Please can one of the guru's help. I had 4 x tanks

[barryfish]

Please can one of the guru's help. I had 4 x tanks original Hondas with fittings. I am switching to 4 x 25lt square tanks with valved cap and. They will all fit into a single compartment, the 4 I had I had to store 2 separate as they do not fit.

I have 2 lines from the compartment one for each motor.

I need to couple 2 tanks together, preferably with a switch / valve so I can choose which tank per motor. What is the best / simplest inexpensive way of doing this?

Thanks guys

 

[lurker69]

Do you have to be able to switch them? IVe got six tanks and have joined 4 with a t piece between two. Theoretically having the pipes the exact same lengths they should drain equally .. well thats my theory anyway As usual im up for correction ...
Although you might want to run your tanks seperately so that you know when your half way through them?

 

[Pro-Duck]

I would split the fuel line (if you follow it from the motor back to the tank) Just before the tanks with a T. Both pipes - each going into a tank, fit a inline tap or valve(almost like the ones you use to close the water inlet of a toilet ) for plumbing. This way you open only the one you use. This may be wrong, but lets hear from the experts....  

 

[jared]

I remember one could get a three way selector from the 4X4 stores.

Used this in my old landy. it was a cheaper solution to having a seperate fuel pump that pumps from one tank into the other. I also had two fuel guages so as to know when to switch over, nothing worse than running dry and having a airlock

Cheers jared

 

[benniejordaan]

lurker69 wrote:

Do you have to be able to switch them? IVe got six tanks and have joined 4 with a t piece between two. Theoretically having the pipes the exact same lengths they should drain equally .. well thats my theory anyway As usual im up for correction ...
Although you might want to run your tanks seperately so that you know when your half way through them?

Theoretically you are correct, they should drain at the same rate. You should still however have valves so that if one empties quicker, you switch the valve to shut it off. Just for safety.

I don't use valves, I just swop the caps over when changing fuel cans. I also prefer draining one at a time. Check at motorcycle shops, they sell small in-line fuel valves. They are essentially replacements for bikes whos tank valves are leaking.

I wouldn't use valves meant for water taps, I do not know what their seals are like and the last thing I'd want is for the seals to perish.

 

[barryfish]

Hi Lurker 69, do want to have them separate so I know when one tank is dry.

Was concerned about airlocks and the 3 way selectors are R 750 + and are ugly and no so easy to mount. The toilet shut off may be the way to go with a Y joint.

want to do it once properly, thought there must be a easy way. any other ideas solutions??

 

[barryfish]

Hi Bennie,

Thanks dude genius. that sounds like the way to go. so you have 1 fuel line to the tank pick up and .... yeh no valve, one less pick up and.. it's simple, move the pick up to the full tank.


The cap for the spare tank, has to have air valve?

Thanks all
Barry

Barry

 

[Lacost]

Hi barryfish

 

The water tap valve will not work as the seals will be distorted by the fuel.

 

[lurker69]

Thanks Bennie ... I wanted a small inline shutoff valve but couldnt find one to suit the petrol needs ... I do want one to be able to shutoff so I can then switch to my other 2 tanks ...Will give a m/bike shop a visit later

 

[barryfish]

Hi Lacost,

Going to use same system as Benniejavascript:emoticon('vvidevb', 'images/emoticons/idea2.gif') and swop over the pick up when tank empty, less joins, less parts, less to go wrong.

Thanks for the advise on the water fittings.

Barry

vvidevbvvidevb

 

[mrwhite]

Barry why don't you just take it down to the agents and let them do it for you....

 

[barryfish]

mrwhite,

been there done that........getting the tanks from a agent, when I have no fuel to a engine 10 miles out, I need to be able to fix the problem. this way i can as I have connected it myself and do not have to work out which way the agent ran the lines etc

Agents,mmmh I have Honda's on the back, I will say no more...........and not go there.

Ta

 

[mrwhite]

Barry sorry couldn't help but ask just to see your reaction. Glad to see that you are able to use your boat at long last. I hope you only have enjoyment ahead of you now.

 

[barryfish]

Mrwhite...

Nope boat not working yet.......MAYBY next week, as the second supply of trims have arrived last week, and they are the correct trims this time finally, however they came without plastic bushes needed to fit them, so after another week to get my old trims shipped back to me, so I can reclaim the bushes They ARRIVED today and FINALLY after many months I appear to have all the parts needed.

It is booked in for Next week Tuesday to get the trims fitted and barring any unforeseen missing pieces it should be working by Wednesday, though I will not get excited until the motors tilt under power.....here's hoping.

NEXT WEEKEND .............going to witsand, best to test the boat in the estuary first. Gonna be very pissed if not working by then though.

Thanks for the Jibe, know just how to push them buttons.

 

[barryfish]

Have found out that the hydraulic supply guys (hyflo)and the like do supply varied sized shut off valves that can work in fuel environments and are much cheaper than the m/cycle ones. FYI

Gonna just change the pick up / caps on these tanks.

Thanks Bennie and all for the info.

 

[lurker69]

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=18094&forum_id=19&jump_to=495987#p495987

Modified my fuel setup ...

 

[Cam Mundy]

Hi If i can through a spanner in the works the best system on a boat is the simplest system why bugger about with T valves(?) and and wot not tanks looking empty swop the needles launch on full tanks beach on your fullest tanks done and dusted

 

[barryfish]

Hi Lurker69

Saw the set up, nice ride progressing there. I was going to just swap the pick ups. Saw Miles added to your post SAMSA regs for cut off.

Does removing the filler cap count as a shut off?

Barry

 

[miles]

Hiya

The problem with changing the fuel pick-up's at sea is that its seldom that calm here in the Cape and you end up messing fuel over the deck. Makes a mess of things!!

On my hysucat i installed simple 3 way valve - tank1, tank2 andf OFF. Bought at my local boat shop and was around R200 at the time.

The cheapest way how-ever is the simple inline cut-off switch available from your local boating shop.

Yet another option is those brass fitting that 'snap' on, like the fittings used on a compressor. Makes for very easy quick connections. (unfortunately, i don't have a picture of them)

 

[Redhawk]

Miles, you referring to these?