There is a threaded plug in the top of my tank. It sits up so high that the locker lid hits it. I was wondering how to get a shorter plug but couldn’t find anything. However, there was a thread on this foruum about using a cleanout and I think that would be just the ticket. I'm just looking for clearance. Have you got any other ideas? Can I use a Beckson cleanout? I hate the thought of a clear lid, Yuck. I'll try not to look in there too often. Thanks, Dan
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I'm not Peggy but....
Did you try screwing the plug down all the way to get more clearance? Doesn't seem right that the boat was designed without clearance. If the tank is that polyethelyne material it may have expanded because you overfilled it. I did this on a water tank and had the same problem. Try and step on it, when it's empty to see if you can lower it back into the original shape. Good luck.
Did you try screwing the plug down all the way to get more clearance? Doesn't seem right that the boat was designed without clearance. If the tank is that polyethelyne material it may have expanded because you overfilled it. I did this on a water tank and had the same problem. Try and step on it, when it's empty to see if you can lower it back into the original shape. Good luck.
I am not Peggie either!
By no means do I try to replace her! She is invaluable! Some plugs have an external shape to be inserted with a wench. Other plugs are made with an internal drive to be inserted with a socket wrench end. They tend to lay flush. r.w.landau
By no means do I try to replace her! She is invaluable! Some plugs have an external shape to be inserted with a wench. Other plugs are made with an internal drive to be inserted with a socket wrench end. They tend to lay flush. r.w.landau
I AM Peggie...and y'all aren't asking enough questions
before giving advice. Why is there a plug in the top of the tank? What size is it? Is the tank plastic, metal or fiberglass?
before giving advice. Why is there a plug in the top of the tank? What size is it? Is the tank plastic, metal or fiberglass?
I'm not Peggie, either...
...but it sounds like a dealer's question (and fix) to me. I wouldn't take that responsibility.
...but it sounds like a dealer's question (and fix) to me. I wouldn't take that responsibility.
Sorry about not enough info.
I assumed since I know what it looks like, everybody knows what it look like. The tank is a plastic tank. It is the original tank. When Catalina installed the tank, they just dropped it into the locker and tabbed a piece of plywood on two sides of the tank. Since it wedged itself in the trapezoid shape void, it didn't move. I bought the boat, the plywood was rotted to the equivalent of drift wood. So I built a proper support for the bottom of the tank and along all the sides. I miscalculated by about 1/8". There is a threaded opening in the top of the tank. The thread is 1 1/4" NPT. It looks as if it would be for tank level gage in a deeper compartment, but not in this compartment. I have looked for a flush plastic plug, but can't find one. I can seem to find every other size but not 1 1/4". When I read the thread about installing a cleanout, I thought this would solve my clearance problem. I'm just looking for a little clearance. Thanks everyone, Dan
I assumed since I know what it looks like, everybody knows what it look like.
The tank is a plastic tank. It is the original tank. When Catalina installed the tank, they just dropped it into the locker and tabbed a piece of plywood on two sides of the tank. Since it wedged itself in the trapezoid shape void, it didn't move. I bought the boat, the plywood was rotted to the equivalent of drift wood. So I built a proper support for the bottom of the tank and along all the sides. I miscalculated by about 1/8". There is a threaded opening in the top of the tank. The thread is 1 1/4" NPT. It looks as if it would be for tank level gage in a deeper compartment, but not in this compartment. I have looked for a flush plastic plug, but can't find one. I can seem to find every other size but not 1 1/4". When I read the thread about installing a cleanout, I thought this would solve my clearance problem. I'm just looking for a little clearance. Thanks everyone, Dan
Ok, now I have enough info to give advice...
You built a new support for the tank, but miscalculated by about 1/8", which seems to be the amount by which the plug is now too high. The simplest solution would prob'ly be to correct your mistake so that the tank sits where it belongs. Do NOT try to crank the plug down any tighter...threaded fittings in plastic tanks are NPT standard, which is slighty tapered...so tightening the plug--or any fitting--more than 1.5 turns past hand tight will result in a cracked female "collar." An inspection port isn't likely to sit any lower than your plug, so I don't think it's the solution. Ronco Plastics http://www.ronco-plastics.com has supplied tanks to Catalina for more than 20 years...you might try calling them to see if they have a plug that will sit 1/8" lower. If they don't, I think your only viable solution is to correct your mistake so the tank sits where it was designed to sit. Sometimes we just have to do it over and learn from the experience.
