Maderita
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Posts: 680
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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Need advice on Rotoplas tinaco, outlet leaking
Hey guys, I could use some advice.
The outlet pipe "multi-connector" of a 1,100 liter Rotoplas tinaco started dripping at the connection to the tank's bulkhead fitting. Screwing the
connection tighter made no improvement.
Does anyone know if there is a gasket or O-ring seal at that connection?
The part can be viewed here:
http://www.homedepot.com.mx/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Produc...
The leak started after a very cold period. Night time temperatures dipped below 16 F. I wonder if the water in the unprotected outlet froze and
cracked the plastic outlet pipe at or adjacent to the connection.
The worst case scenario is that the leak is in the bulkhead fitting. Is that glued or heat-welded into the tank? Can a Rotoplas bulkhead fitting be
replaced, and how is it done?
It is a long distance on bad roads to fetch parts, so I want to arrive with the correct parts.
Thanks in advance.
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woody with a view
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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the easy fix is to drain it and seal everything with a tube of silicone. a big fat bead should work inside and out.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I used Elastomeric Marine Sealant. Also good is 5300 from 3M. Silicon caulking will not adhere for a longer period of time.
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Islandbuilder
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That's a pretty hard freeze for an unprotected plastic fitting. I think that the fitting is cracked on the outside of the tank. The mass of the water
in the tank may have protected the tank itself and the inner-portion of the fitting, but the outside portion was exposed to the cold, froze and split.
I would suggest a very close examination to confirm or refute my guess, and then a trip to buy a new fitting. I would suggest buying materials to
protect the fitting from freezing in the future while you're at the store. Even piling up some rocks to form a low retaining wall that you can fill
with sand a foot deep around the fitting would help.
Goop applied on the outside of a crack in a plastic fitting with the pressure of 1000 gallons behind it will probably not last, certainly not through
another freeze/thaw cycle.
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DavidE
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Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Too bad you cannot get to a WEST MARINE. They have through-hull fitting patch kit that would seal that leak tighter than a Bull's you know what, in
fly season. Even when dripping.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 680
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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DavidE,
Thanks. I can walk to a West Marine store - it's only a mile from my house. Getting to the ranch in Baja is the long haul. Do you know the name/brand
of the patch kit? Worst case is that I will need it.
Islandbuilder,
Yes, I suspect that the freeze split the exposed outlet pipe "multiconnector." I'm hoping that replacing that inexpensive part will fix the leak.
Won't know for sure until I get back down to there and disassemble it.
I plan to insulate the outlet pipes with closed cell foam/neoprene and/or a thick layer of spray foam insulation.
Thanks guys for the tips on caulking material.
And does anyone know if there is a gasket / O-ring between the bulkhead fitting and the outlet pipe?
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 11-9-2011
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I looked on the West Marine site to check out the repair kit that David referred to above. I didn't find it though. David, can you tell us more about
it?
Might be something I want to have on-board.
I doubt that your fitting is installed with either a gasket or an o-ring. It looks like it threads into the tank, and probably has some sealant on the
threads. It may be possible that your fitting isn't cracked (not very possible, but a little...) if so, all you need to do is take it out, put on new
sealant and re-install it.
But given your remote location I would have the West Marine repair kit, some thread sealer, on hand. That way you're covered no matter what you find.
Is loosing the water in the tank a concern? What's your plan for saving the water in the tank? Shift the water to other containers?
I wonder if you could rig up a patch to put into the tank over the threaded fitting?
Once you start removing the fitting, and water begins to leak, something smooth and a bit flexible should seal most of the hole. Be careful if you
have to put your head under water to place the temporary seal in place. You could get pinned in there. Like getting stuck in a pool drain.
What is the diameter of the fitting?
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