A 12V diesel transfer pump should be used when there is a need to refuel a tank in a remote location, where no petrol station is available nearby. This is particularly useful to people travelling long distances, needing to top-up the tank without relying on pre-existing refueling stations. Boats are a very good example, as when you are in the ocean, or river, you do not have the luxury to pull over and refuel the tank.

Although this product is commonly known as a diesel transfer pump, it is not designed to work with diesel only. Any type of fuel such as petrol, ethanol, and biodiesel can be pumped through the pump. Perhaps the correct name for this product is fuel transfer pump. Bear in mind that these pumps have not been designed to transfer oils, as they tend to be very viscous and can damage the internal parts of the pump.

Let’s have a look at who benefits from using a  12V diesel transfer pump, the basic features, useful accessories, and minimum requirements you need in the pump, so it can suit your needs. Afterall, the pump must be reliable enough to be used when you need it, otherwise you might find yourself stuck in a far away location with no fuel to your vehicle.

Types of Fuel Transfer Pumps

Before describing the benefits of this product, it is important to point out what alternatives are available in the market. For a portable fuel transfer pump, the two types available are: manual, electric or battery diesel transfer pump.

• Manual fuel transfer pump: They might be extremely old-school but believe it or not, they still exist. These pumps are hard to operate as the user needs to manually pump the fuel. The main advantages are low cost to purchase the pump itself and reliability, as all it needs is a strong arm to pump. Manual fuel transfer pumps are good as a contingency plan. Especially if your main pump is a battery one, as these pumps are often used in remote locations, where there are no power or petrol stations. So if the pump fails, you have a manual one to get you out of trouble.

• Electric diesel transfer pump: This pump works with a power cord that needs to be plugged into a power outlet socket, the normal voltage is 240V, so compatible with Australian standard power outlets, which makes it easy to use this product. The operation is simple, plug in the cable, turn on the switch and the pump will start working. The main downturn is that you need an electrical power outlet to use this product. So, if you are camping and using your boat in the middle of the ocean, this product will not help you.

• Battery diesel transfer pump: This type of pump combines the convenience of an electrical pump with the mobility of a portable device. All this pump needs to work is a 12V DC battery, commonly found in cars, boats, trucks, tractors and etc. Battery operated transfer pumps are very portable and can be used anywhere, anytime as long as you have a battery as an energy source. One major benefit of this type of pump is high efficiency. It saves you precious time and effort, as manually operated pumps can take a long time to fill up the tank and will definitely drain your energy. They are easy to operate and deliver an accurate amount of fuel to be transferred.

Accessories Good Fuel Transfer Pumps Should Have

The principle of fuel transfer pumps is very simple. However, there are a few accessories that can make the experience of using a specific pump way more easier. 

• Stainless Steel Body: This is very important because it is one major factor to define if the pump will last a few months or a few years. Durable material is crucial when you are dealing with fossil fuels. It pays to spend a little bit more to have a long lasting material pump.

• Decent length cable & hoses: You need to be allowed a good distance, so you can work around large vehicles, such as trucks and tractors. You do not want to carry heavy diesel drums close to the tank, just because the transfer pump does not have a long enough hose. The battery operated pumps will need to be attached to the vehicle battery by an electrical cord. This cord must be long though too. The minimum length will depend upon your usage and the type of vehicle you are using. 

• Welded wire and alligator clips: You want the cord to be attached to the battery the right way. The connection must be reliable. That is why proper electrical cable with alligator clips are needed. 

• Flow Rate: It must be just right. A low flow rate will take a long time to fill the tank. On the other hand, a high flow rate will likely cause spills, being just too hard to be managed. A flow rate of 40m/L has been proven a decent rate for commercial light vehicles and general operation pumps.

• Pump Nozzle: Having one makes the fuel filling process so much easier. Just like in a commercial petrol station, all you have to do is to pull the handle to start the flow and let it go to make it stop. Good quality brands will also have an auto-stop function. It cannot get much easier than that.

• Digital Meter: This will let you know exactly how much fuel you have transferred. If you want an extra control you must have this accessory in your pump. Ultimately, it should not cost much more and will give you the piece of mind of knowing how much fuel you are dealing with. A diesel transfer pump with flow meter makes all the difference.

TecnoTools offer diesel fuel oil transfer pumps with all accessories and features you need to have a reliable and, at the same time, cost effective solution to transfer fuels and fluids. We offer a 12-month warranty, fast shipping Australia wide and click and collect in the major capital cities. Send us an email or call us to know more about our products.