Can Fill-Rite Fuel Transfer Pump Manual Options Sit Outside Year Round?

Published 03/03/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Fill-Rite Manual Piston Fuel Transfer Pump Kit - Hose, Spout, and Suction Pipe

$260.31

Fill-Rite Manual Rotary Fuel Transfer Pump Kit - Hose, Spout, and Suction Pipe

$257.79

Question:

I don’t use my diesel drum very often - maybe once or twice a month. Is a manual pump still a good choice? And will it wear out sitting outside?

asked by: Larry

Expert Reply:

Larry, for occasional use like that, a manual pump is actually a great fit.

Both the Fill-Rite Rotary Pump # FR98XQ and the Manual Piston Pump # FR53XQ are built with cast aluminum bodies, so they’re designed to hold up in shop or outdoor storage conditions. Since they don’t rely on motors or wiring, there’s less to worry about if they sit unused for stretches, and you don't have to worry about waterproofing any electrical connections or wires since there aren't any!

The main difference comes down to operation style:

The # FR98XQ is a hand crank pump rated at 10 gallons per 100 rotations, plus reversible flow.

The # FR53XQ is a lever stroke rated at 20 gallons per 100 strokes for quicker transfers, (cannot reverse flow for draining)
For once-or-twice-a-month fueling, either one should serve you well.

Is your drum covered, or is it exposed to the weather year-round, Larry?

expert reply by: Andrew N

Larry

3/3/2026

It’s under a lean-to but not fully enclosed. Mostly protected from rain.

Andrew N.

3/3/2026

@Larry That setup would be just fine, Larry. Being under a lean-to keeps direct rain off the pump, which helps. If you really want to keep it protected, you could put a cover or something over the nozzle and/or pump for more protection against the sun and dirt etc. Since you’re using it occasionally, giving it a few strokes or rotations every so often to keep things moving internally isn’t a bad idea either.