Major Issue-update

ollyit · 07 September 2004, 15:20

Okay I got real nice console made up - I'm sure i've bored you all silly with the pictures, its nice n long (2seater with back rest) but I cant get my Quicksilver 25litre fuel tank in either hatch? (under seat or up front)
what shall i do now - apart from keep it at the back of the boat slidding around everywhere, i really want to utilise the small space i do have -

Well i've measured it across now and I cant fit with the towsure one in

Nick Hearne · 07 September 2004, 15:30

Would this fit if not what size is the hole?
Nick

Tempo 6 Gallon Portable Fuel Tank
made of seamless grade polyethylene. The soft edge design makes it suitable for inflatables. The tank comes complete with a full gauge, threaded hose connector fitting and an integral carrying handle.
Dimensions :11½" x 22" x 11½".
F143
£17.95

http://www.towsure.com/default.asp?d=55&t=377&p=0&op=

Jono · 07 September 2004, 15:35

What you need is a nice, custom made, Alloy tank like this... PM me sizes for price..

Andy Stevens · 07 September 2004, 15:41

Two 30 litre tanks will sit in the wider front, they are a very snug fit and don't go anywhere. I this same console and it works a treat. Buy a simple tap arrangment from Hyphose in portsmouth and you can switch between the two. All your coats and stuff can sit on the tanks and that leave the under seat stuff for supplies.

You can have a look at minne if you are local??

ollyit · 07 September 2004, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Would this fit if not what size is the hole?

cheers nick, ill measure it 2nite

failing that i'll have pm matey about an aluminium one I guess

Mike B · 07 September 2004, 16:05

Just out of interest, would value your opinions.

I currently have 2 x 22 lt tanks at the back of the boat and have looked at the option to move these to within the console. My only concern is the fact that all the electronics, switch gear and battery are housed in the console.

Does this cause a fire risk ??

Cheers

Mike

Louise · 07 September 2004, 16:09

IMHO you are right to be concerned about a fire risk. I would want to keep the fuel as far away from the battery as possible.

MeMe · 07 September 2004, 16:21

.....an option ? You could add an additional bulk head wall into the cavity to seperate it and make room for other equipment. That said, Jono's offer sounds a good'n.

Pete7 · 07 September 2004, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louise

IMHO you are right to be concerned about a fire risk. I would want to keep the fuel as far away from the battery as possible.

and whilst we are on the subject how many ribs have battery cables and fuel lines running together under the deck ?

Would you buy a car with the battery cable rapped around the fuel line ?

Pete

steedthrust · 07 September 2004, 17:18

Have a look at westmarines website, I imported a fuel tank to go under my seat. Nothing was availiable in the uk that fitted, arrived in a few days as well. Lots of different shaped tanks.

fuel tanks westmarine

ollyit · 07 September 2004, 17:18

Yeah i've been thinking hard about that too - assuming i manage to get a tank to fit a fuel tank in the back part of the console(the seat bit)+ with the battery strapped down in the front locker seperated theres still going to be loom of power cables going through past the tank to the outboard - its all a bit scary,

Andy Stevens · 07 September 2004, 17:51

Put the tank in the console and the battery in a box at the back of the deck, that way it can vent and you don't have power cable running around?

Scary Des · 07 September 2004, 18:22

I think you should also think about the balance of the boat, if you load everything towards the back of the boat at a minimum your boat will take longer to get on the plan but it could also effect handling characteristics.
Des

Hightower · 08 September 2004, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

I currently have 2 x 22 lt tanks at the back of the boat and have looked at the option to move these to within the console. My only concern is the fact that all the electronics, switch gear and battery are housed in the console.

Does this cause a fire risk ??

Cheers

Mike

My 105 litre fuel tank is part under floor and part in console, there is no solid bulkhead between the tank and switch gear and the RIB is of circ. 1995. It hasn't blown up after 10 years of use, so I guess it's OK. I would however suggest an external air vent though or at the very least louvers on the console.

Ollyit, cable past a fuel tank isn't a problem provided that precautions have been taken to remove all sharp objects and to protect the cable from snaggs. Switch gear is a problem if you don't have adequate venting of fuel tanks. Biggest risk is as Andy and some of the others say, the Battery. If your terminals come loose they will cause a big spark. Mount the Battery in a completely different location, maybe another seat pod or at the stern in a battery box.

Andy

Rogue Wave · 08 September 2004, 05:48

We have some plastic tanks that were made by Plastimo that would fit in your console. I think they are 22 litres and cost about 20 kwid. .

I'll measure em today and tell you the sizes.

failing that jono's option sounds good!

Simon B · 08 September 2004, 08:16

Remember both the battery and the fuel tank should be correctly vented. The battery needs to rid itself of hydrogen now and then and the fuel tank of fuel vapour etc. A number of manufacturers fitted tanks into consoles that had batteries in also in a perfectly safe way.

If done correctly thers no problem, running cables along a fuel line route under decks if correctly installed is similarly safe, however, the only intrinsicaly safe construction would be bulkhead off the complete fuel and battery systems separately.

That said fire on RIBs is rare take normal precautions should be OK.