How to use a fuel transfer pump 

Fuel transfer pumps are crucial for moving fuel between tanks or fueling vehicles via a dispensing nozzle. Different pumps are compatible with different fuels, so you must have the right pump for the fuel you want to transfer. At Western Global, we produce pumps for diesel, HVO and AdBlue. 

Western Global pumps are hard-wearing and durable, but this article explores a few things you can do to avoid potential problems and extend their lifespan.

Top tips for avoiding problems with your pump

Working with a 12-volt pump is different to using a mains pump. The advantage is that they’re transportable and run from a battery, meaning you can pump fuel miles from a mains electricity supply. However, it does mean that a low voltage is running through a powerful pump, with between 30 and 40 amps of current normally powering the pump, and this has the potential to cause issues. Read on for some handy tips on how to avoid any problems.

Charge your battery

A half-full or dead battery can cause significant problems in your pump. Ensure your battery is fully charged before pumping.

Inspect your cables

Take a look at your cables and ensure there’s no damage. Overcurrent can damage the cables or blow a fuse, so ensure these are in good working order. 

Most pumps will be supplied with 2 or 4 metres of cable. Don’t modify these under any circumstances. They’ve been carefully designed to work with your pump, and any alterations could affect its performance or cause damage. 

Keep an eye on your duty cycle

A 12-volt pump can get hot when it’s in use. This is completely normal. But you do need to be mindful of the pump’s duty cycle. The duty cycle is the period you can run the pump before you need to let it cool down. The limit is generally between 15 and 30 minutes.

Once you’ve reached the duty cycle, turn off the pump and allow it to cool down before reusing it.

Turn your pump off as soon as possible

Once you’ve finished filling up, turn off the pump as soon as possible. If it runs while the nozzle is closed, it will go into bypass mode. This means fuel is spinning inside the cavity, and the pump will quickly overheat.

Let’s go to work

Our fuel transfer pumps are rugged and reliable – requiring little to keep performing. To ensure they’re working at their best, take a look at our Pump Service Pack which contains everything you need for heavy-duty fuel pumping.

The pumps are just part of what makes our fuel storage tanks so great. Browse our range of tanks here.