New Storage Tank - How to Protect My Fuel?

[sixdogs]

The cap on my bulk tank is a round one that looks like a giant gas cap and, if I recall correctly has a 3 or 4 psi thing built in to provide a degree of tank pressure. It was $10 or so and I've had it for years so it works.

Looks like this but this pic has the screw-in tank adaptor attached.




I see them at farm stores all the time and never gave it a thought for this thread.

 

[Billrog]

I've had a plumbing cheater valve in my tank for the last 20 years with no problems regardless how you do it the tank must be vented.

 

[cold1313]

Billrog - what is a cheater valve?

I looked at my tank and I have (3) 2" threaded fittings and (1) 3" fitting. Not sure that I would have any use for the 3"?

 

[Billrog]

Cold1313 if your new tank doesn't have a breather you can probably buy one where the tank was purchased. The tank has to be able to take air in when your pumping fuel out. I'm not recommending any body else uses what I've don I just happened to have that particular valve at home at the time.

 

[cold1313]

ah I know what you're using now.

My co-op just said to use the "flip style" fill caps since they don't seal air tight and that'd be enough vent and intake.

Now I'm curious why there is a 3" plug that I can use

 

[sixdogs]

...

Now I'm curious why there is a 3" plug that I can use

I've seen tall, large diameter stacks on some tanks that seemingly vent above where any incidental risk may be. ight be a commercial requirement in some areas?

 

[bigdeano]

The 3" hole is supposed to have a plastic plug which will melt and vent the tank in case of fire so the tank doesn't blow up. Mine came with a plug. Make sure to put pipe dope on it.

For a vent I used 2 small check valves which relieve the pressure and vacuum. Obviously they're in parallel, turned opposite ways, not series. The air going into the tank goes thru a desiccant cylinder to remove moisture.

I worked as an engineer, so I overthink things too, but here in the soggy Pacific Northwest I wanted to keep the water out.

 

[cold1313]

Never got a plastic plug...I'll have to ask the seller about that.

Bigdeano - I'm an engineer as well. I really like the relieve valves (pressure and vacuum) but really like the desiccant filter. Do you remember what you used for that setup?

 

[cold1313]

Do you guys normally just run a Fill Rite filter? What micron do you recommend? I will install a water separator after the filter since I have the room. Goldenrod seems to be highly recommended - but they seem to have several options available.

 

[bigdeano]

Never got a plastic plug...I'll have to ask the seller about that.

Bigdeano - I'm an engineer as well. I really like the relieve valves (pressure and vacuum) but really like the desiccant filter. Do you remember what you used for that setup?

I used 2" pipe with a reducer on each end. The desiccant beads turn red when they're used up so I installed a sight glass in the side so I know if they need replacing. I installed a 3 way valve so the tank can vent when being filled.