PC Challenger long range fuel tank otions?

[Drewy]

I've just started working at TJM and have seen a different way to go. Enmach Industries do diesel tanks which could be mounted in hard to use areas, essentially they are just going to act as a fixed Jerry can mounted somewhere in/on the car. but with filler hoses and pumps if needed. just another way to go if you don't like the idea of parting with $1500 - $2000 or messing with the factory tank.

[coughy]

from here

http://www.enmachind.com.au/product-category/poly-rv-products/rv-4wd-diesel-tanks/page/2/

[Drewy]

from here

http://www.enmachind.com.au/product-...-tanks/page/2/

that's them mate, i know i would be able to fit a couple of nice size tanks between my draws and back seat.

[wil55n]

What's the safety considerations for storing diesel within car cabins?

[old Jack]

Diesel is much safer than petrol but even petrol can be carried safely inside.

If it is a removable tank then it must be vented to the existing fuel system.

If it is in jerry cans these must be sealed, best kept upright and well secured. Biggest issue with jerry cans inside the vehicle, apart from lids not sealing correctly, is straight after filling them up if you get some spillage on the outside of the container, this needs to be washed of with detergent and water otherwise you do get an odour. I use the diesel I carrying in jerry cans only when there is no other option to get fuel, prefer to put a jerry in at camp in the evening than on the side of the road. When I have had to do roadside refuel then the empty jerry goes on the roof rack until it is refilled or that night at camp.

If you can smell fuel then you have a problem!

cheers, OJ.

[supazuk]

What's the safety considerations for storing diesel within car cabins?

Main thing is you don't want them smacking you in the back of the head in a rollover. I always make sure heavy things are tied down. No issue with actually carrying fuel in a car, I carry fuel in a aircraft several times a year so can't see why a car would be an issue.

[spot01]

A few other points to note re carrying jerry cans of diesel in the car:
- don't overfill, ie, only put 20L in a 20L jerry, as the remaining empty space is to allow for expansion
- keep upright, make sure they seal properly & are designed for fuel usage
- try to keep them away from direct sunlight & try to keep the inside of the car from getting super-heated if parked in the sun

[wil55n]

Thanks for the advice guys!

[shortSteve]

Ok, review time...and another question.
First up, have been very happy with the tank, i'm not the type of guy that runs the tanks to empty, so usually fill up with around 1/4 showing on the guage, 800km's and 80-85Litres. Now, I am in the process of planning a Simpson trip and working on an offroad range of 700km (absolute worst case, allowing for 100km buffer and 100km of sightseeing).
From experience, beach running usually around 15L/100km, so using a figure of 17L/100km to give me a bit of a safety buffer. Based on this, I require something like 119Litres of fuel. All seemed fine, 1 jerry can and a full tank, so I thought I would see how much useable fuel capacity I have and work backwards from there...
Now, I know the capacity is 112Litres, I would assume 10-15L as unusable, so was hoping to get close to 100L in the tank. First test was drive to fuel light (and, again, I appreciate the fuel float isn't calibrated for a different tank, same with the reserve/fill fuel light). was a bit under 850km, and spot on 85L. Next, drive to 0km range on Distance To Empty guage (which actually stops at 50km...). was a fill of 92L. Guage was just past empty and had travelled just under 900km. Now, am in the process of running to empty. Fuel light came on around 830km, have done 80km since, guage is not reading at all but car keeps going...
So, question to others, how many usable litres does your long range tank actually hold, compared to how many litres the capacity is?


Will update in the next day or so while stopped on the side of the road filling from the emergency jerry can...

sS

[Pwoffey]

When I first filled my new 81L LRA auxiliary tank I got almost 83L into it. Since then I haven't ever managed more than 72L and that's transferring as much diesel from auxiliary to main tank as I can and with the Paj nose down and filling just about up to the top of the filler pipe. It's a bit hard to know when the aux tank is empty 'cos the little red empty light starts to flash, but then if you keep going it eventually stays on. The internal pump requires lubrication from the diesel to function and the instructions say NOT to operate the transfer pump with no fuel. I now stop transfer when the red light first flashes, just to be on the safe side.

I haven't done a Simpson crossing (yet!) and I expect fuel consumption will differ a lot depending on driver, weight of vehicle, route & detours, and state of the sand dunes etc. Just as a general guide, this is what Dave Cox at Mt Dare says:
==========
FUEL
Work out when extra fuel is really needed and, only fill jerry cans when necessary. There's no need to carry more fuel just to save $5 or $10 at the pump, the extra weight will do more harm than good increasing wear and tear on the vehicle and tyres. Ask people who know for advice on how much fuel to carry in the outback area that you will be traveling in. The amount will vary depending on the type of 4x4 and if it is towing.

