Temporary use of Portable fuel tank

[cbourne200]

Has anyone set up a portable fuel tank for use with diesel fuel?

Problem I'm running into involves possible fuel starvation from internal tank causing reliability problems. Best part of sailing season is slipping by & I'm unable to physically attack internal tank problem. Thinking of disconnecting input hose from filters, return hose from engine (leaving all hoses attached to internal tank). I'll use nylon straps to secure in quarter berth, attach new fuel line to filter and engine (replacing those previously removed).

I need ideas on how to attach fuel lines to tank - just push them down fill neck on tank, use fitting on tank for fuel to engine and drill hole for fitting/return. What type fitting for good fit. Do I need to worry about a vent?

Trying to do this as safely as possible and get back on water before temp & humidity hits 95*. Any ideas appreciated. Even those 'don't do it'.

Charles

 

[svchickadee]

Check with your insurance company.

 

[Sunbird22358]

I wouldn't want the tank just sitting on the quarterberth, but with diesel you could locate tank in the cockpit locker and strap it down against any movement. I'd want it vented overboard if possible, might be able to drill out vent in the tank's fill cap and use a "T" fitting to hook up both return line and vent. Instead of cockpit locker, I'd use the compartment originally amolded into hte cockpit for a gas outboard fuel tank. A temporary hold drilled through one side to allow fuel line and return line to reach engine in bilge would work and then overboard vent would not really be needed.

But, then I'm not Diesel expert...... however.... I do remember reading somewhere about someone doing this very same thing (using portable outboard tank as temp diesel tank). You might check out the GOOD OLD BOAT web site for an article in a back-issue, seems like that was where I read it?? GOOGLE "temporary Diesel tank" to hopefully find info.

 

[jibes138]

You can get a small 7 gallon (actual size 6 gallon) diesel tank from Moeller. It has all the correct fittings and vent already installed. I used one for a while to allow my engine to run in case I had to move the boat while I was replacing my main fuel tank. It was about twice the cost of a portable gas fuel tank. West is now selling them but I bought it elsewhere for a lot less. Here's the picture. It is a 1 foot cube tank.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/moeller--test-fuel-tank-7-gal--14568026

 

[cbourne200]

Gas portable tanks have doubled in price since I last was in the market, even at Wal-Mart!

Dave, I like your tank - everything except the price. But it has all the fittings, etc..., so may be best/cheapest overall solution. Good idea about location. Will check dimensions to insure fit. Also check for smaller size as a Westerbeke 10-2 is very economical on fuel. 5 gals purchased last year -still have 1gal in portable tank plus about 4 in tank (obviously had some in permanent tank when I bought 5 gal...).

Thanks for comments

Charles

 

[jibes138]

Gas portable tanks have doubled in price since I last was in the market, even at Wal-Mart! Dave, I like your tank - everything except the price. But it has all the fittings, etc..., so may be best/cheapest overall solution. Good idea about location. Will check dimensions to insure fit. Also check for smaller size as a Westerbeke 10-2 is very economical on fuel. 5 gals purchased last year -still have 1gal in portable tank plus about 4 in tank (obviously had some in permanent tank when I bought 5 gal...). Thanks for comments Charles

. It is advertised as 7 gals but when I had 5 gals in it it was almost full. You can see the level through the plastic. Might have taken a half gal more. Shop around as other companies might be lower cost.

 

[cbourne200]

I spent all yesterday afternoon looking through ebay with 'marine diesel fuel tank'. 66 pages with 50 items later I am no better off than before. I probably saw 1000 diesel tank caps, 300 diesel shirts/blouses, 600 'thomas the tank engine's train cars, and many other things I don't remember, but that were totally unrelated to diesel fuel tank.

I measured my 'portable tank lazarette' and found it to be 20Lx14.5Wx10.5H. Unable to use the tank found by Dave - by the way, HOW did you find that tank? I must be doing something wrong in my search of the Internet - I can't find nearly what you have found!

 

[jibes138]

I found it at a Rhode Island company that does plumbing systems for boats.

go to Moeller's website, find the tank you want then search the net for a distributor using the model number.