Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

[Mark42]

Im at the point where I want to fasten the tank to the boat. I made a 2" high platform from P/T 2x4 and plywood so that the tank could move forward just another inch and clear a "lip" to its rear. The platform will be epoxied (or maybe construction adhesive) to the fiberglass floor. I didn't buy straps because I didn't like the idea of 14 gallons of gas being held in place by a plastic clasp. <br /><br />Thinking of putting a length of 2x3 across the top and attach to the base with two length of wire & turnbuckle assemblies, one on each side.<br /><br />Any suggestions? The tank is basically just sitting in the open. Foam is not an option .<br /><br />Also, this cross-linked-poly-something-or-other tank will be sitting directly on p/t plywood. Any issues with that?<br /><br />As you can probably tell, this is my first attempt at mounting a permanent fuel tank.<br /><br />I'll post pics tonight after we get back from a trip to the NY Aquarium today.

 

[tengals123]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

look forward to those pics mark.<br /><br />cheers

 

[Bondo]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

I'd skip the wire,+ turnbuckles.....<br /><br />As Long as the tank is Caged,+ Can't shift Forward, Rearward, or Side to Side,....... <br />The 2X3s could be screwed to Whatever to hold the tank from Flying,..... Which is Really Quite Rare......<br /><br />I know of Absolutely No Issues with a Plastic tank sitting on Wood...... Direct Contact shouldn't be an Issue.........<br /><br />I Agree,..... Foam is Not made to Hold a Fuel Tank.... <br />You just need to keep it from Bouncing Around..................

 

[Realgun]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Bondo you can use foam to hold a tank the USCG said so. The caviate is that it had to be the 4 pound or denser stuff. For palstic I would use straps rather than foam that stuff cn really get warm, I got my hand it it OUCH! and it can crush or squeeze a panel or tank pretty easy.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Oh, I Agree,.... Foam Can Be Used,..........<br /><br />But,.... Not in My Boat............. <br /><br />Remember,...... I've the Soda Pop Bottle Advocate Guy................ <br /><br />Besides,...... A Plastic Tank,..... As long as it's supported reasonably well,+ Caged with 2Xs or Plywood, or Whatever,... Isn't Going Anywhere......... The Foam Would/Could limit the tanks expansion,.. And they do change size quite a bit.........<br /><br />Mine are going to sit on strips of plastic for drainage,+ ventalation,...... And, be Boxed in with Plywood,... A Bulkhead foreward,+ a removable panel aft,..... And of course a floor hatch above,.... Under the hatch will be a couple of strips of plywood screwed in.........Just to keep it from Flying......<br /><br />No Foam.............. <br /><br /><br />I've just been out Measuring,........ I'm looking at an Odd Ball Sized tank,.......Only got 23" Wide to work with between the stringers,....<br />And,.. A Belly Tank to Boot..........<br />Might have to Build them Myself,.......

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Here are some shots of the work...<br /><br />Gauges mounted in dash. Gas and Volts added to right of wheel. Added the voltage gauge because its inexpensive, good to have, and it helps hide another hole in the dash. The tank is visible under the dash. I have left room to the right of the new gauges to add a third in that cluster to balance the layout. The third gauge will make a V shape to the right hand cluster, and hopefully that little black hole will fall withing the hole cut for the third gauge. Just haven't decided what gauge to add yet. Maybe water pressure?<br />

<br /><br />The location for the gauges was determined by some holes some prior owner made, and I wanted to hide the holes by incorporating them into the new gauge location. You can see the holes that the gauges hide in the plugs taken from drilling the gauge holes:<br />

<br /><br />Here is tank sitting on pressure treated plywood and 2x4 base. There are 3 2x4's supporting the plywood, the 3rd is up front and doesn't show. <br /><br />

 

[tengals123]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

now, that's a nice cockpit!!!!<br />nice gauge set mark, I bought the same set as you! Notice the white wheel, that's what I wanted in leather, but couldnt find one, so went for black and blue. I still can't get over how clear your windscreen is. super job! looking better every post.<br /><br />cheers

 

[Realgun]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Honestly mark a Strap around the tank thats about 2-3 inches wide would do the job just fine. You even left space to pass it under the tank. Do you have two fuel guages?

 

[tengals123]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

I recon they are 1 temp, volt and fuel. least that's what they look like.<br /><br />cheers

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Realgun,<br /><br />Funny you should mention a strap. Tonight on my way home from work I picked up an adjustable strap to run around the tank and under the platform. Between that and a 4" long filler hose, it should be locked in place fairly well. Also going to add a one or two inch high piece of plywood to the base so it sits "in" it, not just "on" it. <br /><br />Tengals, your correct they are temp on left, fuel and volt on right. Can never have too many gauges! <br /><br />Also picked up some brass pipe fittings that I need to get the 3-way valve hooked up right. A couple of 90* and a nipple to get the quick connect below the gunnel and in view so it's easy to connect to. The output barb needs a 90 or it hits the inside top if the gunnel. <br /><br />Didn't do too much on the boat tonight because UPS dropped the Hidden Hitch I ordered and I installed it..

