Best way to Vent storage tank?

[Garycw]

Just got a 100 gal tank for deisel from tsc. When I got home with it and removed cap it almost blew out of my hand. The H100 hand pump I'll be using says use with vented tank. The vented caps seem pricey and wanted to know if I could just drill a small hole in existing cap? The tank will be stored inside a barn.

 

[s219]

Home heating oil (same as diesel) tanks have a very simple vent, so it's certainly reasonable for a tank that stays put and doesn't need to move. I'd only want a proper spring loaded vent cap for any type of "transfer" tank that will be moved.

If you are going to use a transfer pump to fuel up a tractor from the tank, the vent will have to be fairly substantial. A small hole drilled in the cap won't be enough to vent fast enough. Instead, can you put threaded black iron pipe (don't use galvanized) into the fill port, or another tapped port on top of the tank, and run up and turn back down with an elbow? Or just get a vent stack from a home heating oil tank.

 

[Garycw]

Yes I do remember my old fuel oil tank did have a little vent on it. When filling tractor I could just loosen cap for flow. In just concerned about tempeture changes for pressure & vacuum in the tank. I don't have any other fittings on tank other than cap and pump fitting

 

[aczlan]

Could find an oil filter with npt threads and install that on the vent. That will keep the nasties from getting in via the vent.

Aaron Z

 

[hosspuller]

Check the cap. It should have a a rubber gasket that moves. It vents both pressure and vacuum. Maybe the rubber got stuck together in storage. A little oil on both sides should prevent that happening.

You DO want some resistance to pressure changes. It slows the exchange of moisture ladden air into the tank. Just loosen the cap when you're pumping out of the tank. :thumbsup:

 

[SandburRanch]

A common vent is a pipe bushing xx ( bung size ) x 1/4" bushing with a 1/4" pipe to compression tubing fitting with the copper tubing riser bent 180° or 2 90° bends. Works for indoors or outdoors.

 

[Garycw]

The only problem is I have only two openings. One for cap one for pump. I guess I could do away with cap and use a removable vent for filling

 

[SandburRanch]

Vent the cap by drilling and tapping 1/4" pipe threads.

 

[Gary Fowler]

By what ever means that you have at your disposal, tap into the vent cap with a 180 degree bend from the cap. You can use 1/4" tubing or pipe but the end needs to be covered with fine screen to keep spiders and dirt daubers out of the pipe. I 180 degree bend will keep any water from entering. You will still have the moist air coming in and going out as temps raise and fall so condensation may be an issue.

I don't vent my rectangular tank at all. The fill point has a gasket that keeps moisture from getting in. It may not be totally air tight but sometimes I hear the tank sidewalls collapse in at night when it cools off rapidly. Mostly it just sets in the corner of my shop totally silent and the pump has never had a problem PLUS I don't have any condensate in the tank after over 5 years of use.

 

[doxford jim]

I have an open (fine metal screen) ended vent on my diesel tank, which sits inside a shed. Never had a moisture problem yet in ten years use. Make sure you have a way of draining off water from the tanks in case you need it - a low drain cock. Water will separate out from diesel if left undisturbed (different specific gravities). Make a point of checking this drain (for water) on a regular basis and you should be good to go.

 

[TnAndy]

Your tank must have been meant to go in something mobile (using a vented filler cap). Any tank meant for stationary use I've ever seen has at least two ports on top....one to fill, and another to vent. The 300gal tank I just bought new for my gasoline has 2-2" ports, 1-3" and 1-4", plus a 2" on the bottom end wall.

 

[Garycw]

Yes it's a 100 gal rectanglular tank for truck bed. I have it sitting on wooden skid in barn

 

[bdog]

If it is just going to be sitting in your shop I would buy one of these for 98 cents Mueller Industries 2 in. PVC DWV MIPT Cleanout Plug-05939H - The Home Depot and drill a small hole in the top of it and screw it into the tank for a cap on the fill port. The hole doesn't have to be big maybe 1/8" will prevent pressure buildup. Remove the cap when fueling.

 

[Garycw]

If it is just going to be sitting in your shop I would buy one of these for 98 cents Mueller Industries 2 in. PVC DWV MIPT Cleanout Plug-05939H - The Home Depot and drill a small hole in the top of it and screw it into the tank for a cap on the fill port. The hole doesn't have to be big maybe 1/8" will prevent pressure buildup. Remove the cap when fueling.

Thanks. I think I'm going to just drill a 1/8 or 1/16 hole in the cap I've got and maybe put a small piece of gorilla tape over it with a small ridge over the hole. It said with info on the pump it could leak fuel if not vented. I could be putting too much worry on a potential problem since its inside a barn out of direct sunlight. I may monitor it and open the cap now and then and see what the pressure and vacuum is doing before I get the drill out. I do like that it's a locking gas cap even if it's little security

 

[PILOON]

For a really effective vent you could use a short pipe like 3-6" and a 180 deg 'elbow' (or 2 X 90deg).

I'd stuff some steel wool into the end or better still a plastic 'scrubby' to keep out the insects.

Using a small vent hole (like 1/8) is asking for trouble as little insects love to nest in there.

 

[BufordBoone]

Which tank did you purchase? Yesterday, I purchased the Betterbuilt (black) 100 gallon tank that is currently on sale for $299. I remember documentation on it saying that the cap was vented. I have not picked it up yet or I'd check the label for you.

 

[Garycw]

Which tank did you purchase? Yesterday, I purchased the Betterbuilt (black) 100 gallon tank that is currently on sale for $299. I remember documentation on it saying that the cap was vented. I have not picked it up yet or I'd check the label for you.

I'm pretty sure That's the one I got. The reason I didn't think it was vented was when I took the cap off while still in truck and in sun, it almost blew outta my hand. The bung plug was in the other hole where pump goes.

 

[Garycw]

Duh!! I guess it does say it's vented. I must be getting old timers. It must take slot of pressure to vent. After being in the sun it almost blew cap outta my hand into the air.
Ummmm... Never mind.
Thanks for all the suggestions though.

 

[BufordBoone]

I also purchased the 12V pump that was on sale. FYI, one of the "lifting rings" was in the way of installing the pump. A few wacks with an Engineer's hammer and all was well.

I opted for the filter kit (about $45) at the same time. It will take filters that remove water. A small investment when compared to a tractor.

Good luck.

 

[Garycw]

I also purchased the 12V pump that was on sale. FYI, one of the "lifting rings" was in the way of installing the pump. A few wacks with an Engineer's hammer and all was well. I opted for the filter kit (about $45) at the same time. It will take filters that remove water. A small investment when compared to a tractor. Good luck.

Thanks Boone. , I'd like to get the filter kit also, but did not see them. I have the spin in filter on another 300 gal tank. I have the filter for water on now but have a spare that is for particles.
The hand pump I got for the 100 gal tank is 1/2 gal per stroke. The tanks I'm filling are only 5.5 and 10 gal.