Steel tank and WVO???

[Cark]

Just reading in some other posts people mentioning problems with using steel tanks for SVO. I was planning on getting an 88 gal steel L shaped transfer tank (delta tank #487000) to fit under my tool box and heating it with a hot fox. But I'm getting scared now reading about these possible "reactions" between the steel and the heated oil. Is it a serious issue to consider or what is up???

[hheynow]

The only people who run milled steel with WVO are those whose stock tanks now used for vegoil are steel. My 97 F-350 Reg Cab PSD has plastic tanks and my friend's 97 F-250 Super Cab PSD has milled steel front and rear. I have a Hot Fot in my front tank and it's fine and my friend has a Hot Fox in his steel front tank. His tank seems to get hotter than mine since steel conducts heat far better than fuel tank plastic. He has a chicken skin flaking off and clogging his vegoil filter periodically and is planning on the tank being dropped after two years for a cleaning. My plastic tank is fine.

99% of those who use transfer tanks for VO use aluminum. Aluminum will not rust with wet VO sitting in the bottom of your tank like steel will. I too have a cross the bed tool box but decided against the L shape because of a wider base for sediments to accumulate. (Dunno if that really matters). Northern Tool has two reasonable aluminum tanks that fit our beds and I have the vertical 70. It's 26" tall and is above the bed rail, but it's EXACTLY the same height as my tool box and is only 13.5" deep so they are back to back in my bed. Most of the time my tool box is off.

vertical 70 gal

vertical 90 gal

[Cark]

This is good to know. I don't wanna have to deal with the "chicken skin" or having to completely clean my tank every few months of rust and what not. I was even considering a transfer flow aft axel replacement tank @ 45 gallons, but that is made of aluminized steel. I'll prolly look into the 90 gal RDS option and take some measurements and all to see how the toolbox (and possibly stacks) would line up in the bed. I'd still have room to slide stuff UNDER the tool box, so it could work out fine. However it might look kinda funny with all that in the bed of the truck...

[AFBLUE]

Had a Golden fuel systems tank that was steel in my 95 and once the polymerization starts you start plugging filters and cant stop it. my 100% honest advice, STAY AWAY FROM STEEL AND COPPER WITH WVO. Aluminum is good, spend the extra $ and save the heartache.

[Clay Henry]

Originally Posted by AFBLUE

Had a Golden fuel systems tank that was steel in my 95 and once the polymerization starts you start plugging filters and cant stop it. my 100% honest advice, STAY AWAY FROM STEEL AND COPPER WITH WVO. Aluminum is good, spend the extra $ and save the heartache.

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[Cark]

everyone mentions the combo of steel, copper, and the heated WVO... but what if I'm using a hot fox to heat my oil and not a copper element??? I know corrosion inside the tank from water could still be an issue, but if all the water is filtered out before it goes into the tank then what? Not trying to skimp here, just wondering if it's still and issue without the copper. Thanks

[kingchip]

You will still have condensation.

[AFBLUE]

Its late and I dont have time to find the article about it, so just trust me on blind faith, experience, frustration, and extra $ that I spent trying to solve this problem. The issue of steel tanks is not it rusting inside, I didnt have a spec of rust inside my tank, it looked like rust but what it was is Polymerized oil, The combination of heat, air and a catalyst. the oil auto oxidizes, The best known common catalyst for vegi is copper, second is bare mild steel, and farther down the list is aluminum, and the least reactive is plastic.
Once the reaction starts, it grows more and faster, to the point the layer (chicken skin) looses contact with the steel, falls off, and gets sloshed around in the oil, ultimately either making it to your filter and plugging it up in sheets, or sloshing around till it busts apart and turns into a clay like mud, and plugs your filter.

The only advantage I had with my Golden Fuels tank is it had 2, 7" ports on the top that I could reach all the way in, and scrape 2-3 times a year to stay ahead of the mess, it would create if I didnt. Tell me how you are going to clean a 70 or 90 gal L tank through a 2" pipe hole? Guarantee in less than 2 years you will be throwing the tank out you will be so pissed with it. spend the $ now and save 2X$ later.

Vegistroke polymerization page

This should bring a little more reality to the subject.

[Motown Fire]

I use a steel 75 gallon "L" shaped tank and I am getting poly in my tank. I think it may have helped kill my first FASS. I am switching to my 100 gallon aluminum tank as soon as I have a day or two off work and can get it prepped for the bed liner spray booth. I have been using mine for about 10,000+ miles now since March.

[hheynow]

Cark you've heard from the experts with first hand experience and it's unanimous so please don't try to fool mother nature. She ALWAYS wins. If you do get a steel tank you'll be doing for a long while. Save yourself some aggravation and do it right the first time.