On my Bayliner boat rebuild
I have this automotive fuel cell I wanna use on the boat
with my 898 Mercruiser set up............
Any reason I should not?
Is it marine certified and rated? Is that an electric fuel pump in the tank? Is it marine rated. Is the pressure correct for a carbed engine, it would have to be controlled electrically for not running unless the engine is.
The requirements for marine plastic tanks is very restrictive. Has a lot to do with the permeability of the plastic. I don't know what that is for vehicles. Gas fumes will go through plastic. Marine tanks usually don't have as much fresh to circulate arond them as in a car, or truck. I would not use it in a boat at all but certainly never in an enclosed space.
The requirements for marine plastic tanks is very restrictive. Has a lot to do with the permeability of the plastic. I don't know what that is for vehicles. Gas fumes will go through plastic. Marine tanks usually don't have as much fresh to circulate arond them as in a car, or truck. I would not use it in a boat at all but certainly never in an enclosed space.
Many of those fuel cells (like what's pictured) are installed inside the car, not outside it. I have mine installed in the trunk of my race car. They have a vent fitting that has to be run to the outside though, but I would not use it unless it USCG approved, which I doubt. Better to sell it and use the funds to buy the right one.
99.9% chance it would work just fine, but, and that is a huge but, if something happens in the way of an explosion or fire, insurance would probably leave you high and dry because it wasn't an approve fuel containment device. And then there is living with the thought that the use of an unapproved container damaged / destroyed yours or someone else's property or heaven forbid, someone was hurt or worse because of it. To me, it would be an easy decision. Avoiding getting the right stuff just aint worth the risk....
x2 on the insurance company frowning HEAVILY on such an installation.
I personally saw an inboard ski boat burn to the water line a few years back.
I read too many horrible stories every year too.
The coast guard standards are there for a reason.
Like said, you may very well be able to get away with it, but are you going to own this boat FOREVER too?
Next owner is not as lucky and they find the source of trouble as an auto tank installed by previous owner, you...guess what???
I don't think it was a "Spam moment". Just a question by someone really into performance cars and not really keen on marine do's and dont's, thinking they are one in the same. Completely different animals.
Like the folks asking if a 1985 Chevy 350 carb / alternator / starter will work on his / her 1985 5.7L Mercruiser, that we see here from time to time..
This boat is a compleate restoration - I would most likely never sell...
Yes the tank would work-and it is somthing I just have lying around..
A good sorce were I am getting my parts did have this to say...
"As far as the race car tank. Sorry to say but it cannot be used. The US
Coast Guard Regulations State that a Marine fuel tank must be 100%
completely sealed on the bottom and it must draw fuel via a siphon tube
from the top of the tank no other means to get fuel from the tank can be
used."
So that being sayed lookes like I will have to figure somthing else out..
I really want to know where all this information is coming from ? My new car has a top fill -- top pump ..closed top vent system with filter tank --- so far the only difference i find is fuel pump is in tank and that could be converted to a syphon system to use the motor fuel pump !!
Are not DOT,, DOD,, and Marine fuel-tanks now not meeting all 3 standards ,,
Federal , EPA and DOD Standards
Marine tanks are not legal to take on the highway and do not meet EPA Standards because they are vented to open air !!
1) There is no fuel pump in it, its a regular bottom sump fuel cell meant for an external pump.
2) The black plastic ones distort like crazy if they are used out in the sun - I ran one in the back of an open jeep for a while and they really need to be covered from the sun. The aluminum ones work better for external use.
