Cutting hole in top of fuel tank

[Heckler]

David

"Not required on a diesel tank, just go slowly and use grease,"

I guess there is no heat build-up and that is why you are still here! (I bet you wouldn't do it on a petrol tank!)

BUT our Worksafe laws in Australia err on the side of safety. "Angle grinders, oxy torches or any other heat-producing equipment should not be used to cut metal drums that have contained flammable or combustible liquids or gases, or when there is any doubt about the previous contents of the drum."

He wont be using angle grinders, oxy torches or other equipment that will produce enough heat to vapourize the diesel!
s

 

[lw395]

Replace your primary filter with one that has two outlets and take the supply from there?

This can let air into the eber feed whenever you change the filter, and any air leak in the eber side compromises the engine.
Also it means the heater can use all your diesel.
And the heater has to draw against the vacuum caused by the engine flow through the filter.
An independent feed has advantages.

 

[lw395]

He wont be using angle grinders, oxy torches or other equipment that will produce enough heat to vapourize the diesel!
s

Vaporising the diesel would probably make it safer, by raising the vapour over the upper explosive limit.

I'd just avoid any sparks, keep tools cool with oil or water.

If the tank is not too thick/tough, you could cut the hole with a die punch?

 

[coopec]

Skipper-stu

Yes Sailorman did say carbon monoxide but I wonder if he meant carbon dioxide?

Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas so I wouldn't be using it in a tank and in the confines of the boat!!.

The article suggests using frozen Carbon Dioxide which you might know as "dry ice" or "cardice".

"There are enough toothsuckers on here propogating urban myths without another one coming along!" I think I'll be guided by "LCO-47: Diesel Fuel Vapor Hazards!!

Have a good day

 

[Jamesuk]

We had two new pick up points for fuel as (would you believe it) the previous pick up points were not long enough so unless the spare tank had at least half a fill the two heaters would not work. With one it could have been a faulty pick up but TWO!!!?? The access was so awful that the quote was more expensive to chevk than to simply cut the fuel pipes and locate the new fuel picks ups 7ft closer in the main tank.

Anyway we put the new ones in and we had Osmotech carry out the work. They drilled the holes in the main tank (7ft closer to the heaters than the spare) and we now have a circular chunk of steel at the bottom of the tank with any metal fragments. The hoover works well on top, would not catch anything inside the tank. We have covered 15k since.

The only thing he could have done was remove the 8 nuts on the inspection hatch and floated a tray underneath. But with deadlines and 'we wont to go sailimg with working heaters' the bit of tank will now be removed if ever the tanks are cleaned out.

As you have all the gear out and it is winter, drain the tank, fit an inspection hatch and your webasto heater. On the other hand just drill the hole and vacum the best you can and move on. Boat builders mentality?. Anyone know of a boat builder that does not cut corners?