Fuel tanks

[MH Hawker]

Last year I had to replace both of my 6 gallon tanks, while on a vacation some crack head decided he needed them more than I did. It took a lot of looking to find 2 new tanks with out the new EPA venting stuff and of course the selection was very limited. I ended up going with Moeller tanks with the build in sight fuel gage. I do like the tanks their very heavy built and the sight gage works fine. However their rated to be 6.5 gallon tanks and on ever refill I am lucky if I can get 5 gallons in them, This is a problem because I mix my fuel in 6 gallon batches and why I have 2 tanks, I run a tank dry and switch tanks, I use bottles of per-measured oil, 16 oz to 6 gallons is 50 to 1.

I pulled one of the tanks off and brought it home to see what the deal is with them. First is the fuel pick up, its a rigid tube with no filter a full 1 inch off of the bottom of the tank and the way the tank is shaped the pick up is on the high end of the tank, The tank is sort of wedge shaped, the second problem is a raised section in the tank that creates a air void that stops you from adding a 1/2 gallon.

The mods will be to raise one end of the tank to eliminate the air void area and change the rigid pick up to a flexible pick up tube to the lowest area in the tank. I realize it was made that way to stop water from getting picked up by the motor but The marina has 4 separator filters on its fuel supply. I don't need a in tank filter because I use one in the fuel line any way.

I realize their portable tanks, but their mounted on the back and I fill at the marina, it kills my back to try to lift them on and off of the back of the boat. I have all ready done one tank so I will see if it cures the problem and I will take a few pictures later today.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Fuel tanks

Looks like the short pickup tubes were the majority of the problem. When we bought the old Bass Buggy last year it had a 6 gallon tank on it and I changed it to a 12 gallon Moeller. The only problem so far is that it doesn't have any handles on it for shaking the tank to mix the fuel so I carry an old wooded spoon and use the handle for a stir. The wife said she could see the gas slosh and mix pretty good when I was backing around to the ramp the other day.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fuel tanks

Yea I thought about going to a 12 gallon tank, then I would of had to add a fuel gage and so on, so I stuck with the twin 6 gal tanks. I like having a main and a reserve, I run a tank dry then switch and refill the empty the next time I go out. I run on a small limited hp lake so I can run 4 to 6 hours on 1 tank. I am anal about the fuel mix. The first year I owned the boat I bought 8 of the 16 oz 2 stroke oil bottles, now I buy a gallon of oil and refill the bottles, so when I add fuel its a simple matter of dumping in a bottle of oil and add gas, makes it very simple and you get a exact mix ever time.

It was a bit hard to find some 1/2 inch fuel line though that's what the tanks have in them for a pick up line.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Fuel tanks

Last year I had to replace both of my 6 gallon tanks, while on a vacation some crack head decided he needed them more than I did. It took a lot of looking to find 2 new tanks with out the new EPA venting stuff and of course the selection was very limited. I ended up going with Moeller tanks with the build in sight fuel gage. I do like the tanks their very heavy built and the sight gage works fine. However their rated to be 6.5 gallon tanks and on ever refill I am lucky if I can get 5 gallons in them, This is a problem because I mix my fuel in 6 gallon batches and why I have 2 tanks, I run a tank dry and switch tanks, I use bottles of per-measured oil, 16 oz to 6 gallons is 50 to 1.

I pulled one of the tanks off and brought it home to see what the deal is with them. First is the fuel pick up, its a rigid tube with no filter a full 1 inch off of the bottom of the tank and the way the tank is shaped the pick up is on the high end of the tank, The tank is sort of wedge shaped, the second problem is a raised section in the tank that creates a air void that stops you from adding a 1/2 gallon.

The mods will be to raise one end of the tank to eliminate the air void area and change the rigid pick up to a flexible pick up tube to the lowest area in the tank. I realize it was made that way to stop water from getting picked up by the motor but The marina has 4 separator filters on its fuel supply. I don't need a in tank filter because I use one in the fuel line any way.

I realize their portable tanks, but their mounted on the back and I fill at the marina, it kills my back to try to lift them on and off of the back of the boat. I have all ready done one tank so I will see if it cures the problem and I will take a few pictures later today.

It could be worse, just before Christmas someone stole my new mooring cover & it took 2 months and $2,500 to replace it. Ins covered all but $300 I guess someone needed a new roof for their shack.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fuel tanks

That really sucks and while insurance really helps out its the time and the aggravation that is also involves.

I made it out to the slip today and brought the other tank home

This is it stock and it shows the air pocket area



the stock pick up tube



the new hose I am adding, it will be in the very back of the tank at the lowest point



and this if how it will be sitting in the tank tray, it should cure the air pocket.