Notices
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel 2011-current Ford Powerstroke 6.7 L turbo diesel engine

Gravity feed transfer tank

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 11:45 AM
  #1  
Raptor34's Avatar
Raptor34
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Gravity feed transfer tank

I am wanting to install a gravity feed system on my transfer tank. I am wanting to have it set up so I can flip a switch and let the truck fuel up. I am wanting to set it up with a 15 minute timer so I don’t over fill the tank. Have any of you done this with your truck, and if so, can you share what parts you used to make it work?
The truck is a 2015 F-350.
Thanks,
Dustin
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 02:20 PM
  #2  
Braggs's Avatar
Braggs
Senior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 477
Likes: 3
From a programming standpoint (logic, debugging, testing, QA, etc) that's not a good idea. What happens when you (or someone) hits the button/switch and there's not enough room in the tank? Since the flow rate reduces as the transfer tank empties, are you planning on doing the calculation of volume per second through different size filler tubes and pressures?

Your best bet is to install something like your bathroom toilet has. Fluid flows in until the float closes the supply. Even propane tanks use this technology to prevent over-filling. Looks like it's also wildly used on commercial underground fuel tanks where they are gravity fed from the trucks.

Here's a link to something that's halfway affordable:
http://www.fueldump.co.uk/products/A...ion-Valve.html
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 02:32 PM
  #3  
Raptor34's Avatar
Raptor34
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I was planning on using a switch rather that a button so it can be switched off in the event that it is turned on accidentally, or the tank is full in less than 10-15 minutes. I did a set up with a manual valve on a 2008 GMC for my dad and it flows about a gallon per minute on average. I do have a good friend who is a chemical engineer for an oil company that calculates this type of equation all the time, but based off what I already have seen I’m not to worried about it. My concern was over filling the truck and spilling all the diesel on the ground if something came up and I neglect to turn the valve off, or exceeding the duty cycle on the solenoid and burning it up. I have another friend that has an electronic valve on his 80 gallon tank and he is telling me he will only leak a pint or so if he leaves it open, but only with the truck off.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:04 PM
  #4  
OneCylinder's Avatar
OneCylinder
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, Texas
This kit is designed for constant flow and will not overfill the OEM tank. I bought an aux tank and this kit but haven't installed it.


https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...earch=#3490901
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:07 PM
  #5  
Raptor34's Avatar
Raptor34
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
That is one of the parts Inwill be using. It will also have a 3/8” solenoid valve so I can open it only when it is needed. I’mooming for something electronic to shut off the valve in the event I forget.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:28 PM
  #6  
OneCylinder's Avatar
OneCylinder
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, Texas
If you have a normally closed selenoid valve you can power it through a switch and from a key-on power supply. When you turn the truck off the selenoid-valave will shut. If you are driving and want the selenoid-valve off, turn the switch off. That should be all that you need. If you want a timer, you'll need to search websites like Grainger and look for a 12 volt timer of som kind. Remember though, the RDS kit has a built in floating ball-valve shut-off and a shut-off valve at the aux tank. I personally bought a normally closed selenoid-valve for my set-up in case for some reason I need to shut it off while I'm driving but I would not hessitate installing the kit without the selenoid-valave. The kit has a shut-off valve at the tank in case the floating ball-valve were to fail.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:31 PM
  #7  
Raptor34's Avatar
Raptor34
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Call me paranoid, but I don’t want to trust the rollover valve and just like having a little more control of when the fuel is flowing.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:38 PM
  #8  
OneCylinder's Avatar
OneCylinder
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, Texas
You can never be too safe.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:41 PM
  #9  
Raptor34's Avatar
Raptor34
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Yes you can. That is where EGRs, DPFs and DEF came from.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:47 PM
  #10  
OneCylinder's Avatar
OneCylinder
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, Texas
I can't argue with that.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 08:29 PM
  #11  
Superdave71's Avatar
Superdave71
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 770
Likes: 186
From: Knightstown Indiana
Club FTE Silver Member

