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Aux fuel tank install

D

dka99burb

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Location
Reidsville, NC
Ok. I need to focus on the current project today. I have bolted in my aux tank, acquired a inline pump that has a check valve as well as an anti-siphon valve. I also have a simple timer circuit with relay on a single board that I grabbed from ebay. I am thinking that since I have a camper shell that I want the pump on the frame rail but I have no idea where to pull the 12V from. I have a small, transparent, plastic, elec. proj. box that I will put the timer/relay board in and mount in the cab. It has a countdown display on it.. :thumbsup:

I would like opinions on where to pull my power from and where to locate the pump. It will simply be refilling the main tank thru a T in the fill tube. I am also debating what to do with the vent from the aux tank. Was thinking of tying it into the evap sys on truck but afraid of it throwing codes due to the extra volume to pull vac on.

IMG_20131116_115532_188.jpg
 
Get the power from the fuse block. Pick a fuse that runs off of the ignition. Any photos of the tank installed? What tank did you go with?
 
I would tie the vent to the evap system as most kits I know of do this. The one I have uses a 1 piece fill and vent tube that goes on the tank fill neck vent line. This will keep the gas fumes down for you. It will also eliminate a 'leak' through the pump to the other tank during the vacuum testing or tank becoming pressurized. It shouldn't barf a code as long as it can get a vacuum on the system.

Have you addressed gas fumes building up in the camper? Maybe a boat bilge blower? Not sure how you fill the tank if it is in the camper or on the side of the truck.
 
On my old 03 Qsteer there was a red junction box in engine compartment. Comes right off Bat. Makes a convienent spot.
BUT! Is it even legal/safe to haul that much/or any gasoline in an Aux tank?
 
I was concerned about the same thing and so I did a lot of research. You can legally do it as long as you pump it from the siphon fitting and don't try to gravity feed. There are companies out there who do gas aux tanks as turn key kits. Their tanks are no different. They have just paid DOT for extra certs to sell them as gas tanks. You used to be able to call RDS and get a tag certifying it for gas but they don't want to deal with DOT on it anymore.
The vent is the my last piece of the puzzle. I think I will try to tie it into the fill tube for now to see if the truck's evap. system can handle it. That would be ideal. BTW: The vent on the tank has a rolllover valve built in.
I spent some time today wiring up everything with a relay under the hood getting it's signal from my timer circuit. I pulled the power for the timer (low draw) from an add-a-circuit on the 'trailer back-up' fuse and the relay power is coming from an add-a-circuit on the 'rear defrost' fuse. Both of these are in the under hood fuse box and rarely used. I may move the relay power to the plastic power dist mentioned later but it looks real clean coming from the box. The pump is mounted under the truck, near the full tube. I am thinking of running braided AN line for suction from the tank but probably simple rubber from the pump to the T on the fill neck. I'm using a low pressure pump. I will post install pics when done.
Here is a quick phone pic of the tank.
aux tank.jpg
 
Not yet. I will have to crawl in for now. Being careful to stay grounded of course! I don't expect fumes to be a problem unless I spill some, which I will be very careful of too. I am not going to run an open vent on the tank. Tying it to the trucks evap sys.
Keeping in mind that I will not be filling this thing very often it shouldn't be a big issue. For example: When traveling to East Texas to visit her family; I will fill it the day before we pack up, stop a couple times along the way where I know gas is cheap, just to refill the main tank and I will still have some to spare when we arrive in TX. Then I can fill it again before packing for the return trip. The extra fuel will simply cut down on the frequent stops and have some reserve in case of emergencies. :thumbsup: 26 gal gets you no where in a 10-13mpg truck.:eek:
 
I wish I had the $$ for a modern diesel, or the time to work on a 6.5. I just stay too busy. The burb stayed on the lift about 1/4 of the time that I had it.
Of course, I probably had it about done when I sold it..... But the wife was over it! :nonod:
 
You might seriously consider Propane. Cheaper fuel, seems safer than an Aux tank of gasoline??? You can remote fill the tank, meaning you can run hoses to the outside (no need to get in the bed).

I did a propane conversion on Tanners truck and he loves it.
I pay $1.39/gal Tanner is about the same. I use propane 99% and only fill my gasoline tank every 5000ish miles.
I happen to have a kit exactly like Tanners in stock, Something to think about anyway.
 
The kit is nice, not sure what Leroy's kit price is but he installed mine and added it to the cost of the truck. The expensive part can be the tank. He found me an old used tank.

If you need a place to buy a tank I know a place in southern Oklahoma that rebuilds tanks with up to date gauges and valves.

Source Unknown
 
If I do the labor $3000. If you DIY and just need a kit $1200 + a tank. Keep an eye on your local Craigs list for a tank there are usually some on there. You can also get a tank for a bigger "delivery" type truck, the kind that mount to the frame under the box. You can mount one of those in your bed.
I have bought tanks off CL for $200.
The install of the kit is pretty easy. For the 6.0 I even have some injector wire harness adaptors so you wont cut your stock harness. Also have some propane injector nozzle adaptors so you dont have to drill your manifold. Its about as plug and play as it can be.
I'd even give you a better price if you agreed to do a detail write up on it.
I'll tell you up front I source the Propane ECM from China, but most of the other parts are Italian.
 
what kind of mileage do you get on propane? And, where do you get it for that price? I just looked online and it looks like it is almost as much as gasoline here.
 
Propane on a 6.0 will be 3 MPG less than gasoline. Also gas prices are down alittle right now, but wait til spring and they will jump up again.
Another thing I consider down here is: in an emergency like a huricane, gasoline will/has run dry at the sources/stores. Look what happenend in NJ when they got hit. I see your in NC so it might be a consideration for you?
Propane was almost untouched according to my supplier. So on Propane you'll atleast have an option.

As far as sources for propane, you need to get in the phone book or better yet go to a local mom & pops place and talk to them. Explain you are using propane as "road fuel". You have to stress this point! and make sure they understand you are burning it as a replacement for gasoline, you are not using it for heating, cooking.....ect. ITS ROAD FUEL!! This is the most frustrating part for me sometimes. Not all propane suppliers are on the same page or even know there is a difference in how they should be charging. There is also a $.50 cent per GALLON! rebate you can deduct from your taxes. I pay $1.39 including that rebate.

Another option is if you are on propane for your household you can set up to transfer propane to your truck from your house supply. BUT! you may not be able to top off the truck as once pressure equilizes (sp?) you can't get more in the tank. You could get a pump to do the transfer, I have no idea what that would cost??
Once you have a supplier that understands you will be kicking yourself for not converting sooner (resistance is futile:))
 
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