Filling water tanks

[Richard Feffer]

A short while ago, someone posted a message suggesting that when filling water tanks to fill from inside the boat instead of using the deck fill. The reason given was to avoid rupturing the tank. I have experienced pressure build-up in the tank when filling through the deck fitting. My question is, if the tank is vented either overboard or into the bilge, wouldn't the pressure be vented through the vent line?

Richard Feffer
s/v Adamarie
CD30MKII
Stamford, Ct.



RichFef@Prodigy.net

[Jim Adams]

A reason that I remember is that the deck fill line is a big source of nasties. Skipping it is one less contaminant.


Jim Adams
CD30 Lauren Leigh
Houston, TX



jamespadams@yahoo.com

[Ken Coit]

Richard,

As I understand it, once the tank is full the vent line no longer vents air and is trying to vent water. If the flow is gentle, then I suppose there is no problem other than where the water goes. If the tank and fittings and hoses can't handle the pressure, then you really have a problem on your hands.

In our case, the water may end up on the cabin sole which is not good. I will be filling from inside from now on.


Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

A short while ago, someone posted a message suggesting that when filling water tanks to fill from inside the boat instead of using the deck fill. The reason given was to avoid rupturing the tank. I have experienced pressure build-up in the tank when filling through the deck fitting. My question is, if the tank is vented either overboard or into the bilge, wouldn't the pressure be vented through the vent line?

Richard Feffer
s/v Adamarie
CD30MKII
Stamford, Ct.

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Ken Cave]

You might want to look at your lines leading to the tank! The original lines were of clear plastic-and when I pulled mine, they were really black and nasty!! I also changed all the lines as they were all in the same condition..

I fill mine from the inside, as I can also see the condition of the tank as well as the existing water while I fill it up.

Ken Cave
Dragon Tale
CD 28
Anacortes, WA



bcave@whidbey.net

[Bruce Barber]

Richard,

Depends on the fill rate. The fill line is usually bigger than the vent line (unfortunately) so you can fill the tank a lot faster than the vent can handle the excess once the tank is topped off. At too high a fill rate, the result can be excessive pressure and structural failure, or at least a loud noise and some deflection of the tank sides. Best not to be too anxious to complete the fill process, unless you can actually watch the progress, which is the advantage you have when you fill through the access port of the tank.

Bruce Barber
25D Nancy Dawson
Shady Side, MD



bruce.barber@att.net

[Randy Bates]

My CD25D has the water tank vent on the upper starboard side of the transom. When filling thru the deck fitting the sound of venting air can be heard and used to judge the fill rate. The change in sound as the tank fills gives a very good indication when full is being approached.



randy.bates@baesystems.com

[Mimi Litsche]

A short while ago, someone posted a message suggesting that when filling water tanks to fill from inside the boat instead of using the deck fill. The reason given was to avoid rupturing the tank. I have experienced pressure build-up in the tank when filling through the deck fitting. My question is, if the tank is vented either overboard or into the bilge, wouldn't the pressure be vented through the vent line?

Richard Feffer
s/v Adamarie
CD30MKII
Stamford, Ct.

Having read all of the replies so far--one question I have is--HOW do you fill it from the inside? My tank is not easily accessible and it is blue--so you can't see into it. Am I missing something?

Mimi
CD25D # 54
s/v QUEST



mlitsche@hotmail.com

[Larry Austin]

hey fef,,,,which water tank are you having trouble filling? I could never fill my starboard water tank without first removing that 3 " inspection cover on top of the tank to vent the air out as the tank was filling. The problem was the vent hose routing. The vent hose is connected to the "front" "right " side of the tank about a inch down from the top. it is NOT mounted on the TOP of the tank. the problem was that the hose ran along the side of the tank, toward the back and then went up and stopped just below the fill tank fitting. when the boat went on a "port " tach water would flow into the vent hose and fill the part of the hose that ran along side the tank. The water would never flow back into the tank when you leveled out,,,,,,,,,,,,now you have a vent line full of water. I rerouted the vent hose such as it is "higher" then the tank when the boat levels out and any water in the vent line will run back into the tank.

when i first got the boat you would see water coming out from under the settee after i filled the tank. i looked all over for cracks, etc. what happen was when filling the tank , after enough pressure built up in the vent hose it finally pushed the water up and out the top of the vent hose,,,by this time the water tank also looked like it was ready to burst.

the forward tank,,,,,i had to fill slowly......i put a larger vent hose on that tank....works fine now.

Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA



laustin@us.ibm.com

[Ken Coit]

There should be an inspection port on the top of each tank. It should be under a wooden hatch. Parfait has a blue tank under the quarterberth and the inspection port is in the middle of the forward end of the top. Two white Kracor tanks under the settees also have inspection ports. I haven't looked lately, but I am sure the tank under the V-berth has one as well.


Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

A short while ago, someone posted a message suggesting that when filling water tanks to fill from inside the boat instead of using the deck fill. The reason given was to avoid rupturing the tank. I have experienced pressure build-up in the tank when filling through the deck fitting. My question is, if the tank is vented either overboard or into the bilge, wouldn't the pressure be vented through the vent line?

Richard Feffer
s/v Adamarie
CD30MKII
Stamford, Ct.

Having read all of the replies so far--one question I have is--HOW do you fill it from the inside? My tank is not easily accessible and it is blue--so you can't see into it. Am I missing something?

Mimi
CD25D # 54
s/v QUEST

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Shanna Paxton]

When I am filling my tanks and they are full (I think) I get overflow in the bilge over the starboard side. Is this where it happens typically? I am used to the overflow coming out of the manaul pump?



spaxton@crmcnet.com