Diesel tank inspection hatch

I made up access hatches for all my tanks 3 mild steel diesel, 2 stainless water and a GRP waste tanks but rectangular. The holes are easy to cut with a small angle grinder and the inner frame can be inserted in one piece.

One tip make the hole big enough to get your head in so it is easy to inspect the whole tank.
 
If your willing to pay that kind of money Google "Bailey Marine" and look at their deck plates,the RNLI use them ,I fitted their model BM 85 it is made of acetal,very hard with a fine screw thread,I can access my tank in a minute and get my arm right in,it does come at a price but they are the RR of marine engineers,cost me £90 (10 years ago).
 
Thanks for replies chaps..

I have to say that the postion of hatch will be low down on the side ( only acces ), so will have to take the preasure
of a 450 litres of diesel , and can get very warm being close to the engine.

I think if I had one fabricated it probably would cost as much as the one advertised in above link..

Oh well, i'd better start saving me pennies...:rolleyes:
 
Think long & hard about putting an inspection cover into the side of a tank that holds 450 litres. Not only because of the pressue of a full tank, but the also the liquid movement when it's 30 or 40% full. The movement of a couple of hundred kilo's or more of liquid in a half empty tank could knock a hatch cover clean out.
Truck fuel tanks of a similar size often have baffles & any inspection plates are in the top, not large enough to put your head in & heavily reinforced.
I'd look along the lines of a smaller one in the top & finding someone with an endescopic camera.
 
I have an inspection hatch on the top of the tank and am bracing myself to remove it to get rid of accumulated gunge.

I was wondering about what was best to replace the seal.


At the moment there seems to be quite a thick, fibrous gasket and there may also be some sealant.

What's best practice?


Ta
 
jfkal said:
I use one of them and they are superb. However they makers warn about NOT to install at the side of the tank and below fuel level :-(
Click to expand...


Good news boys and girls..

Received e-mail from SeaBuilt NW LLC

The Inspection hatch can be installed below fuel level. :)
 
dab123 said:
Good news boys and girls..

Received e-mail from SeaBuilt NW LLC

The Inspection hatch can be installed below fuel level. :)
Click to expand...

I'm sure you have a good reason for wanting to do it, but I have to say that installing a hatch in the side of a fuel tank sounds like a recipe for problems.
 
Nitrile / cork

oldvarnish said:
I have an inspection hatch on the top of the tank and am bracing myself to remove it to get rid of accumulated gunge.

I was wondering about what was best to replace the seal.


At the moment there seems to be quite a thick, fibrous gasket and there may also be some sealant.

What's best practice?


Ta
Click to expand...

Dunno about best practice - this is what was normally used.

I've replaced all my inspections hatches gaskets (3) on my diesel tank in my Nic39.

The hatches are 8mm marine ally bolted to GRP lid.

I use the standard Nitrile / cork gasket material. For extra security I also gave the surfaces a spray coat of Hylomar Universal Blue.

See here.

I've got quite a bit of the nitrile/cork (which I bought in bulk from Walker Rubber in Ipswich) here at home - PM me if you'd like an offcut.
 
Not too long ago I had to improvise an inspection hatch to the Holding Tank with what was on board.
Having cut the hole out I made a cover from the white chopping board and used a silicone place mat to make the seal. I then screwed it down.
The main expense was having to replacing the cutting board but that improvised cover is still in place and doesn't leak. Don't think you have to get a purpose made one.
 
oldvarnish said:
I have an inspection hatch on the top of the tank and am bracing myself to remove it to get rid of accumulated gunge.

I was wondering about what was best to replace the seal.


At the moment there seems to be quite a thick, fibrous gasket and there may also be some sealant.

What's best practice?


Ta
Click to expand...

Nitrile rubber sheet available on ebay and cut it to size and shape
 
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