Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

[BOAH]

On my setup, I run off of three different 6-gallon portable tanks. What I would really like to do is tie them all together so when I'm out for the day, I don't have to mess with them. Is there a way to daisy chain them together?

I haven't figured this one out yet.

Thanks for your help!

 

[F_R]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

You have to either switch them by plugging/unplugging the hose, or install a valve to switch from hose to hose. Simply teeing them all together won't work because they won't all draw equally, and when the first one runs dry the motor will suck air from that empty tank instead of sucking gas from a full one. There are such tings as fuel switching valve kits. Maybe iboats has them???

 

[joelybob]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

if you have the room buy one big tank and do away with the 3 smaller ones

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

You can hook them all together with a shutoff for each. Fill all three and with all valves open, run until the first one runs dry. You should be able to burn 15 gal or so, before that happens. Now you must ID the empty and close it's valve, and run on the other two.

Not a perfect setup, but might work for you.

 

[scottmm73]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

Why don't you run fuel pumps from both outer tanks to the center tank. As fuel is depleted from the center run the pumps to refill the center tank. You can either run them manually (turn switch on and off yourself) or have an automatic system that has a fuel pump cutoff switch to both pumps when the center tank is full. Just a thought.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

You could in theory if there was a common line at the bottom of each tank daisy chain them together. The fuel will find it's own level if all 3 tanks were connected as close to the bottom as possible or in the bottom of the tank. That would mean plugging the top outlet on the center and last tank and putting in 4 barb fittings, one on the first tank, 2 on the center and 1 on the last tank. Not sure how to go about making the barb fittings not leak if they were on the side at the lowest point possible since there is no way to get inside the tank to put a backer on the barb fitting. I can see the only way is to put a 90 degree in the bottom of the tank, directly under the filler cap then you could reach down inside with a ratchet extension to put the backer nut on. To keep the tank from teetering all you would need are 2 pieces of wood running the length of the tank array at the right height for the tanks to sit on.

Man that sounds crazy after reading it again...

 

[F_R]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

Here ya go....The right way to run three tanks. They also have them for two tanks, etc.
Only one primer bulb needed, in the hose between the valve and motor.
Moeller Four-Way Valve 033304-10 - iboats

 

[BOAH]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

Thanks for all of the feedback! I'll have to give this one some more thought of whether or not it's really worth it.

Thanks again.

 

[BOAH]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

After thinking about this, I don't think I'll pursue daisy-chaining these tanks together so let me ask this differently.

My boat is a '72 Starcraft that has been modified and these portable tanks are stored by the transom underneath out of the way. The problem is that they're kind of difficult to get to once I have them all in place and it's hard to see any of the tank mounted fuel gauges. Is there any type of system that allows you to see the fuel level of a portable tank remotely?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

Yes there is. A friend of mine had the same issue. He drilled and mounted three fuel senders, one in each tank. He wired these through a three pole selector switch and plumbed the fuel lines thru a three nipple selector valve. He would run one tank dry and then switch the guage and fuel selector to the next tank. My friends boat only had room for the three 6 gal tanks. A permanent tabk would not fit, but he had top access to fill the tanks.

FWIW - I think you should get either a permanent tank or a single large tank that you can pull partially out to access filler. You could wire a gauge to it or simply carry a spare 6 gal tank as a reserve. When you go dry on main tank, hook up the reserve and head home.

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: Want to daisy-chain gas tanks

personaly i would sooner have 3 tanks with 3 seperate fuel lines.
then any problems you can always switch to whatever is working and know you still have a spare set of fuel pipes and bulb.

if you run out of 3 tanks a day then you dont carry enough fuel anyway.

how big is the engine ?

phill