Light at the end of the tunnel.
This is not for the faint of heart. That said it was made
considerably worse by doing it in Florida summer, on a full day's work I
lost about 5 lbs.
1. I originally planned to make front and back and then the base/sides
and glue it all together. This is impossible.
2. I then did what I should have done in the first place and made a plug
of XPS. Sounds easy when said like that but oh boy. Getting the plug out
was a nightmare despite (supposed) release tape. lesson learned: make the
plug hollow. Front and back and then build the sides so that you can break
out the plug without effort.
3. I used EZ Poxy and Rutan cloth.
4. I glassed the inside with three layers. It is quite heavy, I
am guessing maybe 50% more than the original, (can anyone send me the
weight of a plastic tank ?) but very solid. However I guess it will crack
in the case of a crash.
5. This tank holds 15 gals. 5 gals up to the top of the "hump", 5
gals up to the bottom of the shelf and 5 gals in the shelf. I could have
made it a bit bigger but it fist in the door sills.
6. I have decided to go with the original outlet fittings so that I can
inspect the finger strainers as part of the annual. I have heard of
fiberglass tanks shedding. The fiberglass outlets for the fittings will be
floxed/glassed in place. I will use the original 1" hose arrangement to
hold the aluminium outlets in place.
7. Filler is next.
8. I am putting an inspection hatch in the top.
I asked Europa for a quote the day after I discovered the leak. I am still
waiting for the quote, let alone the delivery time.
Thanks to Chuck Reinas in CA.
Will
William Daniell
LONGPORT
+1 786 878 0246
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