Genset diesel fuel tank. What are people using and how big? Pictures?

[grantgoold]

Ace, you idea was great! I will be able to remove the reefer tanks with all their mounting brackets and straps, clean them up and install them in the bus. I also am considering cleaning the tanks completely and then cutting a hole and welding in the necessary coupler to screw in a normal RV PVC gate valve for the grey tank.  both tanks already have sending units on the outside of the tanks. I wonder if the black/grey tank would measure waist levels as well?  Just thinking

Again, Thanks for the great idea.

Regards,

Grant

[Ace]

Yea I welded in the necessary fittings for all the drains and vent pipes to accept pcv pipe.

Not sure about the gauge though. Mine didn't have one so I made a simple site tube. Clear hose and two "L" fittings tapped into the side of the tank! So far it works great. It at least gives me an idea as to when the tank is close to being full!

Another thing I forgot to mention was that the fuel tanks have baffles in them. At first I thought this might hinder the draining of them but so far it has not! They drain VERY fast!

Ace

[grantgoold]

Ace, anyway to give me some idea of what metal support structure you built to handle the weight of the tanks. In my nine I have some pretty simple bracing for the floor. I believe I should design something to help reinforce the support structure on top.

Any thoughts, ideas or pictures would be great.

Regards,

Grant

[RJ]

Grant - 

Ace's Prevost, IIRC, uses more of a "birdcage" frame structure as opposed to the semi-monocoque body of your MC-9.  Because of this difference, he has framing members across the top of the baggage bays that he was able to hang his tanks from.

This is not to say that you can't do something similar, it's just pointing out the differences between the two chassis.  Don't know if you'd want to hang a tank directly off the plywood floor/baggage bay roof of your 9.

BTW, I think Ace's idea of recycling those tanks was a good one.  After looking at the photos again, I remember that I had a question for him that I don't think I ever asked:

Ace -

I was wondering, after looking at the mounting brackets for your tank, why you didn't weld in a triangular gusset to keep the "L" bracket from slowly bending downward from the tank's weight.  Just curious. . .

This is a good thread!

[Len Silva]

My only concern with round tanks is that you will get more capacity in the same space with rectangular tanks.

Len

[grantgoold]

Russ, thanks for the info. I was actually going to build an internal frame structure that would hold the units in place. I was concerned about the weight and the plywood so we already decided to go with an internal frame. I understand that we will lose a little space with round tanks however when suspended I get the floor space back.

Thanks for all the input.

Grant

[Ace]

Russ to answer your question that was never asked...

I took an "L" bracket and clamped it in a vice. I tried like hell to bend it and just couldn't do it so with that I just went ahead and welded away. So far they haven't even showed any bending at all when full and after travelling down the highway when full! I guess time will tell but I'm not looking for any of them to bend any time soon! I used some pretty tough stainless! 

Len yes your correct that using a rectangle tank over a round tank would definitely yield you more capacity but... 3 things!

1, the tank was free and in great shape!
2, how much "STUFF" does one really have to carry around before dumping?
3, if you look at the space that was wasted by using the round tank, it really isn't that much! Besides, I gained more floor space so it goes both ways. Lose on one side, gain on the other! 

Ace