Whiich way to go?

[Rattlenbang]

Can I get any opinions on the best veggie fuel tank arrangement to use on my L300? I currently have a poly fuel tank, volume about 61 litres, dimensions 30X45X45cm. Unfortunately it was designed to sit upright, so to lay it on it's side to fit in the spare tire well would require figuring out how to change the big fittings - the large fuel fill and gauge sender, which if the tank were laid flat would be on the side instead of the top. It would also need to be covered with some kind of steel plate/guard. If going this route I plan on mounting the spare on the side of the van using a spare tire carrier off the nose of a westy.

Or I could say to heck with the poly tank and just use one of the two tanks that are in my van. Does anyone know what the volumes are and which is larger? it seems like way easier to simply use one tank for veg, one for diesel, but that's just after a cursory look and I'm sure lots of PITA monkey work involved.

I have a good quality heated filter, 6-way electro valve, and veggietherm heater. I want the veg system involved but really don't feel like doing it myself right now; what should I look at paying for someone to install this system?

[nxski]

Most people go with an Aluminum tank where the spare tire is, have you thought about that?

[Rattlenbang]

Well, sure, but given that I have these two other options, it seems a waste of money. Either of my options will work, but I'm trying to decide which would be most effective/less hassle. The idea of using the stock twin tanks sounds appealing as it involves less modification, but I would like to hear from someone who has done it that way.

[nxski]

I know that there are a few that have done it that way. The problem is that you will have to fill-up every 200-250km.

[Rattlenbang]

True, but that assumes only one tank filled with fuel And where did you get tha mileage figure from? Doesn't it depend on which tank is used for diesel? I thought they were each a different size?

[BCDelica]

I know that there are a few that have done it that way. The problem is that you will have to fill-up every 200-250km.

On my first Delica veg conversion I split the tank and used the much larger rear tank for wvo. It is necessary to drop both tanks and also be sure to ensure proper venting for each. Originally we used filled both from the existing diesel filling location but found it to cramped and relocated the filler to the rear of the van. A time consuming conversion but handy given my preferred filling option, open up the rear hatch and squeeze in a couple of wvo totes. Never did get the existing Delica gauges to read correctly so it was just a matter of watching the mileage and refilling the wvo tank at, or before 300 kms. Never ran it dry and we hit 350 km's the odd time on wvo if just around town driving.

After trying many different methods of refilling, while traveling and sometimes at home even though I had a pump and nozzle set up, was using a pvc through hull marine fitting mounted in the lid from a tote with a piece of hose on that. Kept this filler in a plastic bag for neatness, and you quickly learned just how fast you could squeeze in (no venting on the tote) a tote full of wvo. I could top up the rear tank in less time than it took one kid to use a gas station bathroom - that and snacks means you still visit them. And funny enough found gas stations to be the one place where you got a lot of questions during the refilling. Have done a lot of road side filling throughout BC and USA, and officials love to stop and find out your doing.



Similar but without the valve.

[Rattlenbang]

Looks good. I suppose that on long non-wvo trips you could fill both tanks with diesel.

[BCDelica]

Did a road trip summer of 05 in that Delica; Sunshine coast, Calgary, Edmonton, rockies, and just like you said filled both tanks with diesel. Than the fillers were in the same location then. The 3 tanked Delica, with a good stock of wvo totes, was more convenient over long remote distances.

This Delica filled with 2 guys, gear for 7 days of fishing, and enough wvo for the whole trip.....max'ed out at 54 kph up the hwy 24 hill from Little Fort.

[Rattlenbang]

That sounds great. I think I'll try the two tank setup for now; I can always add the other tank behind if I need to.