help diesel in jerry can left in sun OK ?

[xxhat]

I have several jerry cans with diesel to extend my cruising range.


Is it OK to leave these cansin the sun ?


Will algae or water contaminate the diesel ?


Thanks


jim

[Wotname]

It is fine to leave them in the sun.

I presume these are steel cans, not plastic. If plastic, watch that they don't expand too much from the pressure build up (from getting hot in the sun).

[Tayana42]

Lots of us use plastic jerry cans attached to the rails with sunbrella covers. Usually not a problem.

[Cheechako]

More info really needed. What are you doing? Sailing? storing the boat? etc... I would imagine heat will empower growth in the fuel. But, use it up when you first need more fuel. If storing the boat on the hard maybe put the cans under the boat.

[puffcard]

If full they expand very little, only the air expands. Good for six months no problem, you only get growth in diesel if there is water. Gas with ethanol is a different subject. Huge fuel tanks at ports are sitting in what? The sun.

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by xxhat

I have several jerry cans with diesel to extend my cruising range.


Is it OK to leave these cansin the sun ?


Will algae or water contaminate the diesel ?


Thanks


jim

Been doing that for years with no problem

[Kenomac]

I've had the cheaper plastic containers expand, crack then leak when left outside during the winter. During the summer with constant nighter temps, using higher quality landscaper type plastic containers, no problem.

Don't buy the the expensive cheap quality ones from West Marine, instead buy the less expensive higher quality containers from the garden department at Walmart made from a much sturdier plastic.

[JasonS]

Recommend adding Biobor-HF to all your diesel to inhibit growth. Sunbrella covers are a great idea for diesel jugs to keep sun from breaking down plastics over time

[Allied39]

On deck firmly secured to a solid rail setup with Sunbrella covers works great.
However, be aware that white sunbrella basically has no UV protection.

[mvmojo]

Leaving them in the sun for a few months won't hurt, but it's good practice to pour them into your tanks as soon as you've consumed an equivalent amount of fuel. Get's them out of the sun, puts the weight down lower, keeps thieves from stealing them while you're at anchor, etc...

[Tiemo]

Although this an old thread... It should be pointed out
that there is mis-information in it. As Sailrite and the mfg of Sunbrella say it does have UV protection. Might be why a huge percentage of boats use it.

Imagewww.sailrite.com › PDF › Su...PDF
Sunbrella® Fabric - Sailrite

Q: Do Sunbrella fabrics provide UV protection? A: Sunbrella fabrics have been tested and proven to provide up to 98% UV protection from ...
1 page·110 KB

[Tiemo]

Aha, just saw the comment said "white" Sunbrella has no UV protection. My mistake.

[Tomodore]

After cruising for a decade with plastic jugs for diesel I no longer worry about covering the jugs to protect them from uv. If you do make covers and the handle or bottom has a gap in the cover then that is what fails. On the large scale for our boat we just buy new every few years. Not a big expense and less hassle. Just my 2 cents

[steamgoat]

Put white T shirts on them ,sew up the neck hole, or use colored ones for variety !

[AiniA]

We had plastic ones with no covers in tropical sun for six years. No problem except for the fading of the plastic.