Box Truck or Enclosed Trailer Sealed Tank System...No More Fumes!

PeakOfPerfection

New member
So, when I decided to build a box truck based roof cleaning rig, the one thing that I was warned about by the old timers is that the Chem would eventually rot the box out. Even using coatings, it was still a significant problem. Then, one day I was getting a 300 Gallon fuel delivery on a job site for one of my machines (one of my other companies) and as the fuel truck was hooking up to the fuel tank, I was looking at the rig and seeing the external fill ports for the fuel tanks onboard. Then it struck me...if they can do that, why can't I?

So...I have now designed and built a box truck rig with all external tank fills and vents. This is how it was done...

First, the tanks. In order for this to work, the tanks would have to omit the normal man way hatch on the top. Problem is, 99% of the tanks out there have that. But as I was going through the different catalogs and websites, I stumbled across Tote A Lube Tanks and browsing their website, realized they make stacking tanks without the man way cover! So...a 65 Gal and a 125 Gal tank were ordered. Along with a 265 Gal IBC, that makes up the tanks on the truck. Because the truck is square and the tanks are square, it all fits in perfectly.

IMG_2295_zpszj4ebvwz.jpg

Tote A Lube 125 Gal Tank.

IMG_2294_zpsfb3r34lx.jpg

SH Storage and Roof Mix Tanks.

Now came time for plumbing. Each tank gets its own vent so no cross contamination happens. One vent has a quick connect and valve plumbed in in order to evacuate the tank using the onboard roof pump if needed. Each tank also has a fill line with a chem appropriate backflow check valve. The top SH Storage tank is plumbed into the bottom tank with a valve. To transfer 12.5% SH into the mix tank, all the crew needs to do is open a valve. The IBC tank is filled from the other side of the truck. The fill line runs into a 3 way valve which allow the incoming water supply to be routed to either the tank or to an onboard 120V electric booster pump we use to rinse roofs. An external electric outlet allows a quick plug into the truck and pump.

IMG_2369_zpsz1mu4x7n.jpg

Tank plumbing being mocked up. I eventually went with Schedule 80 for the chem fill line to further improve the strength and chem resistance.

IMG_0088_zpsl3mbg83f.jpg

External fill connections for Mix tank water and SH. Cam lock connectors allow for quick hose hookup. A back flow check valve keeps most of the SH in the fill line if the crew forgets to flush the line.

IMG_0089_zps9a1tose9.jpg

Buffer tank fill line. The PVC pipe is for the tank dump.

IMG_0196_zpshdmr5kgl.jpg

The Truck as it sits now. 12 Volt distribution system with a battery isolator/charging system, master battery cut off switch, fuel gauges for the diesel and gas tanks. The fuel tanks also have external fills and venting. The small 1/4" air pump up top will serve to pump in the Surfactant into the SH tank for making roof mixes. Since I buy/sell/rebuild Air Diaphragm Pumps, I have a plethora of pumps going onto this truck.

The small 1/2" feed line from the SH storage tank was going to feed the DS injector on the pump...but I am concerned about it going that far and not having enough draw. So, some small 5 Gallon flat back cone bottom tanks were ordered which will be mounted on the wall above the power washer. I'll use another 1/4" air pump to pump SH into the DS tank from the onboard 12.5% SH storage and we'll just pour the surfactant into it's own tank. Valves on the bottom of the tank into a Tee will allow me to switch between surfactant, SH or both. I might add another tank or two for degreaser/acid/etc. These tanks are a GREAT find by the way for anybody who doesn't want to have buckets on the truck to draw from. They have screw mounts on the back and I'll build a mounting plate for them and screw the mounting plate onto the trailer wall and just screw a valve onto the bottom of each one. There is also a feed coming off the 1.5" water line running to the pressure washer from the main tank which allows me to run fresh water through the DS line to flush things. They are only $52 each from Tank-Depot. I plan to seal the vented cover on the SH tank, install fill and vent ports and vent it externally as well to keep the fumes out.

A-SP0005-SQ5_BIG.jpg



The past few days, I've been driving the truck around to job sites for my other company with 1/2 full water tanks and 3/4 full fuel tanks to test all the connections. Thus far, even with a panic stop (IDIOT!) everything is leak free and no fuel fumes at all. Next step is the air screw compressor and the exhaust for the Dragon, plus a lot of reels.

Hopefully this helps guys who are trying to build a roof cleaning rig on a box truck or trailer...or you are starting to see rust, or you are sick of getting gassed out inside your truck.
 
Very nice... Great job!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us updated with the progress and can we have a first name???

Mike
 
Very nice... Great job!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us updated with the progress and can we have a first name???

Mike

Mike, this is Kevin Enderle. I am reasonably active on the Facebook Powerwash forum and one of the Mods at the RCIA Roof cleaning forum.mlot of folks also know my Pump Man Air Diaphragm pump business. I will add my name to the Sig.
 
