Diesel Fuel Tank Replacement Advice

[Celestialsailor]

I was always told that SS was not recommended by USCG. I've always used Aluminum and added an extra 3/8"NPT port to manually run a tube down to the lowest corner of the tank, every 6 months or so to suck accumulated water out.

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

I've never heard of the USCG getting into the business of boat construction regulations or commentary. This is news to me-- but interesting for sure -- I could see how they might have a say on commercial vessels... I am curious now about this...

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by PUDDLE JUMPER II

I've never heard of the USCG getting into the business of boat construction regulations or commentary. This is news to me-- but interesting for sure -- I could see how they might have a say on commercial vessels... I am curious now about this...

Does this explain the situation? Seems pretty clear cut?

Fire Protection for Recreational Vessels - Federal Register
22 Oct 2021 — The Coast Guard promulgates regulations to protect the environment and human and marine life and to ensure safe boating practices. The Fire ...


https://www.federalregister.gov › 2021/10/22 › fire-pro...

[chrisr]

we are in the process of replacing our 20 yo 600L stainless steel fuel tank (who says stainless last forever ??)

after a lot of research found that where we are (tahiti), a custom made welded plastic tank is the most cost effective option. recall the material is 8mm thick. manufacturer gives 10 year guarantee on workmanship and lifetime guarantee on material.

no corrosion issues...ever

in my experience sight glasses work ok for a while but get fogged and soon are next to impossible to read. also liable to breaks & leaks. this time around we are installing an ultrasonic sender. in due course i'll report back how it works

cheers,

[Jammer]

If you want "forever" you could see if you get a monel tank. They were popular once before the cost of monel became eye-watering. You would pay several times what a tank made of 316 would cost.

[markxengineerin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5lFowAA--8

Worth a watch - I'm sure there are some good plastic tanks out there, but I prefer metals for their more predictable behavior vs. time and ease of repair by anyone anywhere. One of the aluminum tanks in my boat developed a pin hole in one of the welds (bottom point where water collects) after 10 or so years. The previous owner fixed it with a dab of JB marine weld on the outside and it has been good for the 10 years since.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by markxengineerin

Worth a watch - I'm sure there are some good plastic tanks out there, but I prefer metals for their more predictable behavior vs. time and ease of repair by anyone anywhere. One of the aluminum tanks in my boat developed a pin hole in one of the welds (bottom point where water collects) after 10 or so years. The previous owner fixed it with a dab of JB marine weld on the outside and it has been good for the 10 years since.

Those tanks supplied to Tally Ho were NOT a good representation of what is available. I have no idea what kind of brain fart led the supplier to allow those to leave the workshop but they've probably done immense reputational damage to their industry.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by GILow

Those tanks supplied to Tally Ho were NOT a good representation of what is available. I have no idea what kind of brain fart led the supplier to allow those to leave the workshop but they've probably done immense reputational damage to their industry.

Is that just your opinion or can you give us a link to an expert source which substantiates your view?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by coopec43

Is that just your opinion or can you give us a link to an expert source which substantiates your view?

Expert, x a mathematical symbol for an unknown quantity, spert, a plumbing term for a drip under pressure therefore an expert would be an unknown drip under pressure.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by coopec43

Is that just your opinion or can you give us a link to an expert source which substantiates your view?

Mate, what are you on? The darn things were LEAKING.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Expert, x a mathematical symbol for an unknown quantity, spert, a plumbing term for a drip under pressure therefore an expert would be an unknown drip under pressure.

As a mathematician, I resemble that remark.

[Bowdrie]

A 28-gallon tank is not very big.
With a little care, a DIYer could make one from fiberglass/epoxy that would
have all its fittings/mountings "just right".

[davil]

Originally Posted by chrisr

in my experience sight glasses work ok for a while but get fogged and soon are next to impossible to read. also liable to breaks & leaks. this time around we are installing an ultrasonic sender. in due course i'll report back how it works

cheers,

========================
interested on your new sender, could you describe mark and type?

thanks

[Celestialsailor]

These are the gauges that I have been using when I build my aluminum tanks. I weld an 1-1/2" female bung in the top of the tank and thread it in. They come in various lengths.

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by davil

========================
interested on your new sender, could you describe mark and type?

thanks

here it is

https://www.svb24.com/en/kus-fuel-ta...ic-sensor.html

there is a data sheet and manual included on that link

as said, we are still in process of installing the new tank so it'll be a few weeks before i can report on the sensor performance, but i have a good feeling about it

nb : our tank is 1m deep so my options were limited

cheers,