Securing Water Tanks

epretot · January 24, 2022, 05:03:32 PM

Let's talk about methods for securing water tanks in a cargo bay.

And remember...pictures are worth a thousand words.

Nova Eona · January 25, 2022, 06:55:21 AM

I installed cargo strap rails for my new freshwater tank, then used two straps with plastic corner-protectors. Haven't taken it far yet, but it should keep it nice and snug with the ability to easily tighten it further if it should ever shift.

richard5933 · January 25, 2022, 07:19:45 AM

Mine have been in place since 1974. Just a few aluminum channels screwed down around the base to keep them from sliding.

Glennman · January 25, 2022, 12:34:29 PM

Quote from: Nova Eona on January 25, 2022, 06:55:21 AM
I installed cargo strap rails for my new freshwater tank, then used two straps with plastic corner-protectors. Haven't taken it far yet, but it should keep it nice and snug with the ability to easily tighten it further if it should ever shift.

Nice. I really like the white panels you have all your hardware screwed to. Real clean that way. Looks much better than plywood.

richard5933 · January 25, 2022, 12:54:23 PM

Quote from: Glennman on January 25, 2022, 12:34:29 PM
Nice. I really like the white panels you have all your hardware screwed to. Real clean that way. Looks much better than plywood.

Looks like sheet PVC. I used the same thing to make my battery box.

Nova Eona · January 25, 2022, 01:40:05 PM

Thanks! It is just plywood actually, I figured I may as well paint it while I was putting the thing together. It's designed so that with a few minutes' work I can take out the entire assembly so that if it ever needs work I can do it on a bench instead of in the bay. More details're in my build thread (link in signature).

epretot · January 25, 2022, 03:42:07 PM

At the risk of derailing my own thread...

What is this? A vent?

Nova Eona · January 25, 2022, 04:02:55 PM

Quote from: epretot on January 25, 2022, 03:42:07 PM
At the risk of derailing my own thread...

What is this? A vent?

Hah, yes, it's a vent/overflow tube which has not yet been fitted with a screen. One of the valves below allows filling the tank from external sources, and the connections are sized such that if the tank is full while that valve remains open, it can vent full pressure before pressurizing the tank itself. That same tube below also houses the level sensers, I preferred fitting them to an easily monitored/replaced tube rather than the tank itself.