banned. The first winter the pump kept losing prime because the lines were so much longer. Total distance is about 50'. Our dealer installed a device called a Tigerloop at the pump which helps the pump keep prime, haven't had any problems since.