Fuel quantities to cross the Simpson are as follows,

Large 4x4 (Nissan Patrol) - Diesel 150L expect to use 100L - 125L, ULP 200L expect to use 130L-170L
Medium 4x4 (Toyota Prado) - Diesel 140L expect to use 95L - 120L, ULP 180L expect to use 120L-155L
Small 4x4 (Holden Colorado) - Diesel 130L expect to use 85L - 115L, ULP 160L expect to use 110L-140L
Tiny 4x4 (Suzuki Siera) - ULP 110L expect to use 65L - 95L

These quantities include LPG (if applicable) all fuel tanks and jerry cans. For example, a Landcruiser on Gas would have 90L of LPG and 90L of petrol and so would only need 1 -20L jerry can to total the 200L required.

If you are towing a camper trailer an additional 40L of Diesel and 60L of ULP would be required. We only recomment very experienced people with medium to large 4wd's attempt this. Travelling in a convoy with a vehicle that's not towing is also strongly recommended.
========

Happy planning

[wasarangie]

I have a B/davis tank, 107lt. Often put 100 - 105 lt in at a fill. When tank was new it actually took 112lt from dry. when the light comes on the most I have driven is 115klm and still running.

I carry 2 jerry cans on the trailer and as Pwoffey stated only fill them when I have concerns about distance to next fuel.

[shortSteve]

When I first filled my new 81L LRA auxiliary tank I got almost 83L into it. Since then I haven't ever managed more than 72L and that's transferring as much diesel from auxiliary to main tank as I can and with the Paj nose down and filling just about up to the top of the filler pipe. It's a bit hard to know when the aux tank is empty 'cos the little red empty light starts to flash, but then if you keep going it eventually stays on. The internal pump requires lubrication from the diesel to function and the instructions say NOT to operate the transfer pump with no fuel. I now stop transfer when the red light first flashes, just to be on the safe side.

I haven't done a Simpson crossing (yet!) and I expect fuel consumption will differ a lot depending on driver, weight of vehicle, route & detours, and state of the sand dunes etc. Just as a general guide, this is what Dave Cox at Mt Dare says:
==========
FUEL
Work out when extra fuel is really needed and, only fill jerry cans when necessary. There's no need to carry more fuel just to save $5 or $10 at the pump, the extra weight will do more harm than good increasing wear and tear on the vehicle and tyres. Ask people who know for advice on how much fuel to carry in the outback area that you will be traveling in. The amount will vary depending on the type of 4x4 and if it is towing.

Fuel quantities to cross the Simpson are as follows,

Large 4x4 (Nissan Patrol) - Diesel 150L expect to use 100L - 125L, ULP 200L expect to use 130L-170L
Medium 4x4 (Toyota Prado) - Diesel 140L expect to use 95L - 120L, ULP 180L expect to use 120L-155L
Small 4x4 (Holden Colorado) - Diesel 130L expect to use 85L - 115L, ULP 160L expect to use 110L-140L
Tiny 4x4 (Suzuki Siera) - ULP 110L expect to use 65L - 95L

These quantities include LPG (if applicable) all fuel tanks and jerry cans. For example, a Landcruiser on Gas would have 90L of LPG and 90L of petrol and so would only need 1 -20L jerry can to total the 200L required.

If you are towing a camper trailer an additional 40L of Diesel and 60L of ULP would be required. We only recomment very experienced people with medium to large 4wd's attempt this. Travelling in a convoy with a vehicle that's not towing is also strongly recommended.
========

Happy planning

Cheers for that, had read it previously, and I am sure my calcs are on the safe side, just always a worry when you are a few litres short hahaha

[shortSteve]

I have a B/davis tank, 107lt. Often put 100 - 105 lt in at a fill. When tank was new it actually took 112lt from dry. when the light comes on the most I have driven is 115klm and still running.

I carry 2 jerry cans on the trailer and as Pwoffey stated only fill them when I have concerns about distance to next fuel.

Well, I am on 120km since reserve, the guage doesn't budge when the vehicle is stopped/turned on, and is still going...

Can't be long now!

[shortSteve]

ok, have the answers now... Only got down the road before it started spluttering, 125km since reserve light came on. Put 10L in it from the jerry can, drove straight to servo (just over 10kms) and fill took 91L. So, tank has a usable volume, in my car, of 100Litres. somewhere around 85-87L before reserve light comes on. Seems the last 10 or so Litres is unusable with the current tank/pickup arrangement. Pretty close to what I expected, woulda maybe liked another 5L but not gonna change things in the big scheme of planning.
So for the Simpson trip, gives me a guaranteed 120L with 1 jerry can. So by my calculations, as long as my sand fuel economy is better than 20L/100km average, will not have any problems with only 1 jerry can.
Will take a long beach run next weekend to get an idea of actual sand economy, but pretty sure my initial calcs of 15-17L/100km will be accurate

sS

[itsamitsi]

Have gone with an Outback Accessories 112L tank, will see how it all goes when I get it fitted in a couple of weeks

sS

Hey Steve, I have spoken to Outback accessories and they don't have a tank for the PB/PC Challenger. Is the one you had fitted in a Chally or Triton? It appears only BD have one for the Challenger that I can find and I'm looking at main replacement not an auxiliary in the back type.