Petrol tank ideas

[Bigjohnny5]

im trying to find a suitable container to make a petrol tank for a small cabin cruser project I'm working on I have access to various empty gas bottles and a 15kg bottle should fit the space I have nicely the other options are a old fire extinguisher or maybe even a helium cylinder laid on its side would any of these be suitable ?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Not use a Fire extinguisher, the lining melts when in contact with fuel.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Yes I agree about the fire extinguisher. I made a couple of fuel tanks for the bangers, cut the bottom out, burned the polythene lining out, reinstate the bottom, lay it on its side and weld a filled cap on the now top, weld 2 lengths of angle along the sides to bolt it down to the floor of the car.

Colin

 

[normspanners]

If you have any pump places close ask then if they have any scrap pressure accumulators you can get them in stainless and several sizes but most small ones are usually about 20 ---40 ltrs just take the bladder out and make up a filler neck
they usually have mounting feet attached alot of the time the bladder has punctured but they just replace the whole thing

 

[Migmac]

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwjt_8iZoc_TAhXiIcAKHa-mCw0Qwg8IJQ&adurl=

 

[Bigjohnny5]

So it's a no go for the fire extinguisher but what about the gas bottles ?
As luck would have it I know where there is one of those pressure tanks lying about its painted blue so I assume it's made from steel ? It's only a small one so must be 20lts I was hoping for something a little bigger but if it's useable it may be a good trade off I will have a look at it tomorrow
So if I remove the bolts from the cap on the end then what ? (Advice please)
And whatever the seal is under that plate will it be ok for petrol ?
I would rather have the challenge of making something myself before I go down the perpose made plastic tank route

 

[Bill Edwards]

I can't see any issues with a gas bottle - in fact if it were upside down a propane one has a convenient tap built into it. A lot of weight which I suppose could be a downside for some jobs.

 

[normspanners]

As luck would have it I know where there is one of those pressure tanks lying about its painted blue so I assume it's made from steel ? It's only a small one so must be 20lts I was hoping for something a little bigger but if it's useable it may be a good trade off I will have a look at it tomorrow

yes the blue ones are steel but do tend to rust if the bladder has gone that is why I suggested the stainless ones

 

[Bigjohnny5]

Well it sounded good but you was right I had a look at the pressure tank today and it has started to rust on the inside but what I found is a old empty refrigeration gas cylinder it's a perfect size not quite as big as a propane bottle and although it's made from steel it's not as lightweight as the pressure tank I was looking at so unless anyone tells me a reason why I shouldn't use it I'm going to lay it on its side use the exsisting threaded hole where the valve is as the filler by fitting elbow and a short length of pipe.
Should I then fit the feed pipe to the top with a dip tube in the bottom of the tank or fit a fuel valve on the bottom ?
And any idea how to fit a fuel guage sender unit ?

 

[insomniac]

why not use small stainless steel barrel used in pubs. ive seen them used on plenty of fishing boats for fuel and hydraulic oil

 

[Bigjohnny5]

If I can get my hands on one I will have a look but I do have access to the cylinders mentioned

 

[colnerov]

Don't get caught with one or transporting it, big fines.

 

[123hotchef]

seen a few off road 4x4s with a 16kg butane bottle as a fuel tank

 

[julianf]

25ltr carboy (never known why theyre called that) with a tank connector in the lid.

depends how far you want to go, or not go, i guess?

 

[sardine]

Are there not regulations for fuel tanks you need to comply with ?

On inland waterways there defiantly are.

 

[Bigjohnny5]

I have made a start on my fuel tank using a old butane bottle, I have removed the base and the neck and made two straps from some flat bar for mounting,
I have plugged the hole where the tap was fitted as it wasn't in a good position for anything as the bottle will be mounted on its side so the fill tube will be welded onto the top.
I'm trying to figure out how to fit a fuel guage sender unit to the tank can anyone advise on a type of unit that would be suitable I can make a (flat) removable access plate to the top of the tank to fit to sender to but I'm unsure what sender to get ?
The tank on its side measures around 12" deep (are all senders top mounted ?)
Any suggestions?

 

[rtbcomp]

25ltr carboy (never known why theyre called that) ...

From Wikipedia The word "carboy" is from the Persianqarābah (قرابه), from Arabicqarrāba, "big jug".[4]

 

[colnerov]

I'm trying to figure out how to fit a fuel guage sender unit to the tank can anyone advise on a type of unit that would be suitable I can make a (flat) removable access plate to the top of the tank to fit to sender to but I'm unsure what sender to get ?
The tank on its side measures around 12" deep (are all senders top mounted ?)
Any suggestions?

Hi, Try Land Rover or Mini suppliers for reasonably priced and easily obtainable. Land Rover series and Defender are top mount, Range Rover Classic and Mini are side mount.

Colin

 

[8ob]

As above in @colnerov post or if you get stuck go to a decent chandlers, they do fully adjustable ones for boat tanks. If going for the screw down type use blind rivnuts in the top of the tank and a cork gasket under the sender unit.

Pacer Marine are a helpful bunch http://pacermarine.co.uk/

Fully adjustable

Bob