Aux Tank Experience?

[indycole]

To me, that reads that one must either 1) have available capacity in the main to transfer the entire contents of the aux tank, or 2) manually shut off the transfer pump when the main gauge reads full(ish) lest the fuel overage continually drain from the main back to aux, continually running the pump. Am I missing something here?

Yep, that's how it'd work if you don't shut the pump off. The only thing I'd add is that it takes the main gauge a while to catch up. If I know I have more fuel in the aux tank than I'm missing from the main, then I normally turn off the pump manually when I'm a tick-or-two below full on the fuel gauge.

 

[edwardg]

Thanks @indycole - that's great real-world data.

I'm curious if anyone so far has gone to the trouble of wiring the pump to shut off when the main reads full as alluded to in the instructions.

 

[Markuson]

Thanks @indycole - that's great real-world data.

I'm curious if anyone so far has gone to the trouble of wiring the pump to shut off when the main reads full as alluded to in the instructions.

It’s not a big deal if the pump runs after full...since it’s not under any particular strain. As you’ve mentioned...it just overflows back into the sub. It’s not a fast filler... although I found a faster pump (about 2-3x as fast). I’ve forgotten to turn it off a time or two...but not a problem. It also stops when ignition turns off...

PS. When sub tank **is** empty, it beeps...turns ti red LED...and then shuts itself off.

 

[I Eat Glue]

... all I had to do was move the pump from front to back.

 

[Markuson]

^^literally lol

 

[Whiskerz]

A few pages back it was not clear. Can I keep my spare under the truck with a 24 gallon tank?

 

[VooDoo2]

Forgive me if i get this wrong as our cars are setup a little differently.

Standard we have a 93L belly tank and a 45L sub tank above the spare. There are a few larger sub tanks from 90L to 185L. The smaller ones generally allow the spare to stay there, the larger ones.. no hope. We also have some combo tanks with increased fuel and a water tank combined. We also have some models that came out with only the 93L belly tank and no sub tank. Fitting an AUX tank to these is harder as the filler and plumbing all needs changing.

 

[Whiskerz]

Forgive me if i get this wrong as our cars are setup a little differently.

Standard we have a 93L belly tank and a 45L sub tank above the spare. There are a few larger sub tanks from 90L to 185L. The smaller ones generally allow the spare to stay there, the larger ones.. no hope. We also have some combo tanks with increased fuel and a water tank combined. We also have some models that came out with only the 93L belly tank and no sub tank. Fitting an AUX tank to these is harder as the filler and plumbing all needs changing.

Looking around the Toyota parts catalog in Australia I saw the sub tank and main tank in the parts list. In America we get one 98.4 liter tank. and that is all. No options. We also get one engine and transmission combination. If we want a fancier trim package you go to the Lexus dealer. We also can not buy some of the dealer items like bumpers that are for sale over there.

 

[Blasst]

Can someone please tell me if a light was supposed to come with my aux gas button/gauge. I was under impression it was supposed to have a light but did not receive one. I was told it was being sent but never got it. So now I'm confused.....haven't seen anyone else's to compare.

As far as filling the main tank...finally got it figured out where it fills fast enough....still slow but definitely worth having my extra 40 aux tank....

 

[Markuson]

A few pages back it was not clear. Can I keep my spare under the truck with a 24 gallon tank?

No.
With the 13 you can.

 

[Whiskerz]

No.
With the 13 you can.

The problem I have is with the spare on the back of the LC it is too long for the garage . I will have to work on this problem

 

[Markuson]

Can someone please tell me if a light was supposed to come with my aux gas button/gauge. I was under impression it was supposed to have a light but did not receive one. I was told it was being sent but never got it. So now I'm confused.....haven't seen anyone else's to compare.

As far as filling the main tank...finally got it figured out where it fills fast enough....still slow but definitely worth having my extra 40 aux tank....

No light other than the LEDs within the button unit. As I’ve mentioned before...you CAN use a faster pump, but in my case it required a bit of electrical fiddling by Valley Hybrids as voltage draw was different. I’d suggest talking with Georg if that’s something you wish to do. I ordered my own pump version and they installed using it...instead of the slower standard unit.

 

[Blasst]

yeah that is what I mean. I have no Led's on mine. So can't see it at night or the gauge. I was told they forgot to include the led light and Ward was sending it. But it's been several months. Guess I need to follow up myself with Ward. Easy thing for those guys to forget. Thanks for the info.
Jim

 

[Blasst]

Actually it seems like the Led's would be attached to the unit. Anyone know. Maybe my mechanic goofed up and the LED's are in there?

Are the LED's supposed to be already attached to the button?

 

[Markuson]

yeah that is what I mean. I have no Led's on mine. So can't see it at night or the gauge. I was told they forgot to include the led light and Ward was sending it. But it's been several months. Guess I need to follow up myself with Ward. Easy thing for those guys to forget. Thanks for the info.
Jim

Just call them or call Georg at Valley Hybrids.
You definitely want the LEDs! Would drive me nuts being unable to monitor as it not only indicates an active pump, empty-beep...but also has four additional LEDs to indicate tank level in 1/4tank increments.

 

[TeCKis300]

Actually it seems like the Led's would be attached to the unit. Anyone know. Maybe my mechanic goofed up and the LED's are in there?

Are the LED's supposed to be already attached to the button?

The only thing I have with my 12.5 is the single integrated controller with pump switch, fill level readout, and all lighting integrated.

 

[Blasst]

The only thing I have with my 12.5 is the single integrated controller with pump switch, fill level readout, and all lighting integrated.

View attachment 1881055

yep....sounds like mine is just not hooked up correctly or else is defective. Thanks a lot for the pic. I think mine was just defective. The guy that installed mine knows what he's doing.

 

[Itsky]

Hello, I’m curious for those of you with these tanks. What is your observed highway range as your vehicle is built?

 

[Markuson]

Hello, I’m curious for those of you with these tanks. What is your observed highway range as your vehicle is built?

I have the 24:

Range is now a bit more than doubled...because instead of using only 20 gallons (hitting the filling station when about 4 gallons left & the warning light comes on), I can now comfortably use 44 gallons (more than double 20) and still have the 4 gallon cushion.

This is an often-overlooked advantage.
-You finally use your sub tank’s full capacity without worry...where you leave a reserve in your main. 24 more gallons you can entirely use up (vs 24.6 in main, but over the last few gallons).

 

[Blasst]

My range is about 1000 with the 40 gallon tank. My rig is not as heavy as some of these guys. )