Fuel tank question

[dblake]

I have a fuel tank question for you all..
I know there’s a roll over safety valve on top of the fuel canister..
Is there some type of valve on the fill line? I’ve heard there might be an anti siphon screen of some sort. Any way to break through that screen?

I’m trying to plumb in a fuel pickup for my camper diesel heater. I’m hoping to just tee in and run a hard plastic line down into my tank. Thanks.

 

[Topzide]

Rockauto shows that it's just a hose. If you're using that kit for a return path, you'd be fine.

 

[bcbender]

No restrictors, screens or the like in the fill line. If you are looking to draw fuel out, you may consider a draw straw or bulkhead fitting on the top of that tank / module which will guarantee you have the ability to draw fuel at any tank level, If I am understanding your post, you want to modify the gravity fill adaptor and drop a tube into the tank? While it may work, two things could occur, one it that the fuel line could restrict the flow of fuel into the tank causing it to be difficult to fill, especially at truck pumps, and second as I mentioned, there is no real way to guarantee the pickup is at the lowest point in the tank.

JM2C... good luck on your project.

 

[dblake]

No restrictors, screens or the like in the fill line. If you are looking to draw fuel out, you may consider a draw straw or bulkhead fitting on the top of that tank / module which will guarantee you have the ability to draw fuel at any tank level, If I am understanding your post, you want to modify the gravity fill adaptor and drop a tube into the tank? While it may work, two things could occur, one it that the fuel line could restrict the flow of fuel into the tank causing it to be difficult to fill, especially at truck pumps, and second as I mentioned, there is no real way to guarantee the pickup is at the lowest point in the tank.

JM2C... good luck on your project.

Thanks for the info. I’m going to be inserting rigid plastic 1/4” line, so I’m not too worried about restricting flow when I fill my tank..

 

[Ozymandias]

No restrictors, screens or the like in the fill line. If you are looking to draw fuel out, you may consider a draw straw or bulkhead fitting on the top of that tank / module which will guarantee you have the ability to draw fuel at any tank level, If I am understanding your post, you want to modify the gravity fill adaptor and drop a tube into the tank? While it may work, two things could occur, one it that the fuel line could restrict the flow of fuel into the tank causing it to be difficult to fill, especially at truck pumps, and second as I mentioned, there is no real way to guarantee the pickup is at the lowest point in the tank.

JM2C... good luck on your project.

I second this, thats the Way to go.
A metal pickup tube is solid and stays where it needs to be. A hose can be anywhere in the tank, even curl up to the top. Nothing but problems await you that way.

And you want the have the pickup tube up from the bottom of the tank about a ¼ to make dead sure that you can't drain it entirely with your heater and not drive away afterwards.
Dirt at the floor if the tank is another issue.

I used many fuel heaters through my lifetime and installed them always by myself - and one thing I learned, whenever I did a short cut at the install - I paid for it later down the road. Since I started to use a solid pickup tube I never again had problems.

Just don't do the same mistakes.

 

[dblake]

I second this, thats the Way to go.
A metal pickup tube is solid and stays where it needs to be. A hose can be anywhere in the tank, even curl up to the top. Nothing but problems await you that way.

And you want the have the pickup tube up from the bottom of the tank about a ¼ to make dead sure that you can't drain it entirely with your heater and not drive away afterwards.
Dirt at the floor if the tank is another issue.

I used many fuel heaters through my lifetime and installed them always by myself - and one thing I learned, whenever I did a short cut at the install - I paid for it later down the road. Since I started to use a solid pickup tube I never again had problems.

Just don't do the same mistakes.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a metal pickup tube I’m thinking of using instead. Hopefully it will reach down into the tank far enough…

 

[BigPapa]

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/vulcan-draw-straw-3/fuel-tank-components

#ad

 

[dblake]

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/vulcan-draw-straw-3/fuel-tank-components

#ad

Thanks. I already have a draw straw for my engine lift pump. Can’t hook it up there. I’m going to try one of these instead.
Fuel Tank Standpipe 650mm x 5mm for Webasto Air and Webasto Water Heaters 1320399A 35320A NO Amazon Affliate Links Allowed.d/3nSG6xh

 

[dblake]

Thanks. I already have a draw straw for my engine lift pump. Can’t hook it up there. I’m going to try one of these instead.
Fuel Tank Standpipe 650mm x 5mm for Webasto Air and Webasto Water Heaters 1320399A 35320A NO Amazon Affliate Links Allowed.d/3nSG6xh

 

[Ozymandias]

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/vulcan-draw-straw-3/fuel-tank-components

#ad

Good suggestion but won't work for the fuel heater, the inner diameter is way to big and the heater will go into fault mode before the fuel reaches the heater. Takes to long for the tiny little pump to fill the void if even. Fuel heater pipe has between 1-2mm inner diameter.

 

[Ozymandias]

Install the pump as close as possible to the tank, the closer it is the easier it starts, the pumps don't like to pull the fuel against a vacuum. And have it accessible in case something fails. Some of them have a tiny little screen inside the suction port that can clog.

 

[dblake]

Install the pump as close as possible to the tank, the closer it is the easier it starts, the pumps don't like to pull the fuel against a vacuum. And have it accessible in case something fails. Some of them have a tiny little screen inside the suction port that can clog.

Thanks For the suggestions. I ordered an extra fuel pump as a spare. It comes with a 10 Liter tank, but I really want to plumb it into my main tank for ease of filling and less diesel smell in the camper. Also, I’ve heard that 10 L really isn’t that much capacity if boondocking in the snow a lot. Most people carry an extra fuel can and I don’t want to..

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, depending on size of the heater, insulation and outside temp 10L would be down within a day or so. I did winter camping in the past and at sub-zero it uses quite some fuel.