Thanks Kevin. I admire your set-up. Very well thought out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike
 
Tank depot


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk George Pompano
 
So, when I decided to build a box truck based roof cleaning rig, the one thing that I was warned about by the old timers is that the Chem would eventually rot the box out. Even using coatings, it was still a significant problem. Then, one day I was getting a 300 Gallon fuel delivery on a job site for one of my machines (one of my other companies) and as the fuel truck was hooking up to the fuel tank, I was looking at the rig and seeing the external fill ports for the fuel tanks onboard. Then it struck me...if they can do that, why can't I?

So...I have now designed and built a box truck rig with all external tank fills and vents. This is how it was done...

First, the tanks. In order for this to work, the tanks would have to omit the normal man way hatch on the top. Problem is, 99% of the tanks out there have that. But as I was going through the different catalogs and websites, I stumbled across Tote A Lube Tanks and browsing their website, realized they make stacking tanks without the man way cover! So...a 65 Gal and a 125 Gal tank were ordered. Along with a 265 Gal IBC, that makes up the tanks on the truck. Because the truck is square and the tanks are square, it all fits in perfectly.

IMG_2295_zpszj4ebvwz.jpg

Tote A Lube 125 Gal Tank.

IMG_2294_zpsfb3r34lx.jpg

SH Storage and Roof Mix Tanks.

Now came time for plumbing. Each tank gets its own vent so no cross contamination happens. One vent has a quick connect and valve plumbed in in order to evacuate the tank using the onboard roof pump if needed. Each tank also has a fill line with a chem appropriate backflow check valve. The top SH Storage tank is plumbed into the bottom tank with a valve. To transfer 12.5% SH into the mix tank, all the crew needs to do is open a valve. The IBC tank is filled from the other side of the truck. The fill line runs into a 3 way valve which allow the incoming water supply to be routed to either the tank or to an onboard 120V electric booster pump we use to rinse roofs. An external electric outlet allows a quick plug into the truck and pump.

IMG_2369_zpsz1mu4x7n.jpg

Tank plumbing being mocked up. I eventually went with Schedule 80 for the chem fill line to further improve the strength and chem resistance.

IMG_0088_zpsl3mbg83f.jpg

External fill connections for Mix tank water and SH. Cam lock connectors allow for quick hose hookup. A back flow check valve keeps most of the SH in the fill line if the crew forgets to flush the line.

IMG_0089_zps9a1tose9.jpg

Buffer tank fill line. The PVC pipe is for the tank dump.

IMG_0196_zpshdmr5kgl.jpg

The Truck as it sits now. 12 Volt distribution system with a battery isolator/charging system, master battery cut off switch, fuel gauges for the diesel and gas tanks. The fuel tanks also have external fills and venting. The small 1/4" air pump up top will serve to pump in the Surfactant into the SH tank for making roof mixes. Since I buy/sell/rebuild Air Diaphragm Pumps, I have a plethora of pumps going onto this truck.

The small 1/2" feed line from the SH storage tank was going to feed the DS injector on the pump...but I am concerned about it going that far and not having enough draw. So, some small 5 Gallon flat back cone bottom tanks were ordered which will be mounted on the wall above the power washer. I'll use another 1/4" air pump to pump SH into the DS tank from the onboard 12.5% SH storage and we'll just pour the surfactant into it's own tank. Valves on the bottom of the tank into a Tee will allow me to switch between surfactant, SH or both. I might add another tank or two for degreaser/acid/etc. These tanks are a GREAT find by the way for anybody who doesn't want to have buckets on the truck to draw from. They have screw mounts on the back and I'll build a mounting plate for them and screw the mounting plate onto the trailer wall and just screw a valve onto the bottom of each one. There is also a feed coming off the 1.5" water line running to the pressure washer from the main tank which allows me to run fresh water through the DS line to flush things. They are only $52 each from Tank-Depot. I plan to seal the vented cover on the SH tank, install fill and vent ports and vent it externally as well to keep the fumes out.

A-SP0005-SQ5_BIG.jpg



The past few days, I've been driving the truck around to job sites for my other company with 1/2 full water tanks and 3/4 full fuel tanks to test all the connections. Thus far, even with a panic stop (IDIOT!) everything is leak free and no fuel fumes at all. Next step is the air screw compressor and the exhaust for the Dragon, plus a lot of reels.

Hopefully this helps guys who are trying to build a roof cleaning rig on a box truck or trailer...or you are starting to see rust, or you are sick of getting gassed out inside your truck.
uploadfromtaptalk1449554149295.jpg
Very nice... Great job!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us updated with the progress and can we have a first name???

Mike


Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
I there any chance that you can re-host the photos? It appears that they do not show up because of a host sharing issue.

I came across your build while doing research to get ideas for setting up an NPR box truck that I will be moving my business into over the winter months.

Thank you for sharing!

Sean
 
Is Kevin still around? I know he disappeared off of Facebook for a while.
 
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