Dear sailors, As part for a preparation for a long-range trip, I am considering converting one of the holding tanks to a Diesel tank on a Hunter 410. Any experiance, ideas, comments? Regards, Daniel
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A More Common Conversion
...is the aft water tank to fuel and the addition of a watermaker. I would imagine Hunter will have some information available on that even though most were likely done on commissioning. Sorry I don't have better information than that. Rick D.
...is the aft water tank to fuel and the addition of a watermaker. I would imagine Hunter will have some information available on that even though most were likely done on commissioning. Sorry I don't have better information than that. Rick D.
Fred...you did what?
Fred...you only have one holding tank on your 34' don't you? Why would you get rid of it?
Fred...you only have one holding tank on your 34' don't you? Why would you get rid of it?
If the tank is plastic, you can't do it
If the tank is aluminum, no problem...but plastic water and waste tanks cannot be converted to fuel holding because they're made of linear polyethylene, which is highly susceptible to permeation by petroleum products...making linear poly unacceptable for fuel holding. Plastic fuel tanks must be made of cross linked poly, and must meet CG (or if not in the US, ISO) certification standards for construction and fittings locations and types.
If the tank is aluminum, no problem...but plastic water and waste tanks cannot be converted to fuel holding because they're made of linear polyethylene, which is highly susceptible to permeation by petroleum products...making linear poly unacceptable for fuel holding. Plastic fuel tanks must be made of cross linked poly, and must meet CG (or if not in the US, ISO) certification standards for construction and fittings locations and types.
Peggie, we talked about this last year.
My conversion works because the boat and its' tanks are from the mid '80s. Things were better then. And Susan, we have NO holding tanks. LectraSan. A picture is on my web site.
My conversion works because the boat and its' tanks are from the mid '80s. Things were better then.
And Susan, we have NO holding tanks. LectraSan. A picture is on my web site.Not better, just different.
The holding tank on my 1980 Trojan was also cross-linked poly...but that doesn't mean they all were. And you'd be hard pressed to find a cross-linked poly water or waste tank made since 1985 that wasn't owner-added later by someone who typically over-engineers everything...'cuz cross-linked isn't necessary for water and waste, and is a lot more expensive. Nor, despite the fact that your conversion "works," does it mean that it meets CG safety standards for plastic fuel tanks...which include such things as (wording is mine) "no surface may be constructed in a manner to allow the pooling of fuel on the outside of the tank" and unacceptability of welded tanks...they must be seamless. There are also strict guidelines for fittings locations and types. So while it MAY be possible to convert an individual plastic water or waste tank to fuel holding, it's not likely.
The holding tank on my 1980 Trojan was also cross-linked poly...but that doesn't mean they all were. And you'd be hard pressed to find a cross-linked poly water or waste tank made since 1985 that wasn't owner-added later by someone who typically over-engineers everything...'cuz cross-linked isn't necessary for water and waste, and is a lot more expensive. Nor, despite the fact that your conversion "works," does it mean that it meets CG safety standards for plastic fuel tanks...which include such things as (wording is mine) "no surface may be constructed in a manner to allow the pooling of fuel on the outside of the tank" and unacceptability of welded tanks...they must be seamless. There are also strict guidelines for fittings locations and types. So while it MAY be possible to convert an individual plastic water or waste tank to fuel holding, it's not likely.
Peggie, on my web site, second film strip, just
below the pictures of the engine are pictures of my fuel tank(s) and a narrative of what I did and why. All of my tanks seem to be built with the same material. I have my unused water tank in my garage. It is built as all the others ie; no mechanical fittings, just welded nipples. It seems to me that the Coast Guard isn't too concerned with fuel systems on diesel boats. Sure, everything has an approval number. We have to keep the bureaucrats employed. But, as I found when trying to replace my tank, I couldn't. When regulation steps in, choice steps out and prices go up. IMHO.
below the pictures of the engine are pictures of my fuel tank(s) and a narrative of what I did and why. All of my tanks seem to be built with the same material. I have my unused water tank in my garage. It is built as all the others ie; no mechanical fittings, just welded nipples. It seems to me that the Coast Guard isn't too concerned with fuel systems on diesel boats. Sure, everything has an approval number. We have to keep the bureaucrats employed. But, as I found when trying to replace my tank, I couldn't. When regulation steps in, choice steps out and prices go up. IMHO.
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