The short version: run 12V if you're pumping from a ute or off a car battery, 24V if your trucks and machinery run 24-volt electrics, and 240V for any fixed refuelling point with mains power. Voltage determines where the pump can work — flow rate and duty cycle determine how well it works once it's there.
40–60 LPM Typical 12V open-flow rate — mobile refuelling
40–80 LPM Typical 24V range — trucks and heavy plant
60–100+ LPM Typical 240V range — continuous-duty options
20–30% Flow lost to hose, nozzle, meter and filter
At a Glance
Quick comparison
| |
12V |
24V |
240V |
| Power source |
Ute/car battery, small solar setups |
Truck and heavy machinery batteries |
Mains power |
| Typical flow rate |
40–60 LPM |
40–80 LPM |
60–100+ LPM |
| Best for |
Mobile refuelling, utes, small tanks |
Truck-mounted tanks, plant equipment |
Depots, workshops, fixed tanks |
| Duty cycle |
Shorter — battery and motor limited |
Moderate |
Continuous-rated options available |
| Portability |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Fixed installation |
Flow rates are open-flow figures — real delivered rates drop once you add hose length, a nozzle and a meter (more on that below).
12 Volt
When a 12V pump is the right choice
A 12V pump runs off the same battery system as your ute, LandCruiser or light vehicle, which makes it the default for mobile refuelling: ute-mounted tanks, transportable tank cubes and drum kits that travel to the machine rather than the other way around.
Things to know before you buy
- Flow rates are honest at 40–60 LPM. That's ample for topping up a tractor or a couple of machines. If you're filling a 400 L tank on a harvester every day, you'll feel every minute of it — consider stepping up.
- Battery drain is real. A 12V pump pulls meaningful current. Run the vehicle engine while pumping long batches, or you'll learn about flat batteries the hard way.
- Cable length matters. Voltage drop over long or undersized battery leads is the number-one cause of “my new pump is slow” complaints. Keep leads short and use the gauge the manufacturer specifies.
- Duty cycle limits. Most 12V units are rated for around 30 minutes of continuous operation before they need to rest. Fine for refuelling; wrong tool for tank-to-tank bulk transfers.
Browse the 12V and 24V range in our electric fuel transfer pumps and kits category — kits bundle the pump with hose, nozzle and fittings so everything is matched from day one.
24 Volt
When 24V makes sense
24V pumps exist for one reason: trucks, buses and most heavy plant run 24-volt electrical systems. If the pump is going to live on a truck-mounted service tank or run off machinery batteries, buy 24V — a 12V pump connected to a 24V system will burn out, and tapping one battery of a 24V pair unbalances the system.
Performance-wise, 24V units behave like their 12V siblings with a little more headroom: the higher voltage means less current for the same power, which translates to less voltage drop over cable runs and generally better sustained flow.
Rule of thumb
Match the pump voltage to the vehicle it will be mounted on, not the vehicle you drive to the shop.
240 Volt
When to go 240V
If the pump has a permanent home — a workshop, depot, farm shed or fixed storage tank with mains power nearby — 240V is the better tool:
Throughput
Higher flow
240V pumps commonly deliver 60–100+ LPM, which matters when you're filling trucks and large machinery daily.
Duty Cycle
Continuous duty
Mains-powered motors shrug off long transfer runs that would overheat a DC pump.
Simplicity
No battery management
Plug in, pump, done.
A 240V pump is the heart of a fixed refuelling point. Pair it with a fuel flow meter for reconciliation, an automatic shut-off nozzle so walk-away fills don't become spills, and a hose reel to keep the hose off the ground and out of harm's way. For a complete dispensing point in one unit, look at a fuel bowser instead of assembling components separately.
Reality Check
The spec sheet number vs the fuel in your tank
Advertised flow rates are measured open-flow — pump only, no restrictions. Every component you add costs flow:
What eats your flow rate
- Hose length and diameter — each extra metre and each size down adds resistance
- Nozzle — automatic shut-off nozzles restrict more than manual ones
- Meter — adds a small restriction
- Filter — necessary, but flow-limiting as it loads up with contaminant
- Vertical lift — pumping up out of a deep tank costs pressure
A “60 LPM” pump delivering 40–45 LPM through a real hose-meter-nozzle setup is normal, not faulty. If a specific fill time matters to you, size the pump one step above the minimum.
Protection
Don't skip filtration
Whatever voltage you choose, put fuel filtration between the pump and your equipment. Modern common-rail engines have zero tolerance for water and particulate, and a water-separating filter on the dispensing line is the cheapest injector insurance you can buy.
Transport & Logistics Mining & Resources Civil Construction Agriculture Workshops & Depots Government Fleet
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a 12V diesel pump from my car or ute battery?
Yes — that's exactly what they're designed for. For longer pumping sessions, keep the engine running so the alternator carries the load, and use the battery lead gauge specified by the manufacturer to avoid voltage drop.
Will a 12V pump work on a 24V truck system?
No. Connecting a 12V pump to 24V will overdrive and burn out the motor, and tapping a single battery from a 24V pair unbalances the truck's electrical system. Buy the voltage that matches the vehicle the pump will be mounted on.
What flow rate do I actually need?
For topping up utes and small machinery, 40 LPM is comfortable. For daily refuelling of trucks, tractors or plant, aim for 60 LPM or more. Remember that hoses, nozzles, meters and filters all reduce the advertised open-flow figure by roughly 20–30%.
Can I use a diesel transfer pump for petrol?
No. Standard diesel pumps are not flameproof-rated and petrol vapour is highly flammable — pumping petrol through one is a genuine explosion risk. Petrol requires purpose-built, flameproof-rated transfer equipment.
Why is my new diesel pump slower than advertised?
Usually one of three things: voltage drop from long or undersized battery cables, restriction from the hose/nozzle/meter chain, or a filter loading up with contaminant. Advertised rates are open-flow; 20–30% less through a full dispensing setup is normal.
Do I need a flow meter on my transfer pump?
Not strictly, but if more than one person draws fuel — or you claim fuel tax credits — a meter turns guesswork into records. It's one of the cheapest fuel-management upgrades available.
Get matched with the right pump
FuelGear stocks 12V, 24V and 240V diesel transfer pumps and complete kits, backed by people who use this gear and can talk you through duty cycles, flow rates and fit-out. Call us on 1300 351 601 or get in touch online and we'll match a pump to the job in a couple of minutes.