You built a new support for the tank, but miscalculated by about 1/8", which seems to be the amount by which the plug is now too high. The simplest solution would prob'ly be to correct your mistake so that the tank sits where it belongs. Do NOT try to crank the plug down any tighter...threaded fittings in plastic tanks are NPT standard, which is slighty tapered...so tightening the plug--or any fitting--more than 1.5 turns past hand tight will result in a cracked female "collar." An inspection port isn't likely to sit any lower than your plug, so I don't think it's the solution. Ronco Plastics http://www.ronco-plastics.com has supplied tanks to Catalina for more than 20 years...you might try calling them to see if they have a plug that will sit 1/8" lower. If they don't, I think your only viable solution is to correct your mistake so the tank sits where it was designed to sit. Sometimes we just have to do it over and learn from the experience.
Ok, here is one other option
Mark the plug on the plywood that is laying over it. drill a 1 1/4" hole in the plywood. The cushion will not know the difference.The hole does not have to go all the way through. It could be just enough to let the plywood lay flat. r.w.landau
Mark the plug on the plywood that is laying over it. drill a 1 1/4" hole in the plywood. The cushion will not know the difference.The hole does not have to go all the way through. It could be just enough to let the plywood lay flat. r.w.landau
That's not a bad idea, r.w.
And if he misses on the location for the hole, he can always make it bigger!
And if he misses on the location for the hole, he can always make it bigger!
Just a thought
I assume that your boat is put up for the winter. you could remove the plastic plug and take it with you when you visit a plumbing supply store. A store dedicated solely to plumbing would be a better choice than Home Depot or Lowes, although if they're convient to visit, you may get lucky. Look for a BRASS plug to replace the plastic plug. You may be able to find a cleanout plug with a recessed socket thatwill provide thalower provile you need. If your search comes up empty, maybe you could have a machine shop make a plug out of a non-ferrous material that will serve you. It may be a lot easier than re-doing your fuel locker.
I assume that your boat is put up for the winter. you could remove the plastic plug and take it with you when you visit a plumbing supply store. A store dedicated solely to plumbing would be a better choice than Home Depot or Lowes, although if they're convient to visit, you may get lucky. Look for a BRASS plug to replace the plastic plug. You may be able to find a cleanout plug with a recessed socket thatwill provide thalower provile you need. If your search comes up empty, maybe you could have a machine shop make a plug out of a non-ferrous material that will serve you. It may be a lot easier than re-doing your fuel locker.
Brass plug not a good idea, Mike...for 2 reasons
Metal fittings (or plugs) should never be used in a plastic tank because metal and plastic have vastly different thermal co-efficients--the technical term for "they expand and contract at very different rates and amounts." Plastic expands and contracts much more than metal, which can result in cracked plastic or a leaking fitting or plug. Brass is a bad choice in any marine application because it corrodes too easily. It's an even worse choice in any application that puts it in contact with sewage because urine is so corrosive it makes salt appear benign in comparison to it. BRONZE or high grade stainless are the only metals suitable for marine applications, but not in this one for the reason I described above. So a plastic plug is his only good choice. Isn't it interesting how just one small mistake in solving one problem--in this case, a mismeasurement of only 1/4" or less--can result in bigger problems that are always much harder to solve.
Metal fittings (or plugs) should never be used in a plastic tank because metal and plastic have vastly different thermal co-efficients--the technical term for "they expand and contract at very different rates and amounts." Plastic expands and contracts much more than metal, which can result in cracked plastic or a leaking fitting or plug. Brass is a bad choice in any marine application because it corrodes too easily. It's an even worse choice in any application that puts it in contact with sewage because urine is so corrosive it makes salt appear benign in comparison to it. BRONZE or high grade stainless are the only metals suitable for marine applications, but not in this one for the reason I described above. So a plastic plug is his only good choice. Isn't it interesting how just one small mistake in solving one problem--in this case, a mismeasurement of only 1/4" or less--can result in bigger problems that are always much harder to solve.
