Fuel Standpipe Installation

[Paulus]

I am in the process of installing a Espar heater in my boat.  I do not have a spare port on the top of my tank.  This is their recommendation.  Would appreciate feedback and also how do you punch a 1'' hole in the top of the tank.  I do not wish to remove the tank. Thanks, Paul

OR
- drill or punch a 25 mm (1 in.) hole in a clear area on top of the fuel tank or fuel sender plate.
(Before drilling hole, apply grease to drill bit to catch metal chips)
- assemble tank-boss and fuel standpipe to form single unit.
- install standpipe by angling unit in so that one ear of the bushing hooks under the edge of the hole.
- repeat with the other ear in the same fashion.
4. Center in hole and clamp in place by tightening nut down until gasket begins to squeeze out slightly

[KWKloeber]

I am in the process of installing a Espar heater in my boat.  I do not have a spare port on the top of my tank.  This is their recommendation.  Would appreciate feedback and also how do you punch a 1'' hole in the top of the tank.  I do not wish to remove the tank. Thanks, Paul

OR
- drill or punch a 25 mm (1 in.) hole in a clear area on top of the fuel tank or fuel sender plate.
(Before drilling hole, apply grease to drill bit to catch metal chips)
- assemble tank-boss and fuel standpipe to form single unit.
- install standpipe by angling unit in so that one ear of the bushing hooks under the edge of the hole.
- repeat with the other ear in the same fashion.
4. Center in hole and clamp in place by tightening nut down until gasket begins to squeeze out slightly

To make a 1" hole in sheet metal, you could of use a bi-metal hole saw and arbor.
http://www.zoro.com/i/G4058031/
http://www.zoro.com/g/Threaded%20Hole%20Saw%20Arbors/00106662/None

Or a 1" knockout punch, like electricians use to punch a hole through a service cabinet for a conduit fitting.
http://www.zoro.com/i/G1950873/

Catching the metal filings will somewhat of an issue with either method., but not a show stopper.

Ken K

[Stu Jackson]

Paulus,

There was a discussion a few years ago with a skipper who was doing what appears to be the same as your task.  IIRC, his instructions said there HAD to be a separate connection for the heater to the fuel tank; it couldn't be T'd off the engine supply.

After a long discussion, he concluded that he'd try using his existing fuel supply line.  If it didn't work, he'd figure out how to make a new hole as you are contemplating.

As far as I know his T worked just fine, and he took it off after his primary filter (don't recall if  the T was after his fuel pump).

I've spent some time today looking for it, haven't found it yet, but if I do, I'll get you a link to the post.

You might consider this and see if it works for you.

[Stu Jackson]

Here it is!!!

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4070.0.html

Includes how to drill a hole in your tank by Steve Dolling aka waterdog.

[Paulus]

Where did all of you locate the heater?  I am thinking about placing it above the fuel tank?? The manuals do not indicate how much space should be left around the heating unit.
Paul

[Jeff Tancock]

I have a diesel furnace that is fueled by a "T" off the engine fuel line. It's worked fine since I bought the boat in 1998. Might be worth a try as it's easy and reversible.

[Jeff Tancock]

I should have mentioned that I have a Webasto...very similar to an Espar, and that it has a small screen type filter in line.
I did have a problem running both the furnace and the engine at the same time until I removed the screen on the pick up tube in the tank. It was clogged so it reduced fuel flow I presume.
All good since!

[Jack Hutteball]

Jeff, I have my Espar fuel line coming off an extra port on my Racor Filter, so the fuel is already filtered.  Local installer said I needed to install a new pick-up  tube into my fuel tank, filter it and add an additional pump to make it work.  I have the heater located in the aft port lazerette up high above the fuel tank, but within the height limit above the fuel tank as suggested by the heater manufacturer.  I have never had a problem with it working.  By the way, I purchased the heater from a truck supply company, as they were actually developed as truck heaters, and saved considerably.

Jack

[Craig Illman]

I, like Jack, took mine off the extra port on the
Racor. It never caused an issue.  My Espar was in the port lazarette.

Craig

[Paulus]

Does anyone know the specs on the space needed around the heater?
Paul