My own personal "gas station"

I don't like the idea of transporting the gasoline; storage is bad enough, but to have a full gas can on the road is really dangerous.

I do like the idea of dumping in a full can and not worrying about a fill-up.

If things get so bad you need to use your stored fuel, forget the darn MPG calculations. You've got bigger problems than that.

 

Maybe not. Our first Montana home was on nearly 6 acres, & we had a 500 gallon propane tank, that fueled one car, the central furnace, the dryer, the hot water heater, and the emergency generater. But it is DESIGNED for long term storage. Gas can and WILL go bad, if not used (anywhere between 6 to 16 weeks).

Then theres those 'plastic' containers. Not safe enough. If you have a bunch, they all must be kept in a flamable liquid / fireproof cabinet (or multiple cabniets) to truly be safe. Otherwise, it's simply an unnecessary risk :target:

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Here's something to consider...

Your own personal Microfuel station. It will probably save you money over the long haul too.

EFuel100, Earth's First Home Ethanol System, a Product of E-Fuel Corporation

 

My only thing here is that you're using a 'approved' storage thingie (either plastic or whatever). I'd be worried for a variety of reasons otherwise, but I think you are already doing that.

If I read it right, I think one was question to start with was 'how do I transfer the fuel?'. Check out Northern Tool (they also have tanks, etc.) Tuthill Fuel Transfer Pump — 12 Volt, 15 GPM, Model# FR1210CANT | DC Powered Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment

I do have a 25g and a 5g portable storage I keep out at my house (well, actually, in a detached barn/garage), since I burn about 3g a week running powered equipment (and, yeah, also as a hedge against the next hurricane...)

Also regarding the EFuel100, from all I've heard, the Prius isn't certified for E85, much less pure Ethanol. The statement on the website that any vehicle can be easily converted I think has had a lot of discussion in other PrChat threads...

 

I've seen where squirrels (or some other critters) got into a garden shed over the winter and chewed through the bottom corner of a plastic gas can, spilling whatever gas was left over from fall. I wouldn't trust a plastic gas can to survive unprotected. Storing in a cabinet or in a critter-proof container would be important.

 

It's all but impossible for a citizen to have a UST here. There are permits, inspections, and also huge liability if and when the thing springs a leak.

The UST must be the modern double wall design, with an inspection port to check for leaks from the inner liner. There must be a drywell next to the UST to check for fuel leaks into the soil.

An AST is the preferred choice here, they are also double wall design. The AST's at my hobby farm are older single-wall that were Grandfathered in. They require routine inspection. On my own initiative I poured a concrete slab with berm retainers and moved the tanks to that area.

 

be carefull for theives. My parents keep their gallons of gas in their shed with the lawnmower and snowblower. plus they live on a dead end street and own 5 acres and have a huge deer fence surrounding their property so Nobody will be breaking in for 5 gallons. Not yet at least

 

That's a problem here. Gangs from Winnipeg are raiding surrounding farms and smaller communities. In theory there is Gun Control in Canada.

What it really means is that criminals have easy access to guns, and civillians cannot defend themselves. Forget about the "justice" system, the punks get bail almost immediately especially if they are underage

 

Tenants displaced by fire irked at neighbors - The Boston Globe

 

Sounds like you have the right ideas on safety, etc. On the basic question of filling the Prius tank, maybe this is a possibility:
Determine approximate number of gallons you need to fill -- divide mpg into miles driven on the consumption screen. Say it comes out 7 gallons. Pour a five-gallon can into the tank. Power ON, let the pips rise to wherever they will. If it looks like you can fill another gallon or two, do that. (I might suggest having a variety of 2- and 3-gallon cans; your call.) Power ON again. Let the pips run up to where they will. This never will attain mathematical certainty, but it might be close -- besides, assuming you are using this plan for emergencies, at that moment in time your exact mpg probably will not be your primary concern.

 

I shall not be engaging in such behaviour. I like my house and I like my family.

One assumes you also rush to the store and buy 18 loaves of bread and 20 pounds of rice if the weather bureau predicts a thunder storm.