fuel tank regulations

[shayward_eng Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close shayward_eng]

Hello All,

I have started to begin my SVo conversion of my Apr 94 Discovery, however I have been unable to locate the regulations of installing aheated tank. I have consulted the vicroads website. They have three Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) sheets that I thought might help, namely 8, 20 and 22 but they were not relevant to diesel fuel tanks.

The applicable design rule is probably Australian Design Rule (ADR) 42, general safety requirements, but it seems you may have to purchase these standards.

Does anyone know what the requirements/constraints are for installing a heated fuel tank containing vegetable oil, or can someone redirect me to the source of information that will tell me.

Kind Regards

Scott Hayward

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: fuel tank regulations

Scott, from my experience;
There would be no regulations relating to heated fuel tanks, as there are a novel design.
The requirements would be that the tank is fabricated with baffle(s) and welded in accordance with the appropriate Australian Standard. The tank I had made has a makers name and identification number on it. The filler cap is specially made with 4 melt plugs in it which allow the tank to vent if involved in a fire.

My 70+ litre steel tank cost me $850 6 months ago. The maker refused to add heating coils to it, but I brazed a copper pipe maze to the bottom as a heat exchanger.
Tony

[shayward_eng Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close shayward_eng]

Re: fuel tank regulations

Thank you Tony for the information,

I think you must be correct about thier being no regulations on it because it is a "new" thing. I have managed to aquire Australian Deisng Rule 42 - general safety requirements for vehicles, and it does not mention anything related to fuel tank design. Reviewing the Vehicle Standard Information, I see that the requirement for the filler on the outside of the vehicle is for petrol engines, so I am fairly happy to proceed.

As for your getting the tank welded to Australian Standards, I don't see why this should be an issue? The tank is not under pressure (I am assuming that the filler cap will allow air to be sucked in. I will test it first.) Which welding standard did you choose? For petrol or diesel tanks? I am assuming there are welding standards for these because it it very dangerous to have volatile petrol going everywhere in the event of a crash. However my mechanic tells me that some fuel tanks are now made out of plastic.

Thanks for the input

Scott Hayward

[aussie bloke Member Find all posts View Profile Close aussie bloke]

Re: fuel tank regulations

gidays guys,
my powerstroke tank is plastic with 2 straps holding it, this is the factory diesel tank, there is a regulation for l.p.g clyinders mounting brackets which i install, if you install youre tank, make sure the holding bolts have a large plate in front of them so they dont pull through in a accident, this would be roadworthy, tell them it is aussie bloke approved and they should be happy with that.
cheers mark

[Guest Close David]

Re: fuel tank regulations

Have you thought of trying a truck wreckers for a small tank off a light commercial truck? I noticed one the other day which was a nice square size and looked like it may hold around 100L or so.

I think if you got something like this which would have to have been certified to be used on the original vehicle in the first place and added some sort of external heating which did not comprimise the tanks construction, you would have to be within whatever regulations are in place.

That said, I am of the belief that WVO is classified as a food rather than a fuel, so maybe you need to be looking under the regs for food transportation?
As a lot of the oil originally comes in plastic drums and thin walled tins, I really doubt if there are going to be any regs of consequence.

Perhaps you could email the traffic authourity which would give you a written response you could keep a copy of or give them a call with your question and let them find the answer for you?