DREADMOOR Fuel Can Location Guide: Powering The Throat Generator

Learn where to find the DREADMOOR fuel can at The Throat, how to refuel the generator, and how to solve the entire sluice gate puzzle.

Navigating the murky, blight-infested waters of this grim fishing simulator often leads to unexpected roadblocks. If you have finally fitted your motorboat with reinforced hull plating and an upgraded engine, your next trial awaits at the massive sluice gates of the waterway outpost. Locating the DREADMOOR fuel can is the critical first step to restoring power to this entire installation. Many sailors make the costly mistake of assuming they need to haul reserves across the swamp, but securing a DREADMOOR fuel can only requires a keen eye within the local industrial complex.

Without electrical power, the massive mechanical locks blocking your escape will remain shut. This comprehensive guide walks you through finding the fuel container, firing up the auxiliary generator, handling the boat's distinct fueling systems, and repairing every mechanism required to conquer The Throat.


Where to Find the DREADMOOR Fuel Can at The Throat

When you arrive at the monolithic gate complex known as The Throat, your objective log updates with a daunting instruction: Start the generator. Interacting with the generator unit immediately prompts you to track down a fuel supply.

[ Docking Pier ] ---> [ Lower Gangway ] ---> [ Generator Deck ]
                             |
                      [ Workshop Nook ] ---> ( DREADMOOR Fuel Can )

A frequent error noted in player experience reports involves turning the boat around and sailing all the way back to Betsy and Sons at the central Trading Post. Do not leave the outpost. The necessary fuel container is stored right on-site within The Throat's interconnected industrial walkways.

To find the fuel container efficiently:

  1. Moor your motorboat securely at the primary wooden dock beside the gate infrastructure.
  2. Climb the access ladder leading toward the main machinery platform where the silent generator sits.
  3. Turn away from the generator console and inspect the cluttered staging nook and adjacent workshop platform.
  4. Check the floor near the metal storage bins, scrap piles, and supply crates.
  5. Approach the red metal container marked with industrial stencils and press the interaction key (F) to pick it up.

Carrying the item occupies your active interaction slot, so ensure you have cleared nearby debris or hazards before grabbing it.

Location ElementEnvironmental MarkerItem FoundPrimary Purpose
Machinery PlatformLarge diesel engine block with pull-cordSilent GeneratorPowers gate winch and water pumps
Workshop Lower LevelShelving units, work table, spent partsDREADMOOR fuel canSupplies fuel to start the generator
Upper CatwalkRusted iron railing overlooking the canalControl ConsoleTriggers lock gate operations
Submerged Sluice BasinMurky churn pools with spiky floraMechanism HousingsHolds water wheel and bucket slots

How to Refuel and Start The Throat Generator

Once you have the container in hand, haul it back to the generator housing. Unlike modern automated systems, maritime machinery in this Lovecraftian world requires direct physical manipulation.

Follow these operational steps to start the power unit:

  1. Approach the Fuel Inlet: Walk directly up to the fuel cap located on the top corner of the generator chassis.
  2. Pour the Fuel: Hold the prompt to dispense the contents. A fluid gauge or animation will confirm the tank is full.
  3. Engage the Starter Cord: Drop or stow the empty canister and interact with the recoil starter handle.
  4. Pull to Ignite: Execute the engine pull prompt. The machine will cough violently before settling into a steady, rumbling diesel idle.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|               GENERATOR STARTUP CHECKLIST                   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [X] Locate local DREADMOOR fuel can in workshop alcove      |
| [X] Pour contents directly into top intake port             |
| [X] Clear immediate deck of dropped tools or debris         |
| [X] Pull recoil starter cord to engage engine combustion    |
| [X] Confirm overhead utility floodlights switch ON          |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Starting the motor brings floodlights to life and hums current through the primary switchboards. However, attempting to flip the main gate switch right now will result in immediate mechanical failure. The generator provides electricity, but the hydraulic and gear assemblies operating the flood barriers remain heavily damaged.

