Fuel Tank Condensation - Idea

[happycamperbrat]

As some of you know, I have ongoing health issues with my family combined with projects around my property that keep delaying my conversion. Anyway, Im looking at probably another winter where I wont have the conversion done and my bus will be parked. The tank is less then 1/2 full now. The age old wisdom is to fill the tank to the brim to prevent condensation, but I am wondering if wrapping the tank and engine and any metal hoses with insulation like styrofoam board would prevent condensations inside the tank?

[bevans6]

I would seal the tank so that air can't circulate inside it.  If moist air can't get in, no condensation can occur.

Brian

[wal1809]

If you can drive it then it would be easier to fill it up and be done with it.  It isn't like that fuel will be going to waste.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 Full tank is the easiest way. And the fuel that you buy today might be a bargain by next summer. 

[Iceni John]

I definitely agree with keeping the tank full all the time.   It's a good feeling knowing that you can drive at least 600 miles at a moment's notice, if you had to.   Just bear in mind that diesel expands as it gets warmer  -  two years ago I filled my tank brim-full one winter, and a few days later we had a heatwave when it got to over 90 F here (how could I guess it would be that hot in February?).   A few pints of my precious diesel came out of the filler neck and tank vent, and caused consternation to the owner of the yard where my bus is parked.

Isn't the air where you live fairly dry most of the year?   That should also help reduce possible condensation buildup.   It's also a good idea to open the fuel tank drain once a year or so, to let out any water that's sunk to the bottom.   I wanted to put a Fumoto valve there, but it hangs too low  -  I'd hate to lose a full tank of diesel because something tore the valve off.   I also drain my Racor separator every year, but there's very little water and virtually no black goo there any more.

John

[desi arnaz]

what would happen if you took all the fuel out? would there not be an algae problem with fuel sitting so long?

[Oonrahnjay]

what would happen if you took all the fuel out? would there not be an algae problem with fuel sitting so long? 

If she has a 100 gallon tank with 50 gallons of fuel in it, there's 50 gallons of air to have the vapor condense out of.  If she has a 100 gallon tank that's empty, there's 100 gallons of air to have the vapor condense out of.  The one good thing about an empty tank is that it would be easy to drain the condensed water out of it -- but that tank would have to be entirely dry of fuel. 

Algae can happen any time.  And, yes, it's usually worse if there's water in the fuel.  Most diesel can stay stored 4-5 months with no problems - there will be algae if the fuel is kept dry.  I'm not sure how likely a tank "stored" over a winter would need "algae treatment" out of a bottle.  I guess it's always possible that that might be needed. 

"Power Service" in the grey bottle has strong water emulsifying agents.  The white bottle stuff has anti-gel but less of the water treatment.  If you're anticipating starting up in springtime temps of 40's or 50's or higher, you won't need the anti-gel.  I always treat my fuel to a bottle of "Power Service" grey after a winter.  But the best thing would be to keep air and water vapor out of it in the first place.  Unless you have a way to draw a vacuum on a tank and maybe use some kind of dessicant material, filling it with fuel over the winter is probably the best way to "winterize" it and keep water out.

[luvrbus]

Theresa, you can buy the Water Eliminator WE2 will cost you 23.95 for a 2 pack just drop 1 in your tank pretty simple and easy used in the marine world for years I don't know where you could buy it in your area but Pecuniary is the manufacturer and they do work 

good luck 

[happycamperbrat]

Thanks guys! There are lots of good ideas here! Yes, usually it is very dry here and condensation is not something I have to think about. But right now my bus is stripped and I have stainless steel roof. Last winter it was especially wet (for us anyway) and inside my bus was like it was raining because of all the little droplets in the ceiling. Everyone said that when it is insulated it wont do that. I have a bunch of insulation now to put up and I was thinking about my fuel tank as well. Actually in my tank I have very little fuel because Im planning on removing it (I have an aluminum one sitting next to my bus that I want to install in it's place) But Im not sure I can get the fuel tanks changed out before winter hits.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 Thomas, if you just took all of the fuel out the walls of the tank would probably start rusting depending on what they are  made of. Then you would have the problem of crud in your filters once you filled it again unless you flushed it out. Sounds like a lot of hassle and un-necessary work to me, compared to just topping off the tank.

[Iceni John]

Is it true that the dreaded algae grows only at the interface of diesel and water?   In other words, it doesn't occur in the diesel fuel itself, but only where the diesel meets the water?   Does anyone here know if this is true?   If this is so, draining out all traces of water should help.   Can life (such as algae) exist in a pure hydrocarbon environment?   I've heard of bacteria that eat oil, but do they actually live in the oil or do they just visit there for a nice meal out, then return to their watery abode after?

I imagine life in bacteria-land may be something like a Gary Larson vignette:
"Martha, where shall we go out to eat tonight?"
"Fred, I'm glad you asked, Wilma told me about a delicious new oil slick that's just opened up nearby."
"Yum, I can't wait.   Let's go there now."
Or maybe not.

John