New Fuel Tank

[FourPoints]

I'm installing a new fuel tank this year, the old one was steel is rusted out. My plan is to go aluminum, I will leave a small air gap under the tank so it cannot trap water.

I've measured everything out and confirmed with a cardboard mockup that I should be able to fit this without having to cut anything to make room to pass it into the lazerette, and everything should be accessible.





My question is if I should, or should not include a drain port at the bottom of the tank to be easily able to drain all the fuel out at the end of the season, or in the case that I end up with bad gas and need to drain the tank.


Since I'm sure I'm going to get asked this question, I used google sketchup to make the drawings. It took me less than an hour, including watching a toutorial video since I've never used that application before.

 

[Bob S]

I'm not sure what kind of access you have but I'd rather an large inspection port rather than a drain. You can use the electric fuel pump to pump the tank but you need to be able to wipe down the insides once and a while. Why not use
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...dwords!6456&keyword=product_ad_12420&type=pla
if you can fit one?

 

[TLW]

Assuming you are mounting this fuel tank as low as possible, there would not be much room below it for a container into which the fuel could be drained. Using a hose on this fitting would then be a matter of pumping fuel to a higher container. You might as well pump it out through the filler tube. Eliminating the dedicated drain tube also eliminates some potential future leak.

 

[FourPoints]

I'm not sure what kind of access you have but I'd rather an large inspection port rather than a drain. You can use the electric fuel pump to pump the tank but you need to be able to wipe down the insides once and a while. Why not use
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...dwords!6456&keyword=product_ad_12420&type=pla
if you can fit one?

The tank will only fit behind the rudder post, under the swim platform. There will be just over 3/4" of clearance split between the top and bottom. No chance of getting an access port in there. This is the maximum dimensions that I can fit without having to cut things. Besides, I don't want 16gal of fuel, it'll go bad long before I burn through it. This will give me roughly 9.5gal, which is 1.5 gal more than the maximum I can carry onboard currently, split between a jerry can and the 3 gal running tank that is now rusted out. That is a nearly 20% increase in fuel capacity already, and I can still bring a jerry can if I need for longer passages.

Assuming you are mounting this fuel tank as low as possible, there would not be much room below it for a container into which the fuel could be drained. Using a hose on this fitting would then be a matter of pumping fuel to a higher container. You might as well pump it out through the filler tube. Eliminating the dedicated drain tube also eliminates some potential future leak.

There would be no way to get a container, just a drain hose. My thought was that if I could get the drain ALL the way to the bottom, it could get out fuel that would be below the level of the pickup tube, and more effective.

I could use the elec pump and the main pickup to get most of the fuel out, but that last half gallon or so at the bottom would always be left.

Eliminating a potential leak point is good though.

 

[caguy]

Thanks for posting this. The tank in the C 27 leaked on me and I need to replace it . I have a plastic tank installed right now temporarily but I forgot that I need a new tank. I called my salvage buddy and he has a stainless steel tank they pulled out of a C 27 waiting for me.
You may want to check your local salvage yards .

 

[FourPoints]

Thanks for posting this. The tank in the C 27 leaked on me and I need to replace it . I have a plastic tank installed right now temporarily but I forgot that I need a new tank. I called my salvage buddy and he has a stainless steel tank they pulled out of a C 27 waiting for me.
You may want to check your local salvage yards .

There were not many H-27's made with the inboard, so most came from the factory with the external 3gal tank that I am trying to replace. Additionally the stock tank location on the inboard model is where the water tank is located on the outboard model, so I would have to relocate the water tank, which I don't want to do. Given the space limitations I have, I don't think I'm likley to find a scrap tank that would work for me. I designed this to take maximum advantage of the space available.


I just got this back from Liinda at RDS Aluminum (www.rdsaluminum.com) who I plan to have make the tank:

Per Federal regulations no openings below the top most surface of the tank for gasoline usage, hence not drain allowed. Diesel is another set of regulations.

so looks like a tank drain is out of the qustion...

 

[FourPoints]

Just for fun I mocked up the inside and did a cutaway view

 

[Chris Patterson]

http://atlfuelcells.com/images/atl-art-newheader-710-o_10.jpg

Take a look at this companies fuel cells. I think I'm very impressed with their work. And yes, this is an ad for them, I own the company.

OK, not really. I technically don't own my truck.

But they look way cool..

 

[FourPoints]

Chris - not sure if that was a joke, or if you really are associated with them. if you are PM me, I would love to get a quote for the above tank design before I commit to the AL tank.

 

[woodster]

so looks like a tank drain is out of the qustion...

give Best Fab in Fl a call or e mail and see what they can do for you ....if you just eleminate the drain at the bottom you should be good to go.....if you need to empty the tank for some reason or other just use an electric fuel pump and a hose through the fuel gauge opening ...and btw best fab uses weema gauge sinding units the best ter is on the market...

regards

woody

 

[Chris Patterson]

Aw man, I'm terribly sorry dude. That was indeed a poor joke, I just didn't indicate it thoroughly I guess. Buddy I WISH I had something to do with them, because they look like a top notch fuel container company.

I'm sorry again for being misleading!!

 

[CaptGregg]

Hey Chris, I was going to say if that's what you call being a kept man, you're wife's got you snowed good dude! LOL

 

[Steve Dion]

What is wrong with a poly tank for fuel? It should last for ever!

 

[FourPoints]

Got the new tank today, and aside from possibly needing a couple additional hose clamps, I should have everything set and ready to install it this weekend, assuming it's warm enough to use the weld-mount epoxy.

Pre-Installed was a WEMA sending unit (I was prepared to special request it, but it came standard)







I stuck my borescope in through the fuel fill and grabbed a few pictures of the inside of the tank.

the sealed WEMA sending unit with the external float sensor


Underside of the sending unit looking up at the top of the tank


Fuel pickup ran all the way to the bottom of the tank, shouldn't be left with much in the tank when the pump runs dry


Someone wrote my name as Brain on the baffle


the bottom of the baffle has a weird bend to it, not sure why that would be, but I don't think it will hurt anything.