Thanks Peggie
I appreciate the feed back, and it got me to wondering why my plastic fuel tank has brass fittings. Hmmmmm
I appreciate the feed back, and it got me to wondering why my plastic fuel tank has brass fittings. Hmmmmm
Plastic to Metal (bad) Experience
To tag on to Peggie's comment, I had a bad experience with a plastic pipe to water heater connection. During the commissioning of our boat there was a constant small puddle of water under the water heater and the dealer tried to fix it about two or three times but never got it fixed. It was really difficult to find where the leak was coming from due to the design of the water heater with its insulated enclosure. I finally figured out that it seemed to be coming from the 90º plastic pipe fittings into the metal tank. The pluming was Qest®, the company with the lawsuit (US Brass) which was plastic pipe and plastic connections. The "fix" turned out to be the installation of a metal 90º ell with a compression fitting that used a brass ring that fit over the pipe. The compression fitting fix turned out to be the no-leak solution.
To tag on to Peggie's comment, I had a bad experience with a plastic pipe to water heater connection. During the commissioning of our boat there was a constant small puddle of water under the water heater and the dealer tried to fix it about two or three times but never got it fixed. It was really difficult to find where the leak was coming from due to the design of the water heater with its insulated enclosure. I finally figured out that it seemed to be coming from the 90º plastic pipe fittings into the metal tank. The pluming was Qest®, the company with the lawsuit (US Brass) which was plastic pipe and plastic connections. The "fix" turned out to be the installation of a metal 90º ell with a compression fitting that used a brass ring that fit over the pipe. The compression fitting fix turned out to be the no-leak solution.
Flush-mount plug
One thing that hasn't been brought up in this thread, is that a flush-mount plug requires a tool of some sort to install and remove it. In some cases, the required tool can stick up higher than the other type of plug with a wrench grip on top of it - so a flush-mount plug isn't an automatic solution...!
One thing that hasn't been brought up in this thread, is that a flush-mount plug requires a tool of some sort to install and remove it. In some cases, the required tool can stick up higher than the other type of plug with a wrench grip on top of it - so a flush-mount plug isn't an automatic solution...!
Thansk for all the responses
I have no intention of mounting the tank the way Catalina did. Just throw it in the hole and glue it in there. So it will stay on the mount it's on. I would love a flush plug. I do not need to remove the plug - ever. I really don't want to cut a big hole in the lid to the settee, however, the cushion does cover it. You can see the blasted thing here. I don't know why it's even there. Dan http://home.wmis.net/%7Edhapp/wtank/wtank06.jpg
I have no intention of mounting the tank the way Catalina did. Just throw it in the hole and glue it in there. So it will stay on the mount it's on. I would love a flush plug. I do not need to remove the plug - ever. I really don't want to cut a big hole in the lid to the settee, however, the cushion does cover it. You can see the blasted thing here. I don't know why it's even there. Dan http://home.wmis.net/%7Edhapp/wtank/wtank06.jpg
Why won't this blasted web site let me post a phot
ARRRGGG having a bad day!!!!!! http://home.wmis.net/~dhapp/wtank/wtank06.jpg
ARRRGGG having a bad day!!!!!! http://home.wmis.net/~dhapp/wtank/wtank06.jpg
Me too, r.w...
The elbow on the vent fitting sticks up at least twice as far as the plug...which could easily make it the real source of the problem. So maybe the real solution is a plug in the vent fitting and a new fitting for the vent on the side of the tank. Which isn't hard to do, btw. There's a li'l doodad called the "Uniseal" that makes fitting relocation very easy. Check it out here: http://www.aussieoutpost.com/servlet/StoreFront
The elbow on the vent fitting sticks up at least twice as far as the plug...which could easily make it the real source of the problem. So maybe the real solution is a plug in the vent fitting and a new fitting for the vent on the side of the tank. Which isn't hard to do, btw. There's a li'l doodad called the "Uniseal" that makes fitting relocation very easy. Check it out here: http://www.aussieoutpost.com/servlet/StoreFront
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