45 Gal. Auxiliary Tank from Aerotanks

[rrausch]

OK... I'm gonna get a 45 Gal. Aux. tank from Aerotanks. It is a true aux. tank, not a transfer tank. (But truthfully, I don't know the difference) I was quoted about $550. For that I don't get the "Installation kit" (That is an additional $260. ) I asked them what the kit had in it and they said: Sending unit, valve, feed & return bracket, and mounting hdwe.



So... I'm thinking I can come up with a decent sending unit and a valve etc. for a lot less than $260. Anybody know for sure where I can get a sending unit?



I was going to go with a Northern transfer tank, but with truck shipping it would have been about the same, and with the Aero, I can get a real Aux. tank. That may be important if the much-hated anti-Diesel EnviromenTalibans get more political power.



My plan is to plumb it into the fill tube. Install a solenoid valve and go.

I'd like a 12 volt timer too, so I will not forget to turn it off and spill fuel.

Anybody know where I can get one of those?



Also, when I plumb it into the fill tube, how do I get a leak-proof connection?

And what should I use for fuel line? The tank comes with a 3/4 pipe thread connection I think. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[pwknapp]

I went to Oreilly auto parts and bought a valve kit for two tanks for 69 bucks. Sending unit (universal/ ISSPRO) was 28 bucks at a Fleet Pride truck parts house.

 

[Chipstien]

I am going to go with the Northern box-tank combo and was thinking about having a larger outlet (whatever size the fill tube is) welded onto the bottom and take the fillneck and connect it to the aux tank. This way gravity fills the factory tank instead of a pump. Anyone thought of this (or done this) and what do you think.

 

[Whitmore]

Chip, I tried that but it wouldnt flow thru my spin on filter so I had to add a small transfer pump, works great now.



rraush, as far as over flowing, go down to your dealer and look at one of his trucks without a bed on it, where all the connections are on the top of the tank there is a open tube that is a vent, blow on it , it is open, put a hose on it and then back to your aux tank, this way if you overfill than it will go back to aux tank and not on the ground.

Make sure to use hose that is rated for diesel fuel... ..... cheers... ... ... Kevin

 

[The patriot]

My brother just got some stainless diamond plate. It measures 4'x4', and he has about 10 sheets.

I got to check the thickness on this, might make it into a nice aux. fuel tank.

Eric

 

[Whitmore]

Holy cripes Eric, thats alot of diamond plate, whats it cost and why does he have so much of it???

 

[The patriot]

I dont know the whole story. It's one of his trucker buddies, and he's not in trucking anymore.

When you run into deals like this, you learn not to ask too many questions.

It wont cost me anything.

Eric



PS

Another friend of his gave him a 2000 watt inverter... . for free. (and in turn, my bro gave it to me!!)

He was driving my Dads 1990 350 CTD one day, and this same friend put 6 shiney new alcoa wheels in the bed. This guy wrecks ambulances, so he has stuff like this a lot. (this is a different friend)

I asked my brother why or howcome this happens to him

His reply was "the power of BEER !!!

 

[Whitmore]

"the power of BEER !!!

cool nothing wrong with that, Is it stainless or is it alumdidumb, alumidimumn, al-u-minium, you know that stuff they make beer cans out of ? either way its expensive stuff, why cant I get a deal like that now and again

 

[The patriot]

There's a bit more to the story.

This guy has a bodyshop (now this is the guy with the inverters, and aluminum alcoas coming out of his ears) and he's the only guy in the area that has a refrigerator.

Whenever my brother stops by, he brings a case.

My brother parks his big rig near by, so he's there often.



My brother is telling me it's stainless. I didnt see it yet. I hope he has enough left that I can make a tank out of it. I'd like a 100 gallon tank!!

I know my mechanic at work knows how to weld stainless... . he he he...

EricOo. Oo.

 

[Chipstien]

Get a wire feed welder.

Welding stainless is as easy as regular steel with a wire feed. Aluminum on the other hand is a b*&ch unless you have a TIG welder. I personally can't afford one.

 

[The patriot]

Looked at it today.....

I got a piece here, it's aluminum. It's 26"x27", and has an OVAL HOLE IN THE MIDDLE!!!.

It's pretty thin, probibally 1/8". If I dont mind cuttin and piecing together, I could make a tank out of it, as long as I baffle it heavily. I'd also put a plate under the fill neck on the top, so that it has something substantial to hold onto.

I dunno, decisions decisions.....

I have a TIG welder at work, so that aint a problem.

Eric

 

[Whitmore]

Eric, sounds like your tank will have alot of oval leaks :{ , with the circumsizations that you describe I would find another use for these alumdidumn pieces, maybe a alum checker cold front with built in hole for fan ... ... ... ... Kevin

 

[The patriot]

It'll make some awesome mud flaps. Maybe I'll just do that.....

Eric