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Is fabricating your own aluminum fuel tank an option
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| donp |
Posted on 08/09/11 - 6:40 AM
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Is this something that needs to be inspected and approved or can the average Joe with the right equipment fabricate it?
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| mreid99 |
Posted on 08/09/11 - 7:07 AM
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If you have the ability I'd run with it...
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| blacksmithdog |
Posted on 08/09/11 - 7:21 AM
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Where carries the weld on aluminum fittings, for the cap and outlet? I'd TIG weld it though, not MIG.
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| SeaLevel |
Posted on 08/19/11 - 4:52 AM
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TIG weld for sure. I have used MIG. to align the parts and tack everything together but TIG weld all the seams and fitting plates. Let the tank cool before drilling holes for the fittings. The vacuum caused by the air inside the tank contracting as it cools is a good indication that there are no leaks
"It's just a forty eight year old Whaler but it's all mine"
Joseph R Palmieri |
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| Keven |
Posted on 08/19/11 - 9:44 AM
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Does a small tank need baffles? Say something like 15 gallons? Where can you get the fittings?
1981 15' Custom powered by 2005 Yamaha F60 |
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| tedious |
Posted on 08/19/11 - 2:41 PM
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I am a diehard do-it-yourselfer, but this is one job I'd leave to the pros - unless the original poster already is a pro welder, in which case I'd think he'd know how to weld up a tank and wouldn't be asking. Gas leaks on the water, even in an open boat like a 15, are just too dangerous.
At a minimum, I'd think you'd want to get the tank pressure tested after construction.
Tim
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| jimmyrinaldi |
Posted on 08/19/11 - 2:43 PM
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I just had a tank made by these folks for $350. They made the original 1992 16SL 24 gallon aluminum tank. Great Folks...
dfiori@fmtanks.com
Daniela Fiori Jones
Florida Marine Tanks, Inc
120 Peter Gill Rd
Henderson, NC 27536
305-620-9030 x330
http://floridamarinetanks.com/contactus.php
Edited by jimmyrinaldi on 08/19/11 - 2:44 PM |
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| Keven |
Posted on 08/20/11 - 7:16 AM
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Florida Marine Tanks is in NC? I too am wondering about making your own. I have a friend of a friend who welds turbo kits for cars/does other fabrication. He said he could build me a tank for $40 an hour+materials. I just need to know if these small tanks have baffles and where to get the fittings for the fuel lines.
1981 15' Custom powered by 2005 Yamaha F60 |
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| JohnnyCW |
Posted on 08/20/11 - 10:42 AM
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I'd install a baffle if the tank was larger than about 10 gallons and if its longer than it is tall. Even if not absolutely necessary, it'll do no harm and provide some support for the tank's walls. If the tank is closer to being relatively cubed in shape, its probably not so important compared to being long and narrow.
My 30 gallon tank has two baffles. Its roughly 20 inches tall and about 5 feet long.
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| Derwd24 |
Posted on 08/20/11 - 4:07 PM
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Is there any issue with insurance coverage (or possible denail of in the case of a claim) when using a home made AL tank?
Dave - 1983 Outrage 22 |
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| jimmyrinaldi |
Posted on 08/21/11 - 8:27 AM
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i do 99% of my own work but when I needed a new tank I left it to the pros... too much risk...
"Florida Marine Tanks is in NC?"
and BW is in FLA ? What's the world coming to ? ; )
Boston Whaler Contact Information
100 Whaler Way
Edgewater, Florida 32141
USA
Edited by jimmyrinaldi on 08/21/11 - 9:20 AM |
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