I'm sure this has been asked and answered before... but I couldn't find what I needed using the search function. Apologies in advance for any repeat...
I've been having trouble fouling the carburetor on my outboard... so last night I removed my internal tank and gave it a very thorough cleaning.
Since it was out... I figured it was a good time to assess the merits of its former location in my boat. I want to reposition it (just a little) so that it will occupy space that is less desirable for storage. At present it resides just inside the largest of my cockpit lockers. So essentially it is a fuel locker only. Premium space is being wasted and on a small boat... :naughty:
But there is room under the cockpit sole so.... that seems like a better place and it will also balance out the weight a bit.
By moving the tank I'll need to run a longer fuel fill hose. I don't want to relocate my deck plate (seems like unnecessary fiberglass/gel coat work).
My question! Can part of the new fuel run be solid pipe? I'm thinking schedule 80 PVC would be nice and sturdy but I don't know if PVC and gasoline are compatible over the long term. I found a chemical compatibility chart from a company called "Spill Tech" that lists PVC/Gasoline compatibility as "Moderate" (good was the best rating available). What does moderate mean? They also had a rating of "not recommended". Since PVC was not given a "not recommended" rating.. can I infer that "Moderate" implies that it is recommendable? (Two negatives makes a positive kind of thing) The highest possible rating was "Good". So I found this data to be less than informative.
Moeller has a recommendation sheet that says not to use rigid fuel lines. My understanding is that things move on boats and you want the flexibility so the line does not get stressed and crack. So I'm thinking that if I use flexible pipe on the ends on my PVC pipe... I'll still provide the needed "flexibility" and prevent any stress on the PVC.
I know some of you will say... why not just buy the flexible pipe. I'm not opposed but it is really not all that flexible and a 90-deg turn is out of the question with this stuff. So directing the fill pipe so that it does not interfere with premium storage space will be difficult. And the stuff is expensive. I found a place selling the flexible hose for $6/ft and for the run I need it will cost me about $50. But I already have 3' of flexible hose. And a piece of PVC pipe and fittings will run me $10. So... I'll save $40 and the PVC pipe will allow me to direct the run more precisely into those "unusable" spaces under the cockpit.
I drew a cartoon what what I'm thinking I'd like to do.
If you know of any reasons why this is a bad idea, please share... working with gasoline in closed spaces ... I really don't want to overlook anything.
Thanks,
r
I've been having trouble fouling the carburetor on my outboard... so last night I removed my internal tank and gave it a very thorough cleaning.
Since it was out... I figured it was a good time to assess the merits of its former location in my boat. I want to reposition it (just a little) so that it will occupy space that is less desirable for storage. At present it resides just inside the largest of my cockpit lockers. So essentially it is a fuel locker only. Premium space is being wasted and on a small boat... :naughty:
But there is room under the cockpit sole so.... that seems like a better place and it will also balance out the weight a bit.
By moving the tank I'll need to run a longer fuel fill hose. I don't want to relocate my deck plate (seems like unnecessary fiberglass/gel coat work).
My question! Can part of the new fuel run be solid pipe? I'm thinking schedule 80 PVC would be nice and sturdy but I don't know if PVC and gasoline are compatible over the long term. I found a chemical compatibility chart from a company called "Spill Tech" that lists PVC/Gasoline compatibility as "Moderate" (good was the best rating available). What does moderate mean? They also had a rating of "not recommended". Since PVC was not given a "not recommended" rating.. can I infer that "Moderate" implies that it is recommendable? (Two negatives makes a positive kind of thing) The highest possible rating was "Good". So I found this data to be less than informative.
Moeller has a recommendation sheet that says not to use rigid fuel lines. My understanding is that things move on boats and you want the flexibility so the line does not get stressed and crack. So I'm thinking that if I use flexible pipe on the ends on my PVC pipe... I'll still provide the needed "flexibility" and prevent any stress on the PVC.
I know some of you will say... why not just buy the flexible pipe. I'm not opposed but it is really not all that flexible and a 90-deg turn is out of the question with this stuff. So directing the fill pipe so that it does not interfere with premium storage space will be difficult. And the stuff is expensive. I found a place selling the flexible hose for $6/ft and for the run I need it will cost me about $50. But I already have 3' of flexible hose. And a piece of PVC pipe and fittings will run me $10. So... I'll save $40 and the PVC pipe will allow me to direct the run more precisely into those "unusable" spaces under the cockpit.
I drew a cartoon what what I'm thinking I'd like to do.
If you know of any reasons why this is a bad idea, please share... working with gasoline in closed spaces ... I really don't want to overlook anything.
Thanks,
r
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