Gas tank

[SgtMaj]

Since I know now how I'll do my livewell, the next thing for me to understand is the gas tanks. How many tubes/wires are there coming from a belly tank? How much clearance to the bottom of the deck does it need? Well, that's about it really, unless you can think of something else I'll need to know.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gas tank

google marine gas tanks. most have instructions. you need fill, vent, and outlet to motor. wire for fuel guage.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

google marine gas tanks. most have instructions. you need fill, vent, and outlet to motor. wire for fuel guage.

I asked here because I knew I'd get what I was forgetting, and I had completely forgotten about the vent... see? You've helped already. I should probably check with the company that I'm going to order the tank from about deck clearance, but I thought I'd try to get a ballpark figure first to see if a belly tank is even feasable in my situation.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gas tank

most listing include the needed space requirements. most plastics, require 1/2 to 1 inch on all sides, as they expand.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Gas tank

I just installed a 25 gal tank under my deck.
The filler in the top of the tank was 3" tall and the filler on the deck stuck down another 3" and you need room between them for the hose.
The deck filler I bought also incorporated the vent.
Make sure the tank is strapped down very well. That is a lot of weight to be sloshing around.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

I just installed a 25 gal tank under my deck.
The filler in the top of the tank was 3" tall and the filler on the deck stuck down another 3" and you need room between them for the hose.
The deck filler I bought also incorporated the vent.
Make sure the tank is strapped down very well. That is a lot of weight to be sloshing around.

This one's going to be MUCH smaller, maybe 5 gallons, if that. I was thinking about cementing it in with resin. I wonder if they can put the filler in the side of the tank instead of the top. That would really help to maximize my available space.

most listing include the needed space requirements. most plastics, require 1/2 to 1 inch on all sides, as they expand.

There's no listing for it because it's going to be custom-made. And I shouldn't have to worry too much about expansion because it's going to be aluminum.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Gas tank

I would never PERMENANTLY install a tank.
Since your getting it made, have them weld a couple of brackets so you can bolt it to something.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

I would never PERMENANTLY install a tank.
Since your getting it made, have them weld a couple of brackets so you can bolt it to something.

Why wouldn't you have one permenantly installed?

 

[DJ]

Re: Gas tank

A side fill would not work. It would defeat the purpose of a "fill". Plus, a side fill neck would leave fuel in contact with the fill hose, when full. Not a good idea.

The tank maker may entertain putting a 90 degree, or 45 degree, fill neck on it. The 90 or 45 if placed on the edge (corner) of the tank would gain some additional clearance.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

Ok, what about this, what would stop someone from just putting the gas cap fitting directly onto the top of the tank with no fill hose so that the tank could sit flush against the bottom of the deck? I know it would leave open the possibility of overfilling, but I can be careful enough not to do that.

 

[DJ]

Re: Gas tank

SgtMaj.,

You can do that but I would advise against having the cap directly flush with the top of the tank. You need a little bit of a fill pipe, even if it's only 1/2" tall. Otherwise, you are relying totally on the cap gasket to hold the fuel back.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

SgtMaj.,

You can do that but I would advise against having the cap directly flush with the top of the tank. You need a little bit of a fill pipe, even if it's only 1/2" tall. Otherwise, you are relying totally on the cap gasket to hold the fuel back.

That I can handle. I maybe could just have the local area around the cap recessed about 1/4" then of course the deck itself is 1/2" so that'd give it 3/4"

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Gas tank

Why wouldn't you have one permenantly installed?

Because sure as sh** with my luck something would happen.
A leak, the pick up inside the tank would fall off, I need the area for something else, I find I need a bigger tank, something.

A manufactured boat with a perminant tank is one thing but retrofitting one is something else.

I think you would want some kind of neck for expansion.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

You tryin to say I can't do at least as good a job as the mfg? Them's fightin words!

Well I can't really get a larger tank, this is as big as will fit there, so if I want more gas, I'll bring a spare gas can.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gas tank

SgtMaj

I lost track of what size boat you're working on, I think you mentioned a 14 to 16 footer. is that the one?

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Gas tank

15 footer, yeah.

I should really fill out my profile so that info is readily available. I think I'll do that tonight.