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Post by NZL50505 on Jan 24, 2020 0:07:36 GMT
2006 42DS with 2x 180L water tanks. Want to convert one to second fuel tank to supplement inadequate 130L standard tank.
Anyone ever done this? Can the existing water tank material handle diesel?
Also want to add water-maker. Ideas on best location?
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Post by Tafika II on Jan 24, 2020 0:37:10 GMT
If your water tank is blue (as opposed to the fuel tank which is black) DO NOT use the blue rotomolded tank for diesel. It is not formulated for fuel. I have been down this road several times. You need to get a new metal or welded plastic tank + use fuel hoses + change out the fill that now says water to Diesel or fuel. We have a Spectra 12DC (no need for a Genset or to run off an inverter) watermaker at 12-16 gallons/hour with an auto monitor. The membrane is in the center salon bilge and the pump & filter are under the port side settee. There are several threads on this forum showing our arrangement.
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Post by NZL50505 on Jan 24, 2020 1:17:02 GMT
Thank you. V helpful.
Just checked and my water tanks are blue.
Kerr-ching $$$$...
Anyone suffering from an excessively full bank account? I could help relive the pressure! 😊
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Post by Trevor on Jan 24, 2020 2:10:35 GMT
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Post by NZL50505 on Jan 24, 2020 4:29:10 GMT
Superb!
Thanks Trevor.
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Post by Syrah on Jan 26, 2020 5:35:16 GMT
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Post by alex1949 on Jan 26, 2020 23:50:02 GMT
Hi NZL8970,
I had same debate on my 2005 SO40DS that have same 55 HP engine and same amazingly small 136 liter of diesel.
What I did was to leave the two water tanks as is and add another diesel tank. I heard that the Australians are very good making
stretch tanks which they can make for your own design for a real decent price. I ordered such a 100 liter diesel flexible tank and through it under the bed at the rear cabin.They made it to the shape of the under bank.I installed an on deck filling cap with a 2'
pipe going down into the small tank. A 3\4" outlet pipe directly to the main tank using a small pump to deliver the diesel.
No gages,very simple.Now I have 135+100+20(jerrycan) total 250 liter which is enough for me. This arrangement is working already 3 years and I am very happy with it.I use it only when I need the extra amount of diesel,I keep this tank empty on a daily basis.
Price of tank at my door in Israel was around 330 $. I have no waternaker on board.
Whole project was a DIY simple and easy.
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Post by sailbleu on Jan 27, 2020 7:36:10 GMT
Years ago in the beginning of our sailing days I decided to convert my extra 200 liter SS water tank into a diesel storage , together with the original 136 liter that would give 336 liter of diesel in total . That gave me quite some autonomy .
My main (original) water tank had 150 liter and another additional flex tank ( 100 liter) left me with 250 liter of water in total , after all , I had/have a watermaker.
Wrong move so it seemed , during that trip I never had to use the 200 extra diesel to the fullest , in the Med. there's enough fuel locations and I always carry 20 liter can of diesel as emergency backup . I had to find the hard way that the benefit of extra water outways that of extra diesel.
So the next winter I came back from that extra diesel idea and re-modified the SS tank again into a water tank . It had to be taken out to clean it thoroughly with warm water and soap multiple times .
Wrong move again , the hot water deformed the stainless steel and from then on every time I fill the tank or run it empty the tank will expand or collapse several times with a loud bang as a result .
A year later I made a carton tank to match an empty and unused space ( bottom hull curve and all) in the bilge and used it as a template to weld a design diesel tank of 90 liters.
You don't have to make your own tank but have a company or welder copy the template .
It's in there for 8 years now , has a separate fill and a small 12 volt fuel pump to transport the diesel to my main diesel tank when needed .
Good luck
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Post by vasko on Jan 28, 2020 5:22:18 GMT
Be careful with additional diesel tank that you do not use often as diesel fuel deteriorate with time and become a problem instead of extra..
