|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on May 14, 2017 16:08:50 GMT
Is it normal for narrowboats to have a drain tap on the bottom of the diesel tank? I've not seen one on mine, although I haven't looked very hard, and one of the next jobs on my "to-do" list is to check the quality of the fuel at the bottom of the tank, and drain off any water/sludge etc. Am I likely to have a drain tap somewhere or do I just pump it out with a 12v pump?
|
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on May 14, 2017 16:16:23 GMT
I understand that very few narrowboats have a drain tap on their fuel tanks.
(and that seems to go for the majority of small craft that I have been in contact with)
it's fairly normal on bigger sea going boats and commercial vessels.
Most people seem to have to pump/syphon/vacuum out their tanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on May 14, 2017 16:20:34 GMT
Thanks John, I do have a 12v pump and a load of pipe so I'll do that then. I don't know what I'll find, but I'll report back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robbo on May 14, 2017 18:07:00 GMT
I think newer boats have, older boats perhaps not.
|
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on May 14, 2017 18:26:42 GMT
We have a pump for an electric drill with long transparent tubes that I attached. Find 240v, attach drill to pump, shove one pipe down to the bottom of fuel tank, and spin that drill to pretty quickly fill up a couple of 5-litre empty transparent water containers. Let them settle for a couple of hours to see the dirt/water. Most of that diesel you can pour back in via a funnel which has some kind of gauze in it which acts as a filter (coffee filter papers don't work).
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on May 14, 2017 18:31:52 GMT
We have a pump for an electric drill with long transparent tubes that I attached. Find 240v, attach drill to pump, shove one pipe down to the bottom of fuel tank, and spin that drill to pretty quickly fill up a couple of 5-litre empty transparent water containers. Let them settle for a couple of hours to see the dirt/water. Most of that diesel you can pour back in via a funnel which has some kind of gauze in it which acts as a filter (coffee filter papers don't work). I have a 12v pump which will do the job, I was thinking that I would just dispose of 5-10 litres if it was dirty/ mostly water. Funnily enough I was considering filtering the remainder of the tank through coffee filter papers, in what way do they not work? |
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on May 14, 2017 18:41:27 GMT
The paper is too fine on coffee percolator filters. I went to our local hardware store and the boy behind the desk said he uses this and it's some kind of insulating material - for houses, I think. Comes on a roll. He cut off some for me, enough to use several times, and it cost about 20 Euro cents (15p). He was right - diesel goes right through it in an instant, but it stops any specks of dirt.
|
|
|
|
Post by tadworth on May 14, 2017 18:48:32 GMT
Just buy a inline diesel filter, settle it, and gravity feed the lot through it. Set your dip tube just above the water level in the settling tank.
|
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on May 14, 2017 18:49:14 GMT
It amuses me to think of the weird things we've had in our luggage whilst flying Finland to England. Ropes to go under the gas bottles in the gas locker. Tools. That pump I mentioned, and the hoses. Bundles of work gloves. 16 stainless steel bolts for the water tank cover. Electrical extension cables. Fan heater. Hot water bottles. Axe. Bow saw. Vacuum cleaner bags. Bin liners. This time I've got a new wok and frying pan packed (Fiskars, Made in Finland).
|
|
|
|
Post by faffer on May 14, 2017 18:58:48 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on May 14, 2017 23:01:09 GMT
I'll be the jobs worth.
Although derv as a high ignition temp. Please be mindful of any sparks if using an electric pump.
Even though the likelihood is low. The vapour could ignite so please be careful.
I'm sure it's done up and the country all the time but it does not mean you can be complacent.
|
|
|
|
Post by tonyb on May 15, 2017 8:42:49 GMT
DERV also has a high vaporisation point so if you have fumes from it you must be in an oven. You can put matches out in diesel unless you float on on the surface and in that case it acts as a wick allowing that part that's burning to rise the local temperature enough for the fuel to vaporize and burn. A quick Google suggests that there will be no vapour issues until around 200C One problem with drain taps on canal boat tanks is that they are at the front of the tank but the boat trims down by the stern so any water gathers away from the drain. Then there is a question of how close to the bottom of the tank the drain hole is. The further up the tank the more water that can't be drained via the tap. |
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on May 15, 2017 9:05:03 GMT
But it does still evaporate. Most problems have been when it mixes with water and the water evaporates carrying small diesel droplets with it.
When it's under pressure and combines with oxygen it can self ignite without a spark.
It may well need higher temps and and has a high flash temp meaning it's not quite classed as flammable but combustible and it's defiantly a lot safer than petrol.
The point I was making is there is still a risk of fire and it should never be forgotten.
If you read my post you will see I say the risk is low, mainly for the reasons you point out. A spark may not ignite it, but it doesent mean I would try it.
|
|
|
|
Post by tonyb on May 15, 2017 9:29:56 GMT
I did read you post and understood what you were saying but in MY view such a danger is so small as to be all but non-existent. Welders weld full diesel tanks, many people drain their diesel tanks using wet & dry vacuum cleaner, Boatyards use such cleaners to drain bilges contaminated with diesel yet we do not hear about many/any fires caused by such use. In my view far more danger would be develop by being worried about sparks and not draining water from the tank if boating on rivers than any danger of an electric motor igniting diesel.
|
|
|
|
Post by lollygagger on May 15, 2017 9:32:40 GMT
I had a leak on an Astra Van, a small piece of split rubber near an injector. We were lost in a billowing cloud of diesel smoke as it hit the hot exhaust but no flames. I've also tried many times, like you do, to ignite spilt petrol with a fag end but no luck yet.  |
|
