Fuel tank selector valve - multiple tanks

[montaillou]

If you've read my other threads and shake your head at my ideas, you're gonna wanna skip this one. What follows may show my ignorance.

So, my plan is to add 3 additional tanks to my truck. Initially, the plan was 2 additional tanks, but the third tank was gonna be pretty difficult to work with so I changed it to 2 smaller tanks for ease of installation. So, I will have one tank on each side of the truck. Then 2 additional tanks that ride on the bed in what will be a sub-floor of my camper.

Why do I want so much fuel? It's all part of the idea of going out of contact. The way I see it, I can use solar panels or wind to generate electricity, can carry lots of rations & water, and can even use an atmospheric water generator to create water, but fuel is one thing that limits how far I can go and for how long. Multiple tanks give me a safety margin and even from an economic point of view, if I find a good price on diesel I can stock up.

Ideally, I'd like to treat each tank separately.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a manifold or selector valve that would work for 4 tanks? At this point, the most I've seen is dual tank selectors, and I suppose I could daisy chain these together, is that how it's done or is there another choice?

 

[simp5782]

They make a valve that uses return fuel pressure to push the fuel from another tank to the suction tank.

Some have the bottom. Of the tanks with a level line across.

I have transfer pump that is a vane type so they are dependable. It pumps fuel from passengers side to drivers side but it also goes thru a 10micron filter so the 2 engine filters don't have to catch any large particles that got transferred.

My 3rd tank was slightly above my passengers tank and had a a hand valve on it so it was a sole gravity feed when I needed it. You could also use any type of electric on/off valve to activate it from the cab. I prefer a transfer pump cause if I turn it on and I don't see the gauge move shortly then I know I have an issue and I can plan accordingly getting fuel. Over a selector valve that may not work or switch back. The Carter HD4603P pump is rated for diesel and oil.

 

[montaillou]

I contacted a company that does custom valves that they have a solution for me. My plan is for each tank to maintain a separate line. The plan is to install a lift pump after the valve before the IP pump so whichever tank is active will be pulled by the pump.

As to cost, it's $650 for the valve and $515 for the actuator. I found some 3 way marine valves that cost more, so I'm rather pleased about the cost.

I still need to confirm all my measurements, so I haven't ordered yet, but this looks promising.

 

[montaillou]

Thought I would update this thread.

Had custom tanks made for the bed.

After talking it over with a friend, decided to connect these tanks to the outside tanks with one-way valves & pumps for filling purposes only. These tanks will ride in the bed and be completely hidden. The point being, should my exterior tanks get siphoned I will still have fuel as well as extending my range. They will also be wrapped with 1/2" ballistic fiberglass just because.
Total cost of the 2 tanks, with shipping: $1900. Had I gotten them last year before the inflation changes, it would've been closer to $1600, but what can you do. KSH Marine was the only fuel tank manufacturer I could find that would do a 7" high tank. Everyone else I spoke to could only go as low as 9", unless I wanted to go with a custom welder, but my costs would've have about tripled.

Tanks arrived the other day.

Also ordered an Allen Bradley 800T-N2KF4B 4 way switch for the dash.

 

[ToddJK]

I think having the extra tanks to carry more fuel is a good idea. Yeah it's nice to be able to turn a valve or flip a switch and keep going, for me, I just carried wmo mixed with gas in some drums with a hand pump and/air transfer pump, fuel was already filtered as I use specific drums only for filtered wmo. I can understand, something like a M109 or with a camper/overland type of vehicle, fuel drums is probably not something you want in the back where you'd sleep.