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Post by sailbleu on Jan 28, 2020 12:25:13 GMT
Be careful with additional diesel tank that you do not use often as diesel fuel deteriorate with time and become a problem instead of extra.. This is exactly the reason why I , annually , pump my extra tank empty to the main tank . Regards |
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Post by Meshuggana on Jan 28, 2020 18:23:43 GMT
Hi Brent, I have been absent from the forum for some time and am only now returning to do research for my next project, the installation and selection of a watermaker on my 42DS. Yes, I am the person who copied and built an Arch directly from your design.  I was a bad boy for never sending you pics but in my defence, I really do not take many. I will say that the Arch has been perfect and super strong as it carried half the weight of my mast as the spar was laid on my deck for 2 months while progressing through 43 sets of locks here in the Great Lakes in Canada/US. The mast or the Arch never moved an inch even through some big waves. Anyways, back to the watermaker. We will be heading to the Bahamas in the Fall and figure it would be best to pick up the unit, manufacturer yet to be determined, when we reach Miami. Meanwhile, I need to determine the placement and install the through hull while the boat is on the cradle for the winter. I was rather surprised to see in this thread that everybody was putting it in the bilge with the sump spreading out filters to the valuable storage spaces of the salon. I had thought the best place would be to install the whole thing, filters and all, under the aft berth, along the centre line lengthwise, just aft of the batteries (next to the Internal cutlass bearing support bracket-whose name escapes me right now) and adjacent to the water tank it would fill. in this location, all supporting lines and power are at minimal lengths. I am hoping you and some other owners will comment on this location and explain why you put yours over the keel. Allen Meshuggana |
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Post by Trevor on Jan 28, 2020 23:46:27 GMT
Hi Allen,
The reason I would avoid putting a watermaker under the aft bunk is because the aft bunk is the very last place on my boat I want to gain access to. I avoid it like the plague.
I am not sure of the height available for the filters but that may be worth considering. The height of the filters certainly had quite a bearing on where mine were finally located.
Regards,
Trevor
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Post by Trevor on Jan 29, 2020 0:07:04 GMT
Just for some more commentary on this subject.
The advice from Sailbleu is hard experience talking so really great advice. I too was concerned about fuel supply but after a few long cruising periods, I realise I was over concerned.
Also, the note from Syrah about the modification from Xlnt is really a great idea. I investigated the Plastimo tank and was nearly ready to add it when I realised that the tank penetrations for fuel sender and fuel pickups in the black original tank are prone to leaking. I have tried about three times to seal those openings but have not really been successful. When the fuel level is below full, the leaks are manageable, but if the fuel in the main tank was subject to any slight pressure from the gravity feed of a tank above it, I fear the leak would be quite bad.
If I were to implement the Xlnt solution, I would prefer to use Sailbleu's solution of using a small fuel pump to transfer fuel from the smaller tank to the main tank rather than risk the gravity feed option.
Regards,
Trevor
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Post by Tafika II on Jan 29, 2020 0:07:20 GMT
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Post by Meshuggana on Jan 29, 2020 16:24:08 GMT
Well, I would never argue that working under the aft birth is a real pain. That is unless you had devised something that lifts the entire mattress off and keeps it suspended. Regardless, despite being creative, I always yield to experience. However, before I abandon this placement, I need a bit of education about watermakers if you do not mind. I would understand the filters need constant access and ask at what frequency you do have to inspect them. But as for the pump and extruder, how often do you have to access them and why? Your experiences shared would be greatly appreciated. Allen |
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Post by Tafika II on Jan 29, 2020 17:30:57 GMT
Our Spectra Catalina DC system utilizes as MPC3000 controller that auto flushes the system every 120 hours. This run fresh water through the system so you don't get stagnant standing water in the filter and pipes. WE replace the carbon filter every three months. The rest are inspected at that time, removed and cleaned in freshwater. After they dry out in the sun, they can be used again maybe three times. If after rinsing them they still smell replace them. We replace our about once a year
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Post by Spritz on Jan 30, 2020 15:31:01 GMT
i have a 42DS build in the 2011
i have the same problem the fuel tank is not enough, also because my Yanmar engine use 7 its of Diese in one hour (2300?min with a speed of 8.3-8.5 knots)
i tried to study different solutions but all of them seems not really practical, probably the best is to add a tank in the space between the diesel and the water tanks in the AFT cabin.
please ALEX, can you share some pics and advices on how you solved?
thank you
best regards
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I was a bad boy for never sending you pics but in my defence, I really do not take many. I will say that the Arch has been perfect and super strong as it carried half the weight of my mast as the spar was laid on my deck for 2 months while progressing through 43 sets of locks here in the Great Lakes in Canada/US. The mast or the Arch never moved an inch even through some big waves. 
