Plumbing and Piping - Plumb a second oil tank to the first with one fill one vent
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eljoscelyn
07-02-09, 01:26 PM
I have a second oil tank I would like to install and have it hooked into my first so both may be filled with the same fill pipe outside. I already have the first plumbed in place with a vent and a fill to the outside. It is an old tank with only two openings in the top - one for the fill and one for the vent. The new tank has four openings. How do I plumb them together so both may be filled from the single fill pipe outside? Do they both have to be at exactly the same level or should one be slightly lower or higher than the other? :confused: Is a ball valve with a lever okay for the oil shutoff at the bottom of the tank or do I need something specific for the job?:help:
DUNBAR PLUMBER
07-02-09, 10:24 PM
I cannot see this working because the one who comes to fill the tanks is not going to know how to gauge how much to bring without some accurracy.
I've reworked a few of these in my days and there are horror stories of "issues" where a tank was overfilled, along with the vent not whistling to indicate if it was full or not.
The supply company (if in the basement) cannot see a concealed tank, whether it be in the ground or basement. Outside isn't a problem.
I would invest the time and install a second set of pipes and be done with it.
Cost of materials would be under $30 unless you have to buy another gauge/whistle for the tank, those are around $58.
I've reworked a few of these in my days and there are horror stories of "issues" where a tank was overfilled, along with the vent not whistling to indicate if it was full or not.
The supply company (if in the basement) cannot see a concealed tank, whether it be in the ground or basement. Outside isn't a problem.
I would invest the time and install a second set of pipes and be done with it.
Cost of materials would be under $30 unless you have to buy another gauge/whistle for the tank, those are around $58.
furd
07-03-09, 12:28 PM
Even in commercial/industrial situations where there are multiple tanks it is uncommon to have a single supply line to fill all tanks. The hazards are just too great.
Grady
07-22-09, 06:21 PM
Connecting two tanks with a single fill & vent is a common practice, maybe not the best way to do it but commonly done.
The way it's done is to fill one tank & have it "overflow" into the second. The "overflow" pipe would be connected to the tapping now used for the vent & piped to another tapping in the second tank. The "overflow" pipe must be at least as large as the fill pipe. The vent, with whistle, would be piped from the second tank. There also needs to be an "equalizer" line connecting the bottom of the two tanks. The two tanks have to be the same height. Unless you are skilled at piping & can do this yourself, it isn't worth the trouble. The cost of the fittings would likely be almost as costly as installing a separate fill & vent for the new tank.
The separate fill & vent for the new tank is the best way to install your second tank.
The way it's done is to fill one tank & have it "overflow" into the second. The "overflow" pipe would be connected to the tapping now used for the vent & piped to another tapping in the second tank. The "overflow" pipe must be at least as large as the fill pipe. The vent, with whistle, would be piped from the second tank. There also needs to be an "equalizer" line connecting the bottom of the two tanks. The two tanks have to be the same height. Unless you are skilled at piping & can do this yourself, it isn't worth the trouble. The cost of the fittings would likely be almost as costly as installing a separate fill & vent for the new tank.
The separate fill & vent for the new tank is the best way to install your second tank.