Customer Reviews

Sierra-Tools 83-4840V Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Siphon Pump

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

I decided to take a chance with this product after running all over town to find something like it. Since I live in "hurricane country" the need to transfer gasoline for use in generators, etc is present all the time. I store the gas for my generator in 5 gallon cans, which when full, are very heavy. I was skeptical, but it worked better than I expected. It took me about 4-5 minutes to pump 2.5 gallons into my generator tank. I did not have to lift the can and did not risk spilling gas. Since it is battery powered it can be used when the power is out. All in all, I would recommend it for the average home user as long as it's not for heavy duty use.

This item works as described and is exactly what I need. The new gas tanks purchased from CA are, as you likely know, horrible on the environment, your back, and the gas bill. This item lets me pump the gas without spilling fuel all over. It pumps about 5 gallons in five-ten minutes. Not speedy, but it is reasonable and gives me time to tend to other matters. (I pump two 5 gal tanks onto my boat right at my dock.)
The hose included is cheap material, so be prepared to buy a higher quality and longer hose. (3/4 inside dia. with a hose clamp. 5' is what I have.) Also - unless this pump is exactly upright it will leak a little through the vent hole, not a big deal, just set it well and you're good.
It is simple construction so I expect it will last quite a while. The parts are lightweight and seem a little cheap, otherwise it'd get 5 stars.

I have a bad back, and it has been difficult to fill the gasoline tank on my lawn tractor and generator when gas can is nearly full. Even not full, it requires holding the tank at an odd angle. I did not have high expectations for this, but thought it would be worth a try.

The answer after my first try: It exceeded all expectations. The flow was fast enough to fill my tank in a minute or so (maybe less), but slow enough to feel easily controllable. The plastic outlet tube has a couple of places where it can bend easily without crimping (a bellows kind of arrangement like a kids bendy-straw). The switch is conveniently located on the top of the handle. When you turn off the switch the flow stops quickly and both the outlet hose and the 'wand' in the tank drain quickly. When I took it out of the tank, there were no drips, though not surprisingly it still smelled of gas. (I left it outside in the sun for a while and then stored it in a sheltered, but outside location.)

I half expected it to say "not for flammable liquds" or something. It did warn about not using it for paint thinner, but it is pretty explicit about being ok for gasoline. Note that the pump impeller is at the bottom of the wand that sticks in the gas tank, and the motor, switch, and batteries at the top so the electrical stuff is fairly far from the gasoline.

One possible caveat: They warn not to pump to a level higher than the top of the wand. I'm not sure why that is. I don't imagine that pump has ALL that much lift It was ok for my tractor, but I'm not sure if it will be for the generator. Another thing, when I put the gas can on the ground beside the tractor (actually in a little wagon so I can wheel the gas can out), the clear hose was just long enough to reach. I expect you could extend it but then you have to worry about a leaking splice.

Caution: I would guess that if you were pumping from a higher place to a lower place, you could start a siphon that would not stop when you turned off the switch. I would also not recommend using it the way it is shown in the picture, holding the tank with one hand and the hose with the other (and not holding the wand). The wand is a bit top heavy with the batteries in the top (2 D-cells) plus I want my hand on the switch at all times. I put the tank on a little cart that lifted it high enough to use.


So if is not for everything. Like one of the reviewers says, it is NOT for pumping out of a car gas tank. You need a long straight shot into the tank you are pumping from. The bendy-plastic pipe is for the outlet side. However, with all the cautions, it is exactly what *I* wanted, hence the 5-star rating.

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Update December 2009: Ok, I now know why you should not pump to a place higher than the pump...apparently something above the outlet for the plastic tubing is not sealed, so if the tubing outlet is higher, it can leak. The leak runs down the suction pipe, not all over the place, but it is still disconcerting.

I still like this unit...you just have to follow the directions.

Oh, and btw, if you look at the review it says the product is not available. It is, if you search for it by name. And this review is there too. Odd.

This was plan C. . after two unsuccessful attempts with other products. Wanted to pump some acid out of a 5-gallon container into a small plastic beaker, so I wanted something easy to use, easy to control, and not expensive. This product is great. . 2 duracell batteries and away I go. It would not be applicable to a high volume pumping situation, say your basement is flooded. But light duty = great

This battery power pump is great for any use anywhere. From transfer of gas to pumping water out of your boat, this little pump will perform.

An excellent product so long as it is operative.The on/off switch located in the end cap is very fragile.This causes the pump to suddenly stop working.Nor does it appear to be repairable.Sirra Tools does not reply to E-Mail questions

Well after a long hesitation,I finally purchased "Sierra Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Pump". I have tried several pump and none of them work for me. The purpose of my purchase is to transfer cooking oil from the big oil container to the small oil container that use in the kitchen. It save mega buck to buy cooking oil in large container from BJ/SAM CLUB compare to buy small bottle @ Safeway, Giants etc.
It works on my initial try. It is a quick transfer and there is NO mess to clean up. I gave just 4 stars because when liquid came out, it fills only 1/4 on the transfer clear pipe. I was expecting at least 1/2 fill. But it works compare to other junk I had, it is a four stars beauty.

I needed something to transfer several gallons of 'ethanol' gasoline from my boat fuel tank. Ordered the Sierra Tools pump hoping it would finish the job after siphoning. Decided to try it before the siphon. It pumped approx 13 1/2 gal & completely emptied the tank in less than 15min without missing a beat & that time includes changing gas cans twice. I'm pleased & gratified at receiving a moderately priced item that performs as promised!

Sierra Tools Battery-Operated Liquid Transfer PumpI find this pump very useful. I use it to fill my Generator, Lawn Mower and car. It's very easy to use.

Ah, what hopes we all have for a bargain. And most anything under $10 is just that. And yet... and yet... along comes the JB4840 Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Pump. Now, we live out in the hinterlands of Georgia - don't get much more hinter than this - and we needed something simple to, well, transfer liquids... fuel a small tractor, remove water from the catch basin around the old Christmas tree. Ol' JB arrives... works for 3 minutes... we put it away, our new and treasured bargain... we take it out for its big presentation to Georgian mechanized society... she don't work no more. We go through 3 sets of batteries, just to be sure... nothing. Alas, a fool and his $10 soon are parted. Don't try to check the seals; the thing is held together by faith alone, fashioned of plastic fittings cheaper than the promise of a local politician (school board AND county). I've given it one star because of the bright colors on the box. Perhaps the box will work as a siphon? I envy those who have been able to use theirs once, let alone twice.