What's the best 12V DC power source for my fueling station?

[aircommuter]

That’s a good choice if A/C is available near the tank and the source has a backup generator.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I also use an Anderson connector and do so on both tractors, my truck, and my hydraulic dovetail trailer since it makes for a universal solution. I have jumper cables that I power through the connectors that I use to start the various small engines with 12V starters in lieu of trying to keep expensive batteries on each of them. It also gives me a way to power up a small winch I can slide into a hitch mount I welded to the tractor.

 

[Lefty7]

All great suggestions. Thanks so much.

Since the weather is about to turn lousy here, I'm going to go with a small aux battery now and for the short term.

Later on, (probably sticking with the DC pump, since I just bought a new one), I'll hardwire something to make it quicker and easier.


[Nice and neat, workinonit. I like that.]

 

[JBF43]

That’s a good choice if A/C is available near the tank and the source has a backup generator.

That's what I was thinking, suppose you need it during an extended power outage. I use an old motorcycle battery that won't hold enough charge to start the bike, but will run a tank top pump. I can pump about 200 gallons before the battery needs another charge. For those "end of the world" days when all else fails, I have a hand pump from Harbor Freight that screws onto the 55 gallon drums I use. Just a thought.

 

[dieselscout80]

I am planning to add a typical 7 wire trailer plug to my tractor and us it and a male 7 wire trailer plug to power my fuel pump.

I also, want to use this connector to control my spreader and sprayer.

 

[lilranch2001]

I also, want to use this connector to control my spreader and sprayer.

I use the SAE Connector for everything, I think some of them are good up to 20 amps

 

[NealC]

You can buy a 25W solar panel and controller for $60 on Amazon to keep a battery charged. I use this on my dump trailer and it has worked well. The solar would probably be tax deductible. If you are only 20 ft from AC, then you have many choices from an AC 12v charger for a battery to a 110 V pump with no battery.

Amazon.com

 

[Elviscaretaker]

I just run my 12 volt pump off a jump box. Simple and someone needs to fiddle a bit more if they want to steal fuel from me. Hasn't happened yet but the targets I leave out could be the reason

 

[hosspuller]

The issue is the heavy amp draw of the pump motor. Best to use a lead acid battery. (many old car batteries can't reliably start a car but if kept on a battery maintainer will be enough to pump a vehicle tank worth of fuel.)

My 15 gpm diesel pump is on an old group 31 battery. It's charged and maintained by a controller and 15 watt solar cell on the shed roof. (AC power is too far away)

 

[grsthegreat]

I just use old generator group 26 batteries that are too week to start generator, but can last 6+ months between putting on NOCO10 charger. They cost me nothing.

 

[workinonit]

Thanks. The nice thing about these racing terminals is that I have them wired straight to the battery so in the event I need to jump the tractor off I have the terminals there to do it without lifting the hood.

 

[7010P]

I need to improve the power source for my farm’s diesel fueling station. I need something more reliable.

The 12V DC transfer pump is mounted on an 500 gal. tank outdoors. I currently have just a tractor and ATV requiring diesel, (though this could change), so it doesn’t get used more than once every few months unless it’s growing/tilling season. When I set it up about 10 years ago, I thought the easiest way was to get power from the fueled unit through its cig lighter/DC power port, but this has its problems. Sometimes – especially when I want to fuel them both at the same time - the draw heats up the plug and on occasion pops the inline fuse or even the fuse on the vehicle’s DC port. Then everything comes to a halt while I go fuse hunting. Recently, I suspect it may have even torched the wiring to the ATV's DC port, since I had the dealer tech up the fuse's spec to handle the pump draw. And it seems to vary depending on ambient temperature. I’ve cut down the wire leading to the pump to the minimum needed to reach the vehicle, but it remains an ongoing problem.

The fuel station is within about 20 feet from an inside-accessed AC power outlet, and I’m wondering if some beefy DC power supply would work better; I could run it out to the station only when needed. But after a quick look at these, it seems many are more suited to audio and electronics test bench situations than my ag application.

I am currently renewing all components of the fuel station – pump and motor, hose and nozzle, etc. – and need to get rid of these nagging DC power issues. Trolling for suggestions, wondering what others might be using in a similar setup. Your thoughts on the subject would be welcome. Thank you.

~Lefty7

I have a 100 Gal tank that I use for my tractor. I just use a spare battery and charge it when it gets low.

 

[4570Man]

I put a battery on my tank. I considered using some alligator clips and hooking it it to what I was fueling but I figured I would get annoyed with those. The battery last a long time and it wasn’t even a good battery. I pumped 150 gallons with it and it really hadn’t slowed down I just charged it when I had the opportunity.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

In the OPs case since it's 20 feet from ac power it's a no-brainer to simply go with an ac pump. 12V you have a battery to replace and maintain. Also I'd look at manual crank pumps which are inexpensive and don't need power at all except a little muscle!

 

[nknelsen]

I need to improve the power source for my farm’s diesel fueling station. I need something more reliable.

The 12V DC transfer pump is mounted on an 500 gal. tank outdoors. I currently have just a tractor and ATV requiring diesel, (though this could change), so it doesn’t get used more than once every few months unless it’s growing/tilling season. When I set it up about 10 years ago, I thought the easiest way was to get power from the fueled unit through its cig lighter/DC power port, but this has its problems. Sometimes – especially when I want to fuel them both at the same time - the draw heats up the plug and on occasion pops the inline fuse or even the fuse on the vehicle’s DC port. Then everything comes to a halt while I go fuse hunting. Recently, I suspect it may have even torched the wiring to the ATV's DC port, since I had the dealer tech up the fuse's spec to handle the pump draw. And it seems to vary depending on ambient temperature. I’ve cut down the wire leading to the pump to the minimum needed to reach the vehicle, but it remains an ongoing problem.

The fuel station is within about 20 feet from an inside-accessed AC power outlet, and I’m wondering if some beefy DC power supply would work better; I could run it out to the station only when needed. But after a quick look at these, it seems many are more suited to audio and electronics test bench situations than my ag application.

I am currently renewing all components of the fuel station – pump and motor, hose and nozzle, etc. – and need to get rid of these nagging DC power issues. Trolling for suggestions, wondering what others might be using in a similar setup. Your thoughts on the subject would be welcome. Thank you.

~Lefty7

A 120 volt pump would be the direction that I'd head in. And if your 12 volt pump is any good at all you can sell it to a contractor or excavation company.

That's my two cents. Hope it helps

 

[Dman1981]

Battery quick disconnect can put it where you want just put a 100 amp circuit breaker for safety

 

[fatjay]

I got an old battery charger with 2-10a selection, cut the leads off and wired it to my 12v pump. Set it to 10a 12v and always on. Plugged it in and it works great.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

One word solves all life's problems:
Simplicity

 

[LouNY]

I got an old battery charger with 2-10a selection, cut the leads off and wired it to my 12v pump. Set it to 10a 12v and always on. Plugged it in and it works great.

As long as you have ac power available. But then you wouldn't need a 12 volt pump

 

[fatjay]

As long as you have ac power available. But then you wouldn't need a 12 volt pump

My fueling station is parked in the shop, it's a 55gal drum. Tractors and mowers go to it. But I suspect if I didn't have 110v I could just run it off the tractor that's carrying it. Trailer harness would be sufficient for a quick disconnect.

I bought a 12v pump because 110v was cheaper, and 12v is easier to find. I can run it from vehicle or with a 12v power supply. If I have a 110v pump, I'd need an inverter to convert 12v to 110v.