Using Whiffle Balls as Baffles

[Lojanica]

I need baffles in my watertanks (Plastic) but the aftermarket baffle balls I see are too big to fit through an inspection port for the tanks. Therefore I am considering using plastic whiffle balls. I am wondering if they are safe to use in drinking water tanks? Anyone know if this is teneable or small FDA approved off the shelf baffle balls that will fit through a standard inspection port?


Thx

[Astrid]

what size is your inspection port?

Enduraplas :: Polyethylene Tanks, Sprayers, Liquid: Home

[Lojanica]

4".


Perforated sewer pipe is a thought but I think it is a tad too big unless I take the inspection port cover off then rebolt in place (that might work I forget how big the hole for the port was before bolted in place 4 1/2"?)

That's why I was thinking whiffle balls, easy......

I am open to suggestions.

[JayCall]

How deep is the tank? I would think that you want something that will sink to the bottom of the tank. Wiffle balls float.

[Lojanica]

I think the idea is to cram so many in that they are pushed throughout the tank not really floating around too much. The surge arrester baffle balls are just big "whiffle balls" but I can't seem to find any that will fit thru the 4" inspection port,.

[minaret]

You would have to fill the whole tank with whiffle balls. You'd lose a lot of tank volume, and I doubt all those whiffle balls would improve the taste of your water. They might also leech all sorts of toxic contaminants over time.
Essentially, the more flexible the plastic, the more likely it is to contain potentially toxic plasticizers called “phthalates,” which make it more pliable. Plastics made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high density polyethylene (HDPE)—such as most Nalgene bottles—are safer than that made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[Lojanica]

That's what I was thinking. Thanks. What do you think of 4" perfed sewer pipe cut up to fit through the 4 1/2" hole for the inspection plate?

4 in. x 10 ft. Polyethylene 2-Hole Perforated Triple-Wall Pipe. $7/10ft @ Home Depot

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Lojanica

That's what I was thinking. Thanks. What do you think of 4" perfed sewer pipe cut up to fit through the 4 1/2" hole for the inspection plate?

4 in. x 10 ft. Polyethylene 2-Hole Perforated Triple-Wall Pipe. $7/10ft @ Home Depot

Might be a better solution. At least it should be the same plastic used for water pipe.

[Lojanica]

Update. So I found 3" perforated sewer pipe drinking water quality, thinner wall than 4" and fits thru inspection port without hassle. Cut 90% through in sections with a slightly smaller width than the tank which allowed me to fit the pipe into the tank as one continuous piece. Make all cuts on deck then insert pipe and when you get to the first cut use it to bend a joint whichallows you to fold it in.

No sloshing or rattling.

[S/R Smith]

How many gallons are your water tanks? Ours are plastic and aren't baffled.

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by S/R Smith

How many gallons are your water tanks? Ours are plastic and aren't baffled.

+1^^^^^^^ I have two 37 gallon tanks, and have never felt a "slosh"

[Lojanica]

Not big. Only 26 gallons. Maybe I'm a putz maybe not time will tell. I had SS water tanks and they were baffled. I was advised to baffle. So I baffled one of the tanks.

[Bash]

If you installed an 8" inspection port, you could go with the 7.5" baffle balls on Astrid's link.

[belizesailor]

Why? Do you believe it is necessary to baffle relatively small fresh water tanks? Tanks of 260 gallons might concern me, but 26 gallons -- no. The real concern here is "free surface effect" and I just can't see that being a big issue for 26 gallons (maybe someone here who knows the math can chime in on this...and give some actual force potential numbers, but I suspect they are pretty low). Notice that the image next to the "baffle balls" on their web site is a tanker truck! Big time free surface effect potential.

[S/R Smith]

We have 2- 75 gallon plastic water tanks from Ronco. They aren't baffled. They are centerline under the bed in the aft cabin. We have two fuel tanks that are 150 gallons each on alongside each engine and they are baffled.