How old are your gas tanks?

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:30 am

there's a # to and some other writing with it the puddle pirates look for I'll post Monday.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:46 am

Tony its USCG Type A1 or A1-15 , A1-15 Is the newer spec that meets epa standards will also have the date and other info on it . they make a B2 ,B1-15 but thats for outboards

Here is some good info

http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/fuel.html

On metallic lines
Quote :
Metallic fuel Lines: If you use metallic fuel lines, the ones that run from the fuel tank to the fuel inlet on the engine must be one of the following; seamless annealed copper, nickel-copper, or copper-nickel. From the fuel pump to the carburetor they can be any metal you want to use. Beware. You could set up a galvanic couple and the tube will be eaten away like powder. Choose carefully if you use metal fuel line from the pump to the carburetor. Do not use copper tubing. Pure copper is very subject to galvanic corrosion.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:06 pm

and copper as in pluming copper from hardware stores can and will fail from vibrations, the stuff is to soft.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:34 pm

Does anyone know what the composition of the copper tubing used in refridgeration is, and can it be used in fuel applications? Just wondering?

rbcool · Post by **rbcool** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:39 pm

Mine is the thick walled copper, looks like its from the factory.

Ron

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:29 pm

Big D I'd say no. If it wasn't made for gas lines on a boat I wouldn't use it.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:17 pm

"the fuel inlet on the engine must be one of the following; seamless annealed copper, nickel-copper, or copper-nickel. "

I would like to walk into lowes or home depot and ask for that .

I always thought there was soft copper tubing and had copper tubing and that was that . I learn somthing today , now I am wondering about some copper tubing I use on my steering

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:39 pm

Tony, just wondering if anybody knew for sure what the refridgeration stuff is made of. I know it's thicker walled and not the exact same material as the plumbing stuff (at least it wasn't years ago). It may very well be the same composition as required for fuel apps. Just wondering.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:59 pm

Big D wrote:Tony, just wondering if anybody knew for sure what the refridgeration stuff is made of. I know it's thicker walled and not the exact same material as the plumbing stuff (at least it wasn't years ago). It may very well be the same composition as required for fuel apps. Just wondering.

I would say no as the specs are diffrent
The more I learn the less I seem to know LOL

refrigeration stuff
ASTM B 280 â€“ Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Service

This is one type for fuel ( and suitable for use in refrigeration ? suitable ??)
Bright annealed copper tube is an almost pure copper tube manufactured to the requirements of ASTM B 68 â€“ Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube, Bright Annealed. It may be manufactured from any one of the following alloys: C10200, C10300, C10800, C12000, or C12200 unless specified otherwise on the original contract or purchase order. ASTM B68 tube is suitable for use in refrigeration, fuel oil, gasoline, or oil lines where the interior surface of the tube is essentially free of any scale or.....

And there is nothing saying this ok for marine gas/fuel use . so it gets even better

Glad I have all hose to and from the engines to the tank

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:26 pm

So if I read you correctly Paul, there is a copper line that is rated for use with fuel and refridgeration, ASTM B68 correct?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:38 pm

Big D wrote:So if I read you correctly Paul, there is a copper line that is rated for use with fuel and refridgeration, ASTM B68 correct?

Thats kind of how I read it BUT ( always a but ) the one use manly for refrigeration (ASTM B 280) is not rated for gas/fuel

At least thats the way I read it and there is nothing I have found saying this was ok for marine use .

Read about and you decide
I just did a search on one type of the copper tubing WOW

http://www.copper.org/applications/plum ... _stds.html

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:46 pm

Big D , I know what you mean, but I'm with Paul on the all hose thing, I seen to many reefer lines break on Navy boats I just don't trust them. But it would be nice to fine a cuni or monel of even a cres that meets marine gas reg. and use it for straight runs.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:06 pm

You would think this would be nice and simple . Maybe a engine less sail boat would not be a bad idea .

Forget that I just found the ISO specs for sails

rbcool · Post by **rbcool** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:02 am

I guess Trojan knew what they were doing. I haveit from the tank to the remote fuel filter. Does anybody else have copper??

Ron.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:39 pm

I have copper from tanks through valving and up to location of Fuel Pump. There is a flexible hose connection from line to fuel pump. It appears to be original as both engines are exactly the same stuff.

Regarding Ref vs plumbing as long as it is thick wall copper they are the same. The big difference comes in one size that HVAC use and it is 5/8 OD and there is nothing in plumbing like it. Plumber hate to run into it as they do not carry proper fittings. BTW all ref copper comes with dry nitrogen in it to avoid moisture contamination.

In HVAC both rigid copper and soft (flexible, annealed copper is used) I suspect the requirement for "annealed copper" is so it is soft and can flex hard copper does not flex and cracks. I have seen soft annealed copper freeze with water in it and not crack, hard will crack open like an egg.

I had an HVAC business for 6 years.

When I first saw copper being used for fuel I had concerns as way back in my memory it seemed that I recalled that gasoline attacked copper, obviously that was in error. I can tell you this, natural gas does attack it vigorously and cannot be used for it under any circumstance, but NG not found on boat.