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wjbusguy
Active Member
United States
42 Posts |
 Posted - 06/04/2015 : 1:51:30 PM
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We are getting the first bus that requires DEF, what are you guys with small fleets using for DEF dispensers? Was thinking about buying it in 55 gal barrels and using a hand pump for now. Where do I go looking for a DEF compatible hand pump? Or should I just get an electric pump? Opinions?
Mike |
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eddo
Advanced Member
USA
311 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2015 : 3:08:29 PM
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I have 2 DEF trucks, and for now I am just buying the 2.5 gallon jugs as I need them. I'm told that the DEF will go "bad" if left too long, left too hot, or left too cold, so I'd rather have 2.5 gallons go bad that 55 gallons.
:) |
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krmvcs
Advanced Member
362 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2015 : 3:27:38 PM
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| if youve only got the one unit you might not want to spend the money on a drum, dolly, pump system... unless you put a lot of miles on it. as far as a hand pump goes the cheap all plastic one is the way to go. they are cheap mind you at about 10 bucks or so. i had to replace it twice through 3 55 gal drums until i ponied up the cash for the dolly and electric pump setup. i use it up quick with 5 units, and keep it inside and out of the sun. all is well. |
-Ken- |
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Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2015 : 05:04:24 AM
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| We have three buses that use it and I still just buy the 2 1/2 gallon jugs. You will use about 2 1/2 gallons of DEF for every 100 gallons of diesel fuel, in our case its no more than one jug per week per bus. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
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baptistbusman1
Senior Member
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2015 : 06:33:32 AM
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| it's always been easier for us to get the 55 gal drum with the hand pump. Every time a bus is in the garage for a PM, I pump it full, no matter how far down it is. I get criticized all the time, "It's not even down one bar on the gauge and your filling it up!" I just figure 10 pumps one day here and there is easier than 40 or 50 to bring it up from almost empty. And we have never had any DEF go bad from sitting around. |
I was formally Baptistbusman. However, I lost my password, and had not updated my email address.
Here is a link to my old posts. http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum/search.asp?mode=DoIt&MEMBER_ID=1846 |
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krmvcs
Advanced Member
362 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2015 : 07:17:59 AM
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@ baptist. agreed. and i dont totally trust the level indicator on the dash. ive had on a few occasions seen the gauge read full and physically had an empty tank. and visa versa. (float stuck in the tank) the ecm trusts the sending unit in the tank by the way over the output conditions of the scr. ie, check engine/derate if the sending unit reads empty but actually full, and no check engine/derate when physically empty, gauge reading full, and no catalytic reaction occurring. they also say that the engine will not use all of the fluid in the tank between 45d/3k inspections, but i have found this is not always the case depending on route conditions and driver habits.
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-Ken- |
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dferrell
Senior Member
102 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2015 : 08:04:44 AM
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| We currently have 2 DEF busses and we buy it in 55 gal. barrels. It is stored under cover but outside. We go from the upper 20's in winter to over 100 in summer and we have never had an issue with it going bad. I think we probably go through around a barrel a year. It seems to work for us. |
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C2FAN
Senior Member
United States
114 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2015 : 09:42:14 AM
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FYI -For you guys. DEF does not go "bad". If left in direct sunlight or extremely high temperatures for long enough(over a year) it will degrade slightly, causing your bus or truck to use a little more of it to get the proper reduction in emissions.
The price difference between a 2.5 gallon jug and a 55 gallon drum is large enough where you should be buying it in 55 gallon drums if you have more than one bus using DEF. |
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57fan
Senior Member
United States
148 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2015 : 9:40:31 PM
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| here is a link to Cummins concerning DEF. we have a 250 gallon container and electric pump set up. We have 9 buses that use DEF and have had no issues with it at all. We started with 2.5 gallon jugs, then to 55 gallon drums (never found a decent pump that did not leak DEF) then progressed to the 250 gallon container as we got more buses. We also top off the tanks every time the buses come in to the garage or when the drivers notice the tanks are about 50%. A electric pump with a long hose is a plus. Our tank is in the shop next to a door so we can run the hose outside and fill the buses. Congrats on your new DEF bus and there is nothing to be worried about. Common sense and you'll be fine. |
Lead, Follow or get out of the way! Thomas Paine |
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57fan
Senior Member
United States
148 Posts |
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wjbusguy
Active Member
United States
42 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2015 : 07:10:48 AM
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| Thanks for the replys everyone. I decided to go with 55 gal barrels. Does anybody have a specific brand of electric pump they use? |
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krmvcs
Advanced Member
362 Posts |
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bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2015 : 10:47:55 AM
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| Wow, what a pain. I'm glad I don't own any. Good luck with it though. |
Bryan |
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Troy87
Senior Member
United States
52 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2015 : 04:18:46 AM
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| We have 45 buses with the DEF system. 330 gallon tank with electric pump. Cummins told us, as long as the DEF is kept in a controlled temperature environment, i.e.: inside not out, the DEF will stay good up to 12 months. Haven't had a problem so far. We also top off all tanks everytime we bring them into the shop for anything. |
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wjbusguy
Active Member
United States
42 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2015 : 06:47:15 AM
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Found a place local to me that manufactures DEF and sells dispensing equipment, going to go check it out today, see what all they have.
http://www.usadefllc.com/ |
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eddo
Advanced Member
USA
311 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2015 : 07:26:49 AM
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I should have added with my earlier post, that my two trucks only have 3.5-5 gallon DEF tanks on them.
Good to know that others have not had a DEF going bad issue. :) |
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Thomasbus24
Administrator
USA
4546 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2015 : 2:41:29 PM
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With 8 buses using it and 2-4 more coming in a few months, I just switched to the 330 gallon tote from 55 drums. I'm projecting using around 300 gallons next year and it was nearly $0.50/gallon cheaper that way. I just had to buy a different adapter to connect my pump to it.
I buy from Napa, the blue DEF brand, its a closed system to help avoid contamination. Just watch for sales, buy then, and its smooth sailing. Honestly, a lot better than I first thought it would be when it first came about.
You might find BWC grant money for an electric pump if you play your cards right. I got mine that way since it eliminates carrying containers and lessens skin/chemical contact. |
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Topic |
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DEF storage?
