So why do people like these Sceptor can? I don't understand why you would go with a plastic gas tank over the metal ones. The metal ones for me have been bullet proof. Though maybe I'm missing something?
Sceptor vs the Nato, Wedco cans.
- Thread starter Trollhole
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I have the "real " Scepter and I have a steel Wedco. They both suit my needs ............. Even though while under pressure from altitude the Scepter becomes harder to open, I still prefer the Scepter.
I always make sure I keep diesel in the steel Wedco , one year I didnt and condensation got inside.
For me , I find the plastic Scepter tend to be less maintenance and less clanky.
I always make sure I keep diesel in the steel Wedco , one year I didnt and condensation got inside.
For me , I find the plastic Scepter tend to be less maintenance and less clanky.
- Thread starter
- #3
Are the plastic ones as rugged? Do they smell if you leave them inside the car?
The plastic is super rugged. Heck, the US military uses these. I've carried them in my FJ with no smell at all as long as they are sealed tight and don't have spillage on the outside.
They are used by the military, in part because in a vehicle fire a metal can builds pressure and then things get VERY exciting, while the Scepter can melts through before that pressure has a chance to explode the can.
If you read the test protocol that the Scepter cans go through, they are VERY durable. They seal well, and while they aren't literally bullet proof, I'd wager that the Wedco's aren't either
MIL-C-53109 Approval Process
Highlights - fill, drop from 8 feet on concrete on corner, cap (2x), bottom, side. Repeat from 4' at -40deg F.
- Pressure test. 30 psi for 1 hour. 60 psi then check for damage.
- 8 oz plumb bob with sharp point dropped from 24" on each surface.
Any leakage, splitting, rupture in any of these tests constitutes failure.
They're stout. I'd wager that a Wedco dropped from 8' on its cap a couple times would not fare so well.
If you read the test protocol that the Scepter cans go through, they are VERY durable. They seal well, and while they aren't literally bullet proof, I'd wager that the Wedco's aren't either
MIL-C-53109 Approval Process
Highlights - fill, drop from 8 feet on concrete on corner, cap (2x), bottom, side. Repeat from 4' at -40deg F.
- Pressure test. 30 psi for 1 hour. 60 psi then check for damage.
- 8 oz plumb bob with sharp point dropped from 24" on each surface.
Any leakage, splitting, rupture in any of these tests constitutes failure.
They're stout. I'd wager that a Wedco dropped from 8' on its cap a couple times would not fare so well.
IMHO the original NATO (OK, WWII German) "Jerry" can is still the design by which all others are judged.
The Swiss and NATO ones I own have these neat little brackets on front with reflective metal cards that you can slide in to indicate what kind of fuel is contained in the can (e.g. diesel, petrol, kerosene, etc.). Very ingenious since a military organization probably doesn't want to paint its cans of diesel fuel yellow, for example. And neither do it.
The Swiss and NATO ones I own have these neat little brackets on front with reflective metal cards that you can slide in to indicate what kind of fuel is contained in the can (e.g. diesel, petrol, kerosene, etc.). Very ingenious since a military organization probably doesn't want to paint its cans of diesel fuel yellow, for example. And neither do it.
The sceptor can is much tougher than any of the metal ones. MUCH TOUGHER. No rust, no leaks or fumes when closed tight. Fast to empty too.
The "blitz" cans leak and rust, dent and damage easily.
The NATO cans are hard to open when they pressurize fro fuel expanding as it warms. And they are SLOW to empty even if you can find the good spouts (don't count on that either). They also rust of course.
I threw all my blitz cans away (about 20 of them) and my NATO cans have sat on a shelf unused for about 10 years now. If I use 5 gallon cans I use the Sceptors. These days I more often use squarish 15 gallon drums of similar robustness as the Sceptor cans.
Edit: I am talking about the real Mil-spec Sceptors. Not the new carb compliant ones that the weenies and greenies in Ca caused to be born.
Mark...
The "blitz" cans leak and rust, dent and damage easily.
The NATO cans are hard to open when they pressurize fro fuel expanding as it warms. And they are SLOW to empty even if you can find the good spouts (don't count on that either). They also rust of course.
I threw all my blitz cans away (about 20 of them) and my NATO cans have sat on a shelf unused for about 10 years now. If I use 5 gallon cans I use the Sceptors. These days I more often use squarish 15 gallon drums of similar robustness as the Sceptor cans.
Edit: I am talking about the real Mil-spec Sceptors. Not the new carb compliant ones that the weenies and greenies in Ca caused to be born.
Mark...
Last edited:
Edit: I am talking about the real Mil-spec Sceptors. Not the new carb compliant ones that the weenies and greenies in Ca caused to be born.
Mark...
i still can't figure out why the Kalifornians think it's bad to release a little fuel vapor out, but it's perfectly fine to spill a half gallon because of a crappy nozzle design
That, my four wheeling friend, is a mystery to all of us and probably always will be.
Guess them Kalifornicators just think a little differently than normal intelligent folk.
rusty_tlc
Dain Bramaged Member
It's a well intentioned idea had by a bureaucrat, and passed into law by people, most of whom, have probably never mowed their own lawn much less filled a lawn mower or used a gas can to fuel a car. On top of all that the implementation of the law has so far been very poorly done, a lot like the original SMOG systems on cars.
If you want to make some quick money come up with a compliant can and spout design that actually works.
If you want to make some quick money come up with a compliant can and spout design that actually works.
A friend of mine served as a tank mechanic in Iraq. He said there were acres of sceptor cans several layers deep left behind that they could not bring back for environmental reasons.
I have several military grade Sceptor water and fuel cans. I love the water cans. The only complaint I have about the fuel cans is they bloat in the heat. Does anyone else have this problem? Never owned metal, do they do it too?
I have several military grade Sceptor water and fuel cans. I love the water cans. The only complaint I have about the fuel cans is they bloat in the heat. Does anyone else have this problem? Never owned metal, do they do it too?
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It's the nature of the beast.
Gasoline has a relatively low vapor pressure, so boils, self pressurizes with elevated temps. The cans are designed to take it, so no issue.
