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Post by Clinton Cool on Nov 5, 2019 8:40:47 GMT
It's a couple of years since I've removed water/ debris from the bottom of my fuel tank. I've always had a couple of litres of horrible stuff doing it once a year, so it really needs doing. I used to use one of those red hand operated suction pumps off ebay but they don't last at all well. Can anyone recommend something better, not too much money?
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Post by JohnV on Nov 5, 2019 9:00:12 GMT
For that kind of job I have an old cheapo wet and dry vac (Wickes own brand or the like) which I use for any dirty or contaminated job (engine room bilges etc)
The one I have at the moment has lived outside for most of it's life (quite a few years) but still manages to survive
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2019 9:04:52 GMT
They use quite a bit of 240 don't they?
A good universal pump for this sort of job would be something like a Jabsco Gear Puppy or equivalent. Positive displacement pump so it will pull well.
I'd be tempted to plumb it with a short piece of garden hose then a rigid tube so you can reach the bottom of the tank. Maybe a straight length of 15mm PEX speedfit tube so you can't do any damage.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2019 9:07:33 GMT
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Post by naughtyfox on Nov 5, 2019 9:10:17 GMT
Why not just get a hand pump, 20 Euros, like the one we use for removing our engine oil?
No electricity required.
Made in Taiwan.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2019 9:11:49 GMT
Another obvious option is a Patay pump. They can deal with everything from black water to oils.
quite bulky items though and usually need mounting on something.
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Post by samsam on Nov 5, 2019 9:49:56 GMT
Be brave and use a wet'n'dry vac with a length of copper pipe as a pickup tube. A quick suck and its done. If the vac starts emitting clouds of white smoke you have overdone it!
If it emits flames, I haven't suggested it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2019 19:35:00 GMT
Yes but has he got a working generator to run a wet n dry ?  And how do you reduce the suction pipe ID effectively to get it down to copper pipe dimensions? |
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Post by JohnV on Nov 6, 2019 7:38:36 GMT
And how do you reduce the suction pipe ID effectively to get it down to copper pipe dimensions? The wet and dry vacs normally come with a variety of attachments that reduce the nozzle down quite a bit, then tape a small pipe into that ..... as it is a vacuum in the pipe. it holds the tape tight rather than blowing forcing it off as would happen with the higher pressure inside (one has to be so careful with one's phraseology on this forum) |
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Post by Gone on Nov 6, 2019 7:48:01 GMT
And how do you reduce the suction pipe ID effectively to get it down to copper pipe dimensions? The wet and dry vacs normally come with a variety of attachments that reduce the nozzle down quite a bit, then tape a small pipe into that ..... as it is a vacuum in the pipe. it holds the tape tight rather than blowing forcing it off as would happen with the higher pressure inside (one has to be so careful with one's phraseology on this forum) Keep a watch on motor case temp, as some vacs use the air flow to cool the motor, and if the only air supply to cool the motor is via a 15mm copper pipe I can see it getting very hot. |
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Post by JohnV on Nov 6, 2019 7:58:12 GMT
The wet and dry vacs normally come with a variety of attachments that reduce the nozzle down quite a bit, then tape a small pipe into that ..... as it is a vacuum in the pipe. it holds the tape tight rather than blowing forcing it off as would happen with the higher pressure inside (one has to be so careful with one's phraseology on this forum) Keep a watch on motor case temp, as some vacs use the air flow to cool the motor, and if the only air supply to cool the motor is via a 15mm copper pipe I can see it getting very hot. my original "Wickes own" vac lasted about 6 years of abuse and my current vac a "JCB" (but to all intents and purposes the same kind of el cheapo) is now about 7 or 8 years old. When de-crudding a tank, it normally only takes a couple of minutes and I never noticed a problem. Both were frequently used for clearing water out of bilges via just the reduced pipe size nozzle supplied (about 25mm) for considerably longer periods but don't forget it only takes a couple of minutes to fill it and then it gets a good rest while you cart the water to somewhere to tip. I think both of mine will probably die due more to the fact that as they get disgustingly filthy and greasy, they are stored on deck, exposed to the elements. |
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Post by Jim on Nov 6, 2019 11:47:58 GMT
It's no good for wet stuff maybe, but I just picked up a henry vac, broken, stripped down, replaced motor bearing £5, job sorted. I suppose I can use it for the bilge but it has no ball valve inside for when it's full.
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