Fuel Tank build

[Scott]

I'm not sure I understand ....

Bobby .... feel like we are ganging up on ya with the questions... but the pressure testing ... is 1 "lb" (psi I assume) appropriate ?? I ask only because of what the Federal Regulation states (or at least how I read it) ....plus I know the tank builders around here all mention and build to the CG/Federal standards and they typically test to 5 psi …even mentioned on their websites

Does the 1 psi pressure test fit within the Federal requirements ? Is the caveat in #2 below ?

Maybe I don’t understand the methods of testing or the numbers being thrown around here….or maybe it has to do with the malleability of Aluminum vs Stainless?


Quote from Boatbuilder handbook
Title 33 CFR, Sections 183.501–183.590
FUEL SYSTEMS
Revised November, 2003

“FEDERAL LAW:
183.542 Fuel systems.
(a) Each fuel system in a boat must have been tested by the boat
manufacturer and not leak when subjected to the greater of the
following pressures:
(1) Three pounds per square inch; or
(2) One and one-half times the pressure created in the lowest part of the
fuel system when it is filled to the level of overflow with fuel.
(b) The test pressure shall be obtained with air or inert gas.”

[warthog5]

Scott I understand your consern. Does anyone really put that much preasure on them? The guys I get my imfo from all all in the Naval Medical Reserch Facility. They build all kinds of WILD $hit. One of the guy's there said "If you put 4lbs in that sucker it will unzip itself". he's a pretty sharp guy and has fooled with this stuff a fair amount.

Here's a quote from another guy who builds fuel tanks.

Accurate Towers
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Re: Fuel Tank Build (warthog5) 7:43 AM 12/7/2004 Reply to this post

Warthog...

Yes 3 lbs. is ALOT, you dont need that much air at all. Just fill up the tank till it bulges a little bit, don,t over fill it at all. Use a soapy water mixture in a spray bottle to find leaks. Wow, Stainless is definate overkill. That tank will break your back. Stainless is ok for a tank but usually for hundreds of gallons. A 70 gal.
tank could have been made of aluminum and weighed less overall. The gas
pickup should be no less than 3/8ths dia. tubeing. Any less will starve your
motor and stall eventually. Do not put any back flow devises on your gas line
they tend to starve an engine as well. Use a good recomended cartrage in
line filter. The vent, nothing less tan 5/8ths hose, anything less will make it a
hard slow filling tank. Try to make your gas fill tube a straight run to make it a faster filling tank, any bends or 90 degree fills will drasticlly cut down filling of the tank. Bet you'll never try another tank again, only if you must.

Good luck... http://www.AccurateTowers.com

[Finster]

Warthog, I'm not trying to bust your nuts but I do know stainless tanks are a no no. You can do anything you like in your boat (looks great btw) and you've worked hard, but don't try and sell yourself on a tank that can't hold 4 psi.

There's a reason why you don't see stainless tanks in new boat manufacturing, and it's not becauce they're expencive.