Beneteau 47.7 , Convert Watertank to Diesel

[sepeteus]

We ended up using the original plastic water tank for the purpose of diesel tank. Welded up the inspection hatch and changed over the hoses (filler hose and breather) from water to fuel. Good as gold. This advice came from plasic specialists but they said that it is off the record!

[vtcapo]

Originally Posted by sepeteus

Big renovations coming up to our yacht! Among diesel genset, washingmachine/dryer, watermaker, respray of hull, re rigging....... want to install extra fuel tank. She has 600 liters of water in three tanks. As we are getting watermaker, the starboard side stern watertank can go and fueltank take it's place. Looking at the watertank today, the plastic seems very strong and sturdy. Is there any chance that this watertank can be used for diesel. Would save a lot of hard labour!

I am planning on during just the opposite. I have found new plastic fuel tanks that fit my bilge better than any plastic water tanks. Can I convert diesel or gas fuel tanks to water tanks? I was told that the chemical make up of fuel tanks eliminates that possiblity since whatever they are made with will leech into the water.

Any information on this would be appreciated...

RT

[sepeteus]

Originally Posted by vtcapo

I am planning on during just the opposite. I have found new plastic fuel tanks that fit my bilge better than any plastic water tanks. Can I convert diesel or gas fuel tanks to water tanks? I was told that the chemical make up of fuel tanks eliminates that possiblity since whatever they are made with will leech into the water.

Any information on this would be appreciated...

RT

Sounds pretty odd to me. As I looked into using the existing water tank for diesel,the issue was the density of the plastic. If your tanks are new can't see any problem to use for water.

[vtcapo]

Originally Posted by sepeteus

Sounds pretty odd to me. As I looked into using the existing water tank for diesel,the issue was the density of the plastic. If your tanks are new can't see any problem to use for water.

That does sound odd. I think it would be best to consult the manufacturer in this case.

Thanks,
RT

[Wombat]

We contacted the company in France that made the tank and were told that the plastic used was identical in every regard, except color, to the diesel tank. They said to change all of the gaskets to a suitable material and all would be fine. Our 47.7 is Hull 220 made in 2002. We have been using the tank for diesel for better than 8 years.

FYI we connected the two tanks together via a single fuel line and use a transfer pump to fill the extra tank. We then pump it back into the main tank as required. This has worked well for us.

[sepeteus]

Good to hear! I done this just like you with connecting fuel pump on and out :-)

[sepeteus]

Mean in and out

[SmartMove]

Originally Posted by Wombat

We contacted the company in France that made the tank and were told that the plastic used was identical in every regard, except color, to the diesel tank. They said to change all of the gaskets to a suitable material and all would be fine. Our 47.7 is Hull 220 made in 2002. We have been using the tank for diesel for better than 8 years.

FYI we connected the two tanks together via a single fuel line and use a transfer pump to fill the extra tank. We then pump it back into the main tank as required. This has worked well for us.

Well that sucks for us. When we contacted Beneteau in North Carolina, they told us that we could not use the water tank, so we bought a new fuel tank from them with all of the fittings plus some we could have lived without! It was installed in October.