Fuel pickup location for a Diesel heater

[mermike]

I'm installing a diesel heater soon. I plan to install the pickup in the main tank. Any reason not to drill the hole for the pickup into the tank inspection port? I can't think of a reason not to do this, but one never knows. I know I'd rather not drill into the tank itself and risk contamination with metal chips.

 

[jssailem]

No obvious reason not to.

As long as the location lets you install the fuel line so it works with your system (lays down where you want the line to run.

I drilled mine (no inspection port) and used a vacuum by the bit to suck up the shavings as I drilled.

 

[mermike]

Thanks, John. The tank bottom slopes toward the bottom of the picture. Drilling the inspection port would also prevent running the tank dry with the heater.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I wouldn't mount it on the inspection port simply because it will make using the port cumbersome.

I would locate and drill a hole elsewhere and use a vacuum like @jssailem . Even if you get a couple metal chips in the tank, they will be easily caught by the primary filter.

If you want additional protection against chips in the tank, open the inspection port, reach in and clean/dry the inside location of the new hole and put a piece of duct tape over the location. If there is a chip that escapes you it will very likely be caught by the tape.

 

[dlochner]

I wouldn't encumber the inspection port with a fitting. Use a new sharp bit, this will all the metal being removed to come off in long spirals which are easier to clean up and control.

 

[mermike]

Thanks for the suggestions. The entire installation is going to be a major PITA, so I'm looking to minimize the effort where I can.

On the plus side, the port happens to be in the ideal spot for the pickup and I can drill the plate well away from the tank. Removing the inspection plate will have to be considered. The pickup hole is big enough that I'll have to use a step bit, which makes a bit of a mess. I have a week or so to ponder it.

I also need to locate and convince a size-challenged individual to crawl into the transom area to connect the exhaust to the though-hull. If I go in I might not get out. However, I'll make a fortune when I publish my diet plan, "How To Lose Weight in 24 Hours the Webasto Way."

Mike

 

[Rich Stidger]

If the tank is magnetic, place a strong magnet alongside of the hole to capture the chips.

 

[kloudie1]

I think a regular fuel line hose clamped to the fitting at the inspection plate would be easy to remove when the plate is removed.. No problem.

 

[mermike]

If the tank is magnetic, place a strong magnet alongside of the hole to capture the chips.

Unfortunately, it's stainless steel.

 

[dlochner]

Unfortunately, it's stainless steel.

Check with a magnetic, some SS is magnetic or becomes magnetic over time. To be certain it is a weak magnetic field, but magnetic nonetheless. That's why refrigerator magnets stick to SS appliances.

 

[jssailem]

would also prevent running the tank dry with the heater.

As would shortening the heater fuel line an inch shorter than the engine pick up tube. I place the two lines near each other with the heater line an inch or two shorter.

I figured I could do with out heat, but I wanted enough fuel for the engine to get back into port.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

If you do decide to use the port, then to avoid any shavings, remove it and drill away from the tank as you indicated in one of your posts.

 

[mermike]

That's why refrigerator magnets stick to SS appliances.

I thought it was because they put silver paint over cheap steel. Too cynical?

 

[Dalliance]

I thought it was because they put silver paint over cheap steel. Too cynical?

I wouldn’t put that past some appliance manufacturers, but there are different grades of stainless steel. Some are magnetic, some are not, and others are at various points in between.
The 316 stainless used in marine hardware is austenitic, which is not magnetic. The 430 stainless most common on home appliances is ferritic, which is magnetic.

 

[FastOlson]

Is your diesel tank located in the bow? Engine aft or under forepeak. (What year is your Yamaha?)
Depending on where the heater is located you might want to consider installing a separate 2 or 3 gallon tank just for the heater. Then you could run the furnace on clean burning kerosene. That's what I did when installing a furnace.
This will save a lot of futzing around in obscure parts of your boat, too. Perhaps.

 

[All U Get]

A friend of mine installed a heater and found the fine print saying “gravity fed”. He then found a convenient spot to mount a plastic tank. It makes monitoring the fuel level and replenishment a lot easier for him.

 

[mermike]

Is your diesel tank located in the bow? Engine aft or under forepeak. (What year is your Yamaha?)
Depending on where the heater is located you might want to consider installing a separate 2 or 3 gallon tank just for the heater. Then you could run the furnace on clean burning kerosene. That's what I did when installing a furnace.
This will save a lot of futzing around in obscure parts of your boat, too. Perhaps.

The boat is an '83, with the engine in the "normal" spot under the companionway. The fuel tank is under the aft portion of the starboard settee. The heater is going in underneath the starboard lazarette, where there is space for an optional water tank. I don't think it will be too difficult to run the fuel line between them, though I'd rather not have the fuel pump in the cabin. A separate tank is under consideration.

I fired up the heater in the shop for the first time this evening and I am really looking forward to having that much heat in the cabin. Our little Siig propane heater is simple and compact but not so great at keeping us warm and dry.

 

[mermike]

A friend of mine installed a heater and found the fine print saying “gravity fed”. He then found a convenient spot to mount a plastic tank. It makes monitoring the fuel level and replenishment a lot easier for him.

The Webasto EVO 40 requires a metering pump.

 

[dlochner]

The boat is an '83, with the engine in the "normal" spot under the companionway. The fuel tank is under the aft portion of the starboard settee. The heater is going in underneath the starboard lazarette, where there is space for an optional water tank. I don't think it will be too difficult to run the fuel line between them, though I'd rather not have the fuel pump in the cabin. A separate tank is under consideration.

I fired up the heater in the shop for the first time this evening and I am really looking forward to having that much heat in the cabin. Our little Siig propane heater is simple and compact but not so great at keeping us warm and dry.

How are you running the exhaust?

 

[mermike]

With great difficulty. Plan is to run 30mm exhaust tubing in a heavy insulating sock to the transom.