Troubleshooting StateObservable SymptomSolution
Fuel RefusedNo interaction prompt at fuel portEnsure you are holding the actual fuel can, not an empty salvage bucket
Engine StallsPull-cord fires once, emits smoke, diesInspect fluid level; ensure the pouring interaction finished completely
Gate Won't BudgeSwitch sparks red, sirens groan brieflySluice machinery damaged; proceed to component inspection phase
Electrical Humming OnlyLights flicker on, but pumps sit idleThermal coils and drive gear missing from secondary housings

Fuel Mechanics Compared: Fuel Can vs. Boat Fuel Gun

Understanding the distinction between portable liquid fuel and vessel propulsion is vital for surviving the swamp. The DREADMOOR fuel can is an environmental quest item tailored for stationary machinery, whereas your motorboat relies on a specialized bio-refining infrastructure introduced early in the campaign.

According to community reports, beginners often waste time attempting to pack the generator can into their boat's inventory to use as emergency motor fuel. The game separates these two mechanics completely:

[ Fish Grinder ] ---> ( Fish Meat ) ---> [ Fuel Larva ] ---> [ Fuel Gun ] ---> ( Boat Tank )
  • Vessel Propulsion: Your motorboat runs on biofuel synthesized at the Trading Post. You catch common species like Snappers, process them in the grinder into raw Fish Meat, and feed the organic mass to the bizarre Fuel Larva. The larva converts flesh into liquid fuel, which you pump directly into your boat's stern tank using the mounted Fuel Gun.
  • Stationary Equipment: Heavy industrial utilities—such as the lock systems at The Throat—run on standard hydrocarbons found sealed in pre-catastrophe containers. This is where finding the specific DREADMOOR fuel can comes into play.
FeatureBoat Propulsion SystemThroat Generator System
Primary DispenserMounted Fuel Gun at docks / piersHandheld DREADMOOR fuel can
Raw ResourceProcessed Fish Meat via GrinderPre-packaged salvage canister
Refueling MethodDirect nozzle interaction at vessel sternManual pour at generator intake port
PortabilityFixed to refueling stationsCarried physically in player hands
Depletion RiskVessel strands dead in dark watersOutpost gates remain permanently locked
Cost / UpkeepRequires continuous fishing contractsOne-time puzzle requirement in the demo

To check updates or download upcoming content patches, visit the official DREADMOOR Steam playtest page to monitor development milestones and developer patch notes.


Complete Sluice Machinery Repair Checklist

Once the DREADMOOR fuel can has served its purpose and the generator hums with power, you must overhaul the waterway machinery. Operating the gate requires four separate mechanical repairs and a water-flow alignment puzzle.

       [ Power Active ]
              |
    +---------+---------+
    |                   |
[ Mechanical ]     [ Hydraulic ]
  - Install Gear     - Repair Pump
  - 2x Buckets       - Set Flow Valves
  - Thermal Coil

1. The Missing Drive Gear

Scour the lower walkways and metal staging grates. You will encounter a large drive assembly missing its central cog. Retrieve the replacement gear from the nearby equipment shelves and slot it directly into the central axle.

2. The Two Water Wheel Buckets

The sluice uses dual undershot water wheels to counterbalance the gate weight. Both wheels are missing paddle buckets.

  • Search the workshop corridor for the first heavy iron bucket.
  • Check the raised catwalk near the exterior ladder for the second bucket.
  • Mount both onto the designated empty brackets on the paddle wheels.

3. The Burnt-Out Thermal Coil

An electrical junction box near the pump housing has suffered a surge. Collect a fresh Thermal Coil from the lower workshop tool lockers and socket it into the burnt terminal. Do not attempt to craft one at John's lathe; the necessary replacement part is already on site.

4. Field-Repairing the Water Pump

Locate the cracked casing of the main water pump. Interact directly with the housing using your tools to seal the fractures and restore internal pressure.

Damaged MechanismRequired Repair ItemExact In-Area LocationFunction in Gate Sequence
Axle Drive SlotHeavy Iron GearLower machinery platform crateTransmits rotary power to lock winch
Left Water WheelReplacement Bucket #1Workshop floor near tool racksCatches diverted water to turn wheel
Right Water WheelReplacement Bucket #2Upper gangway landingBalances torque for hydraulic lift
Terminal JunctionThermal CoilMetal cabinet on middle catwalkPrevents pump electrical overload
Coolant PumpTool Kit / Interactive RepairGround-level intake stationPressurizes the main floodway system

Balancing the Water Channels and Opening The Throat

With the generator roaring and all hardware restored, the final step involves directing the water flow. The waterway console controls four remote diverter gates that dictate which channels receive incoming swamp currents.