I use these at work. We mount them in control panels, but I’m sure you can figure something out. The nice thing is it’s easily adjustable in respect to how much time, and they can be set up for either a normal open or closed valve

https://www.alliedelec.com/idec-corp...2d12/70172620/
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2018 | 10:38 AM
  #12  
Ltripreno's Avatar
Ltripreno
Mountain Pass
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 106
Likes: 6
From: Reno-Tahoe region
I have a similar set up. I have a 40 gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of the truck. A hose goes down to the OEM filler neck.
At the filler neck, there is a device which stops the flow of fuel from auxiliary tank when the OEM tank gets full.. I think it is a ball or something that floats up to block the fuel line.
In the bed of the truck, I have a manual on/off valve. I fill the aux tank with the valve off. When the OEM tank is low, and the truck is parked in the garage, I open the valve. Before I drive away, I close the valve. All OEM guages, computers etc. work normally because I simply filled the tank.
Sometimes I will have the valve open, with fuel flowing, while driving, but rarely.
This has worked for me for 7 years.

Cheers,
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2018 | 01:55 PM
  #13  
dieseldrive's Avatar
dieseldrive
Tuned
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 303
Likes: 35
Ive been doing this for the past 20 years (multiple trucks) with just a small ball valve in the outlet of the aux tank.

Basically, I remove the factory filler neck and braise an 1/4 inch bung (can make by cutting 1/4 union in half) to the outlet a few inches down from the fuel cap. I then mount a spin-on fuel filter (I use a Bosch filter from a VW rabbit) under the bed.

I normally use as much of the stock fuel tank as practical before turning on the ball valve. I have found that with 60 gallons in the aux tank, and the stock tank almost empty when I turn the valve on, the stock tank will start refilling (with finely filtered fuel) very quickly due to the head pressure created by the aux tank (.4 psi per foot) which is more than enough to push fuel through the filter quicker than the engine can burn it. If I am continuing towing my camper (12.5 to 13 MPG) the stock tank will not quite fill all the way up before the trucks fuel gauge starts to drop (it gets almost full), As long as I keep driving, the truck uses the fuel at a rate that it wont overfill the stock tank.But I have stopped and forgotten to turn the valve off before and fuel did not run out the stock tank overflow (check valve in overflow fitting prevents it).

I have an electric valve I plan to install someday for a little piece of mind regarding overflow safety. Plan is to connect it through a switch wired to power only with engine ON.


BTW - my current truck is an 03 7.3 CCSB Lariat, which gives me a range of 1100 plus miles towing my 12K 5er. Last year I had a 2016 CCLB 6.7 Platnum and could get 1000 miles, and that truck held 5 more gallons than the trusty 7.3 (one of the reasons Im back to driving the 7.3 that I bought new.

I have been running this setup in the 7.3 since it was new. I ALWAYS fill the aux tank (even if I am not filling the stock tank) because of the filter set-up. This gives me the benefit of "pre-filtering" my diesel fuel before it goes into the trucks tank. This means that the stock filter of the 7.3 stays much cleaner/last longer, and the HEUI systems gets only ultra-clean fuel (I have never found anything in the stock filter bowl).

The Bosch filters from the VW application are very good filters and the elements are inexpensive. To use this set-up you can get a filter base from a rabbit diesel and the proper fittings, or get the filter from an 85 to 86 gold or jetta and just connect it to your hose (its not a spin-on, and costs more). The spin-on is best (easiest) in the long haul, but it takes more effort/parts up front to hook it up because the threads are straight metric (not pipe), so you have to find metric fittings to make it work .

I'll see if i can dig up some photos
 
Attached Images      
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2018 | 02:12 PM
  #14  
TeamMudd's Avatar
TeamMudd
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: central Louisiana
I have been looking into this idea for a while now. I'd like to set something up with an electronic solenoid or pump at the bottom of a tank instead of a manual valve. I like the Kit from northern tool, now to find a "reasonable" priced 15 or 20 gal fuel tank HA.
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2018 | 02:15 PM
  #15  
dieseldrive's Avatar
dieseldrive
Tuned
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 303
Likes: 35
12 volt valves are easy to come by. To me the pump set-up is overkill (and not as reliable as gravity (natures pump).
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:52 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE