Stainless water tank leaking

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Trumpton189

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Hi all. The stainless water tank on my cruiser (10 years old) has developed pin hole leaks which have I am told been caused by electrolysis or some some of galvanic reaction due possibly to a lack of earth lead or incorrect wiring of components onboard. I have ordered a new tank but want to ensure that we do not suffer from leaks in future. Any ideas please - i.e. Is it normal to earth a water tank ? are there any checks (electrical) that I need to commission ? Thanks
 
What anodes is the boat fitted with ? If it has a bonding circuit, (a anode bolted to the hull, with wires leading from it to various metal parts of the boat) you should connect a wire from the tank to the bonding circuit.

Depending how the boat is wired for shore power, it might be a good idea to fit a galvanic isolator.
 
Trumpton189 said:
Hi all. The stainless water tank on my cruiser (10 years old) has developed pin hole leaks which have I am told been caused by electrolysis or some some of galvanic reaction due possibly to a lack of earth lead or incorrect wiring of components onboard. I have ordered a new tank but want to ensure that we do not suffer from leaks in future. Any ideas please - i.e. Is it normal to earth a water tank ? are there any checks (electrical) that I need to commission ? Thanks
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Cancel the order for a new SS tank and get a plastic one made Tek Tanks (no connection other than satisfied customer) who will make you one for similar price to SS - and much more durable. I had a new SS tank installed and it lasted only 7 years before leaking. There should be no need to earth the tank as it should not be in contact with anything else. The usual failures are at welds, but the pinholes could be because it is not 316 grade.
 
bonding the tank to other metal objects or anodes will have no effect as the water in the tank is not in contact with the water outside where the anodes are.

I second the tek tank option. I have had tanks made by them also and have found them to be very good quality.
 
Trumpton189 said:
Hi all. The stainless water tank on my cruiser (10 years old) has developed pin hole leaks which have I am told been caused by electrolysis or some some of galvanic reaction due possibly to a lack of earth lead or incorrect wiring of components onboard. I have ordered a new tank but want to ensure that we do not suffer from leaks in future. Any ideas please - i.e. Is it normal to earth a water tank ? are there any checks (electrical) that I need to commission ? Thanks
Click to expand...

Cant you just weld up the hole
 
I third the plastic tank option.
Costs a fraction of the SS one quicker to get made and bit flexible to squeeze in difficult space.Peeps on ebay will knock up a tank and deliver in a couple of days.Easier to fit bigger tank as weighs less.Send dimensions,size and position of inlets/outlets and Hey Presto........all for about £100.00
 
s/s tank

Surely there is no need to "earth" a water tank out, it is entirely independant of everything unless maybe a built in pump is fitted. Ours is over 20 years old and still sound, and we get a lovely cup of tea out of it.
 
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