[ Inflow Source ] ===> [ Diverter 1 ] ---> [ Wheel A ] (Active)
                             |
                       [ Diverter 2 ] ---> [ Wheel B ] (Active)

Your objective is simple: both water wheels must spin simultaneously. If only one wheel turns, the winch will stall under uneven strain.

Follow this sequencing method to solve the valve puzzle:

  1. Examine the status lights on the channel control panel: Red indicates blocked flow, while Green indicates an open culvert.
  2. Note that toggling certain valves shifts adjacent gates automatically.
  3. Work from the primary inlet downstream toward the wheel basins.
  4. Verify visually that water gushes over the buckets of both the left and right wheels.
  5. Once both wheels achieve steady rotational speed, return to the master Gate Control Console.
  6. Pull the main release lever. The colossal iron barrier will grind downward into the silt, clearing your passage forward.
Valve Control IDDefault StateTarget OutputDirect Mechanical Effect
Control Switch AlphaClosed (Red)Open (Green)Diverts main surge into distribution trench
Control Switch BetaOpen (Green)Closed (Red)Cuts off dead-end drainage spillway
Control Switch GammaClosed (Red)Open (Green)Feeds secondary trench toward Wheel B
Control Switch DeltaVariableOpen (Green)Stabilizes head-pressure across Wheel A

Survival Tips for Navigating The Throat

Rushing blindly through this puzzle during twilight is an easy way to lose your vessel. Surviving the journey requires managing environmental hazards, equipment degradation, and biological threats.

Beware the Night Clock

The swamp transforms when the sun sets. Eldritch horrors and aggressive tentacle hazards emerge from the depths, capable of shredding an unarmored hull in seconds. Always inspect your watch before docking at The Throat. If the hour is late, return to your bunkhouse or use the local shelter to sleep until 10:00 AM when daylight offers maximum visibility.

Watch Out for Spiky Sea Urchins

The damp platforms around the lower sluice pools are infested with toxic urchins and blight residue. Stepping directly onto these environmental hazards depletes your vitality bar rapidly. Keep your flashlight active in dark corners and leap over floor obstructions while carrying parts.

Prepare Your Hull and Engine

Before attempting this voyage, complete John the Fifth's preparatory upgrades at the Dry Dock. Reinforced side-front hull plating absorbs collisions with jagged metal salvage, while the Upgraded Engine boosts your speed from 2 knots to 4 knots. That extra power ensures you can escape predatory fauna lurking in open waters.

Preparation FactorMinimum RecommendationOptimal SetupConsequence of Neglect
Vessel Speed2 Knots (Standard Engine)4 Knots (Upgraded Engine)Inability to outrun aggressive predators
Hull DefenseBaseline wood (0 Protection)Weak Hull Protection (+2 Defense)Rapid hull breach from submerged debris
Vessel Fuel Level50% Tank Capacity100% Full TankStranded in open blight mist
Time of DepartureDawn (06:00 AM)Morning (10:00 AM)High risk of night stalker ambushes
Health Status60% Vitality100% (Essence Treated)Sudden death from urchin punctures

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a fuel can from the starting area to The Throat?

No. The starting shack and trading docks do not supply portable canisters for this puzzle. The DREADMOOR fuel can is an environmental quest item placed specifically inside The Throat outpost complex near the generator workshop.

What happens if I drop the DREADMOOR fuel can into the water?

If an interactable quest piece like the DREADMOOR fuel can slips into deep water or clips through geometry, it will reset to its default spawn position on the workshop platform after a few moments.

Why won't the generator start after I refuel it?

If the unit has received fuel but refuses to kick on, make sure you complete the recoil pull-cord interaction. If the engine coughs and stops, confirm that the fuel-pouring bar reached 100% completion before you stowed the can.

Do I need the Upgraded Engine to reach The Throat?

While technically accessible with the basic motor, attempting the trip without installing the Upgraded Engine is strongly discouraged. The waterways surrounding the gate are patrol zones for aggressive fish species that can easily overtake a basic 2-knot vessel.