I'm finally going to bite the bullet and put a clean-out port in the aluminum water tank under the v berth in my 1980 H33, as I am tired of having to pull the supply tube from the tank each year when it gets full of "white stuff" from the tank. For those of you who have done this, can I just use a standard plastic screw-out Beckson or similar round port with an o-ring seal, cut an appropriate hole in the top and install the port, or do I have to make a port cover out of aluminum and go to the trouble of drilling and tapping or otherwise fixing a metal top to the tank in order to prevent leakage in a seaway? I've seen the archives that some have done it both ways, what I am looking for is what seems to work the best with least install trouble. Any info would be appreciated.
Clean-Out Port in H33 Water Tank
- Thread starter jlogan
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Big Beckson. . . .
screw on port should be great for cleanout. And much easier to install. I used aluminum when making two for my fuel tank. I was concerned about the diesel vs. plastic. But for water the Beckson should be fine.
screw on port should be great for cleanout. And much easier to install. I used aluminum when making two for my fuel tank. I was concerned about the diesel vs. plastic. But for water the Beckson should be fine.
Watch out for the Baffle!!! I was lucky when
I did the same thing. I "tried on" a number of Beckson ports in the store by sticking my fist through the opening. I think I ended up with their 5" ID port. Then just get a good hole saw with a pilot bit and cut your hole - I think it requires a 5-1/2" hole. Once you have the hole cut, dry fit the Beckson and drill and tap the screw holes or use appropriate sized nuts and bolts. Then apply a good bead of silicone or 4200 (NOT 5200!!!!) install the port and you're done. You might find that you'll want two cleanout ports, though. One in front of the baffle and one behind it. That baffle only had about 2" clearance off the bottom of the tank so there's no way, without a 2nd cleanout port, to effectively get to the front of the tank. If I get to the boat this weekend I'll take a few pictures and post them on the Photo Forum. Check there after the weekend.
I did the same thing. I "tried on" a number of Beckson ports in the store by sticking my fist through the opening. I think I ended up with their 5" ID port. Then just get a good hole saw with a pilot bit and cut your hole - I think it requires a 5-1/2" hole. Once you have the hole cut, dry fit the Beckson and drill and tap the screw holes or use appropriate sized nuts and bolts. Then apply a good bead of silicone or 4200 (NOT 5200!!!!) install the port and you're done. You might find that you'll want two cleanout ports, though. One in front of the baffle and one behind it. That baffle only had about 2" clearance off the bottom of the tank so there's no way, without a 2nd cleanout port, to effectively get to the front of the tank. If I get to the boat this weekend I'll take a few pictures and post them on the Photo Forum. Check there after the weekend.
Steve: where is the water tank baffle?
in relation to the pickup tube or forward portion of the tank? Can you give me an approximate measurement from something so that I can be sure not to hit the baffle? thanks
in relation to the pickup tube or forward portion of the tank? Can you give me an approximate measurement from something so that I can be sure not to hit the baffle? thanks
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