Can a marine priming bulb pump uphill?

[belfert]

I need to add alcohol to one of my air tanks.  I got all the fittings attached to do this, but my $3.79 siphon bulb pump isn't designed to pump up and won't work.  It wants the liquid to be above wherever you are pumping to.  I can't put the liquid above the air tank.

Will a marine priming bulb like BW suggested work in this case?  Can it pump uphill?  I have some other electric pumps, but the alcohol is extremely flammable so I'm not going to use electric.

Yes, yes, the days are quickly ticking by to leaving for Arcadia, but I have to get this done hopefully tonight.  I am only going to fill the tank immediately after the air dryer.

[Busted Knuckle]

I need to add alcohol to one of my air tanks.  I got all the fittings attached to do this, but my $3.79 siphon bulb pump isn't designed to pump up and won't work.  It wants the liquid to be above wherever you are pumping to.  I can't put the liquid above the air tank.

Will a marine priming bulb like BW suggested work in this case?  Can it pump uphill?  I have some other electric pumps, but the alcohol is extremely flammable so I'm not going to use electric.

Yes, yes, the days are quickly ticking by to leaving for Arcadia, but I have to get this done hopefully tonight.  I am only going to fill the tank immediately after the air dryer.

Yes Brian a "marine priming bulb" should be able to pump up hill.
If that doesn't work another thought is to get a small bottle with a "nipple" such as a pop bottle with a nipple off a gear lube bottle or similar set up and get the bottle even with or above the port and aim the nipple into the tank while squeezing the bottle. (might have to repeat as needed, since this is not the most efficient way, but does work when necessary!)
 BK  

[Jeremy]

I have a device intended for bleeding brakes which is ideal for this type of thing; it's simply a plastic bottle with two tubes coming out - one tube ends in a tyre valve thingy (the sort of fitting that foot pumps and small air compressors have for inflating tyres), whilst the other tube is simply a bit of soft & flexible pipe which can be slipped over bleed nipples and the like.

Whatever liquid you're dealing with is put into the bottle, and the tyre-valve thingy is attached to an air supply (ie., a tyre). The liquid is then forced out of the other tube and into whatever awkward thing you're trying to get it into.

Jeremy

[belfert]

Bryce has given me a couple of ideas that might work easier than what I was planning to do.

I'm going to try a spray pump bottle aimed into the hole first and then the marine primer bulb if that fails.

[dickegler]

I just use a 20oz pop bottle. Drill a hole and insert apiece of 1/4" nylon brake tube, or vinyl tubing, and squeeze. Just throw away when done.

Dickegler

[norules]

It will help to hold the marine squeeze bulb with the arrows pointing up.

This is a common problem -

holding the arrow up lets the "CHECK BALLS" seal so
that liquid can be "SUCKED" up from the source

if this fails - remove the output line from the bulb - squeeze and hold the bulb - put your finger over the output - release the bulb

- release your finger in a few seconds and repeat a few times - this will help -

once the "BALLS" get wet - then it realy doesn't matter much

I've had TOO MANY BOATS - OVER TOO MANY YEARS

[buswarrior]

How are you going to get any practical amount of alcohol to stay up inside the drain without a sealed connection and a method to pump it up?

dickegler has a cheaper method of using the same strategy.

Don't make me come over there...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[belfert]

I pumped about half a gallon of alcohol into my tank.  I'm not at all certain it will work as intended, but time will tell.  I didn't start the bus yet as it was past 9:30 pm and I didn't want to bother the neighbors.

I think I got a tiny bit of the stuff in my mouth as I can taste something funny in my mouth.

[belfert]

I started the bus this morning and it started right up like it was 80 degrees out.  I barely touched the key and the engine started.  I was shocked because it was 30 degrees out and when it was 10 degrees out it almost didn't start.

Anyhow, the air built up just fine after rebuilding the air dryer and adding the alcohol.  I exercised the brakes and parking brakes to hopefully force some alcohol down the line.  (I don't have air suspension or air wipers.)  My only remaining issue is my windshield washer fluid is frozen solid.

[bevans6]

It's a good think you're stopping to pick up BK on the way down, I'm thinking we stand to get some BUS STORIES out of this trip!   

Brian

[belfert]

I've driven about 20,000 miles and the only issue I've had on the road with my bus was a leaky radiator hose caused by a clamp not installed properly.  I think I'll be fine.

I've had more issues with trailers.