Jerry Can Torture Test!

[NC_IslandRunner]

OK, I got a deal on 2 jerry cans on NC4X4.com Friday; 2 for $50 new!

I don't trust them for that cheap, Soooo.........I'm gonna fill one with water and beat the shit out of it to see if it holds up!

If it does you can buy them on Cheaperthandirt.com you get 4 w/ 1 spout for $119.99- great price if they are anywhere near as strong as they advertise.

what I know before I start:

Harbor Freight Jerry's can take a 3' fall full and not bust but may force fuel by crappy Blitz style screw on cap, as mine did when it fell out of the back of my truck in the wal-mart parking lot before TECORE, I have also heard of the spout leaking but have not had that happen yet. upside the welded seam on the Harbor Freight Jerry is recessed so the seam is less likely to take a direct impact.

Cheapo Jerry has NATO style cam-lock lid, seem is not recessed except on the bottom, seam looks to be welded as well.

The Torture

Test #1 - W/ 5gals of water it should still float. (Tie rope to it and toss in Cape Fear River)

Test #2 - hold upside down for 1hr and see if it leaks, squeeze sides to test w/ added pressure

Test #3 - drop from 3' onto pavement/cement, check for damage and leaks(drop on bottom/broadside/narrowside/Top)

Test #4 - Repeat streps #1-3 for good measure!

If it fails I am only out $25, if it stands up to the abuse we have a cheap strong Jerry can option.

Will do this coming week and post pics and maybe a video!

[bartonmd]

Cool!

The only thing I'll add is that the upside down leak test should be done with gasoline, to be realistic... Water is comparatively pretty "thick" and has a much higher surface tension than gasoline, so it could very well hold tight with water, but leak gasoline...

Mike

[navigator]

Mike I was thinking the same thing, I think rubbing alcohol is pretty close to the same density as gasoline.
Just run test two last. If it will hold up to the other tests and still not leak you are in good shape!

[navigator]

you could also do myth busters exclusive! If a steel Jerry can fell onto the highway from a moving vehicle at 65 mph could it explode?
Please conduct on a private closed highway with the redneck filming following at a safe distance!

[v7guy]

and if it doesn't leak, can you make it leak .22 then .45 then .50... ok, maybe that's excessive.

look forward to the results and +1 on using alcohol (density is 785 for alcohol and 729 for gasoline, water is 1000). It's close and nobody will complain about the alcohol smell.

[NC_IslandRunner]

you could also do myth busters exclusive! If a steel Jerry can fell onto the highway from a moving vehicle at 65 mph could it explode?
Please conduct on a private closed highway with the redneck filming following at a safe distance!

I wouldn't explode with a full can, but could will a empty/almost empty can of gas. Liquid gas won't ignite, you could put out a small fire with a bucket of gas but if you didn't get it all out it could ignite quickly when the gas vaporizes. You can see this if you pour a little gas on a flat surface and light it them get down and look at bottom of fire; flame will be off the liquid surface and you should be able to see the gas vapor.

Anyway, I like the suggestion to use alcohol in the upside down leak test, will do! Isopropyl alcohol.

Any other test you think I need to run? I think these should pretty much tell if the can is worthy though.

Looks like Monday or Tuesday will be test day.

[fishsticks]

IIRC isopropyl alcohol is extremely corrosive to rubber.

I'd use gas.

[djthumper]

IIRC isopropyl alcohol is extremely corrosive to rubber.

I'd use gas.

Isopropyl alcohol is will cause the rubber to dry out and cause it to leak.

Using water for the float test will yield inaccurate results as water is heavier than gasoline. So if there is any floating it might float below the surface like a sub.

So if tests are run with gasoline for the first 2 you will have more accurate results.

[chevycrew]

Test #2 done first with gas.

Then test #1 with gas. (dont want to throw a leaky can in the river with gas in it)

Then remaining tests with water.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Test#1 will be done with water first, If it floats no more testing is needs cause water is heavier. If Jerry sinks or floats below water surface I will retest with gas in a more Eco-friendly area (i.e. a pool or deep tub)

Test #2 will be done with the Jerry I don't plan on beating to death and again after all the abuse has been dealt to the first Jerry. So as to get a new can and a beaten can test. Both done with Gas over a drip pan.

Test #3 will actually be the second test and will be done with water as weight has no effect of rate of fall.

Both Jerry's are same manufacturer and model.

Does this sound a little better?

[navigator]

if you find that the Jerry can sinks with gas you could likely not fill it all the way full and leave a little air pocket in there to make sure it floats. I don't think it would take much.

It does have me thinking though, what kind of situation are you planning for where you need to know the can floats?

[NC_IslandRunner]

if you find that the Jerry can sinks with gas you could likely not fill it all the way full and leave a little air pocket in there to make sure it floats. I don't think it would take much.

It does have me thinking though, what kind of situation are you planning for where you need to know the can floats?

Not really a needed ability but just a standard characteristic of a true Jerry can, Shouldn't need to under fill to make float, should float with 20L of Petrol or 5.28gal of gas.

[navigator]

good to know, I wasn't sure if you were planning a trip to the outer banks and concerned some zombie pelican was going to swoop down and knock your Jerry can into the water.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Will begin test in a few hrs, Jamie (TrailShaman) was going to join me for the test but had a family member pass away yesterday. Prayers and best wishes to him and his family.

[Trail X]

Throw a baseball at it while full and see if it dents it. Drag it around a gravel yard behind your truck and see what the effects are... shouldn't create any leaks. Roll over it with your tire. I believe the old plastic NATO cans can take being rolled over with a hummer.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Working on video, but about to go for a night ride on atv's in a minute so I'll get back at it later tonight.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Wondered about those cans...

[NC_IslandRunner]

So here it is,

Test #1 - Water filled - Did not float to well, floated a few inches under surface of water and was hard to film; easy tug of rope brought it to top and would float at one corner just out of water but not without a assist to get there.

Test #2 - Gas filled - Sat upside down for an hour and no leaks, pushed in on both sides with hands and seal held tight.

Test #3 - Water filled - Dropped on bottom, Dents scratches no leak; Dropped on back narrow side, scratched dented seam impact caused bottom to push out and seam developed a small leak.

Additional Test #1 - Water filled - Baseball thrown at full Jerry, Dented

Additional Test #2 - Water filled - Drug Jerry behind ATV, Jerry flipped and rolled, almost tore handle off(2/3 of top weld), Spout bent to right, No leak





Don't give too much shit this is the first video I've ever made, Well almost but that was 11yrs ago and no computer editing...



Although not indestructible at $120 for four with one spout I think they are a good deal, reasonable quality and a great price. I would consider getting some not to purposefully destroy! They should hold up fine under normal conditions.

[djthumper]

That was a great video Rory! It of sucks that you had to be your own cameraman but you did a great job.

Looks like the tests were successful.

[TSAdventurez]

Nice video looks like the tests went well. Sorry I couldnt help out.