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Thats unfortunate.... I was hoping for some home video of you driving through town & launching your boat with your lawn tractor.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

never foam-in a plastic tank.. tempo tank instrucions tell ya that.. you'll have a condensate tank if'n you do..<br /><br />a couple nylon 'ratchet straps' ( 4 for 10 bucks ) will work perfectly..

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

nylon ratchet straps will work for a long time before you have any problems with them getting weak. Maybe not in the service life of the boat. Another option might be to cut a small box for the fuel tank to sit on top of, drill holes through the sides of that box, and find someone who does boxing and/or shipping. They have that little metal-strap ratchet. Metal straps held the gas tank in my 68 Mark Twain in place for nearly 40 years, until I cut it a couple of weeks ago to access the tow hook.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

AMD, I was going to take pics of the hitch install for shareaproject.com, but wife wanted to go to the YMCA and I had to hustle. So no instalation pics, but I did take a few finish pics. <br /><br />I think I'm going to try to beat Realgun for the number of sub-projects under my boat. Some ideas I have are 1) Mounting my boat hook with clips. 2) Advanced cup holder installation tips. 3) how to organize stuff under your lounge seats and 4) Dashboard top compass install. <br /><br />Edit: Realgun, you know I'm just teasing you. I really admire your work.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Mark, please hurry up with those advanced cup holder installation tips as I will soon be ready to install mine I received last Xmas and need all the help I can get.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

I see I never thought it was a contest. <br /><br />I just got tired of scrolling and scrolling and scrolling to post a pic then scrolling and scrolling and... well you get the idea

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Yeah, I know what you mean by all the scrolling. Actually having the sub projecs is a nice way of indexing the project.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Tonight I cut some 3/4" x 2" blocks out of 1/2" thick pt plywood and epoxied them to the hull under the port gunnel so I have something to mount the fuel line to. I'm using plastic 1/2" plumbing pipe clamps that clip on the fuel hose and then get screwed to the wood blocks. The pipe clamps are perfect for mounting fuel line. I also used them last year to mount the teleflex steering cable. <br /><br />Finished wireing the dash except for one ground wire for the new gauge lights. I ran short on the U crip connectors. Picked up fresh liquid electrical tape too. It's surprising how quickly some connections I made last summer start corroding from just being in the salt air. Going to give everything a second coat of it tomorrow. <br /><br />Now I have a series of those blocks spaced about every foot from the splashwell up to the dash, then across the underside of the deck over to the drivers seat where the primer bulb will be, then straight to the tank fill. I set it up so the primer bulb is about a foot behind the gauges in the center of the dash, not a hard reach, and it will be out of sight there even if it hangs down a few inches.<br /><br />I also went to loosen the fuel connection on the tank and rotate it 180 and man, oh man, oh man, that was on tight. I cleaned up the threads and reassembled using teflon tape as recomended for fuel line NPT connections.<br /><br />I was going to run the fuel line right up to the motor with an OMC connector on it. But the 5/16" fuel line I bought is much heavier with a much thicker wall than the fuel line assemblies for portable tanks. This is the fuel line that I am using:<br /><br />

<br /><br />I'll have to see how flexable it is after warming up in the sun. It is listed as having "good bend radious", but that doesn't tell me how "limp" it is.<br /><br />Also built a mount for the 3-way fuel valve, all I have to do is drill a hole for the stem and two mounting screws and it's in.<br /><br />I'll take a few pics of the progress tomorrow. I'm too tired now.<br /><br />See ya all tomorrow.

 

[tengals123]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

look forward to those pics. keep it up.<br /><br />cheers

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permanent Fuel Tank - Test Drive Update

Here are some update photos from the weekends efforts. All I have to do is run a ground wire, connect the deck fill plate to the filler hose, and put a connector on the end of the fuel line for the motor connection. Then I'm done. <br /><br />This is how I hung the fuel line under the gunnel.

<br /><br />3-way valve before mounting. Set up to take an OMC connecter directly to support auxiliary tank. Then just flip the lever to switch between main tank and auxiliary. <br /><br />

<br /><br />Here the switch is mounted.<br />

<br /><br />More fuel line routing under the front deck.

<br /><br />Back side of the dash. Tach and speedo gauges. Probably could have been neater with the wiring.