Flexible fuel bladder 'range extension' installation down below. Lifeboat Conversion Ep83 [4K]

[@revtoyota]

WOW.. The rare double showing today. Nice.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Who needs sleep anyway!

[@revtoyota]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals I hear you man. I'm a boat captain in Alaska and fishing season just started. I will not feel the sweet embrace of my bed for months.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Safe travels!

[@revtoyota]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals And to you a well. Keep up the great work .

[@gafrers]

To store the empty bladder and to add general support some Thick cargo netting. Like the military ones used for air-cargo crates.

[@lucusloc]

Those bolts at 5:06 in the bottom left of the frame make me nervous. I have no idea if they are actually a problem, but I would cover them with something to keep them from rubbing against the bag (even if they are out of the way now things can shift. Better have everything around the bag sorted than find out mid trip that the bag shifted into something abrasive). As for containing the bag, I think a bit of nylon webbing, ratchet straps or even just a few bungee cords would sort the issue. They can hold the bladder to it's confined space and be removable for later. Just string them from the top frame to the bottom and let the bladder sit in its spot like a taco until its filled up. As a bonus all these options should be adjustable in case you need to change things between the bladder being full and empty. And as a bonus bonus all these options are extremely useful to have around for other tasks when the bladder is in a bag in a locker somewhere. Ratchet straps are especially versatile as they can be used as makeshift vices, railing, hold-downs and all kinds of other things. I keep a bunch in my vehicles and around my shop and I constantly find uses for them.

[@smokinlouie9885]

The absorbing pads will fix that.

[@Mrshotshell]

I would add some protection over the bolt ends sticking out on the front and back left corners of the frame next to the bladder. If the protective mat off cuts are big enough covering the sides is probably also a good idea. To keep the empty bladder from sticking into the walk way I would use a piece of netting anchored at the bottom, with clips of some sort along the top to hold it in while allowing easy access and still being able to see the bladder at all times.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Oui

[@martinu2725]

Could you paint on some of the dip rubber handle coating you have over the nuts to cover them, now you have opted to go for the shrink fit covering.

[@wasabij]

​​@@AlexHibbertOriginals ​​​​​@Alex Hibbert Originals I think boxing it in is the best choice with maybe clear plastic if you want to keep an eye on them. Keeps dropped items from falling into the compartment, potentially working underneath the bladder when you didn't see it. For protection against those exposed bolts, and keeping the bladder constrained when being positioned and inspected, you could cut rubber foam blocks to fill the inside edges to whatever height, or bolt rubber mats a few inches up the vertical members with flush fitting bolts and smooth washers, capping the hardware in plastic. Sort of creating a rubber hammock or bowl to set the bladder inside.

[@LukaArtelj]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals you had 3 year to buil Alan, but nooooo. Lets rush and do most of the work at the end and rush, cut corner, make mistakes.... ¡d¡0t

[@PsRohrbaugh]

Two videos in one day? What a treat 😁

[@TBS8431]

It's all getting very exciting now! Can't wait to see you both out on the water!

[@yamilcoloma6677]

love the rapid fire updates

[@alanmahaffey3265]

Very glad to buy Alan a pint or 2. (Many of my friends have said that an almost imperceptible shrug is about all you can hope for when dealing with an Alan. As I have watched these videos, I have wondered how many regular viewers stumbled across the series and then had to watch just because the little orange boat is named Alan?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Alan thanks Alan. Cheers.

[@HelderLouro-sl5fb]

As far as the nooks and crannies I would recommend an oil/fuel absorption pig mat. It comes in sheets so you can put in as much or as little that you would need. Also, you can get the variety that won’t absorb water, only oil/fuel.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yeah I have lots of the mats. Thinking the socks would stuff in neatly. We'll see.

[@Space_Reptile]

you can fill the empty bladder w/ air to keep it nice and bladder shaped oh and others already mentioned the bolts at/around the 5 minute mark, and yea those would need some capping off to not poke into an inflated bladder

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I like this.

[@mcpa2991]

Would you then need to do something vent-like to allow the air to be displaced when filling? You could also use an elastic cargo net that is loose/weak enough that it doesnt apply too much force when fully filled but that still keeps the emptied bladder constrained

[@greylocke100]

It might not be an issue now, however once you get out in the open water, you may have an issue with all of those exposed bolt ends next to the bladder in the corners. There are small rubber covers you can get for them that aren't that expensive, but can be a pain to locate, or you can just do what a friend does and put a dollop of silicone caulk on the ends. He then wets his fingers and shapes the dollops into caps that can be unscrewed from the bolt and slid back on easily if needed. But they stay on really good and keep sharp corners from wearing holes in things.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I do have a tub of 6, 8 and 10mm PVC caps. I'll get on it.

[@ThePaulv12]

Re the empty bladder, rubber stores sell this full on self adhesive Velcro in various widths. It comes on a large roll and they just cut off the length you want. That might do the trick. When the bladder is empty just push it on to the pre laid out strips. It's pretty cheap, the self adhesive is really good and the Velcro is ferocious in its tenacity if kept dry - so much so it can often out pull the self adhesiveness if you don't carefully peel it off. IIRC, a couple of years back 1m cost me $15 for the two required pieces.

[@mattiasandersson5027]

The weight of diesel is less than water, its about 0.8kg /L. So with that 400L bladder you should look at about 320kg, plus a bit for straps and the actual bladder. Not much of a difference, but worth taking in account due to Alans stability since the bladder will be placed above the ballast. Makes it easier for you to calculate stability when adding gear and other stuff :)

[@-RyN-23]

Yeah I was thanking her could place another bladder with it some way to fill with salt water if need as the fuel gets really low to help keep the stability if he's gona use the fuel as part of the stability given its going to affect it in some way but still Alan was ment to hold alot of weight in people so should be fine given it'll be lighter than built to handle as an emergency vessel

[@HDSME]

Excellent idea Alex Bravo!

[@VinceW187]

Getting so close!!!! Maybe just before Alan goes in the water or before set of a tour would be nice

[@michaelyoung7261]

Getting super close!

[@tashuawheeler1834]

If I Have One RV That's Just My Bedroom/Walk-In For Clothes and A Toilet/Tub/Sink One RV For My Bookroom/TV Room/Food Storage/Toilet/Sink/Day-Bed and Put The Two RVs Inside Of A Moveable/Floatable Off-Grid 150 Enclosed Liveaboard Lifeboat Tiny Home With A Nice Indoor Playground/A Fireplace To Brun Trash and Wood For Warmth/A Place To Cook/A Place To Get/Hold Rain Water For Use In Everything/Mudroom/CCTV To Look Outside In Safety From Harm Of Bad People OR Storms +I Love YA KZbin A Lot

[@greentree180]

It's getting exciting.

[@christophersherratt7299]

Alex you should not have cut that bladder mat don't think you have thought about them Nuts And Bolts on the frame work in rough water there's a good possibility that they will puncture the Bladder get some high dance foam wrap it with left over mat gaffer tape over the bolts

[@MegaReception1]

You can turn that fuel bladder into a air bladder and it should give you about 1/2 a ton of lift in case of a emergency. Greetings from Panama.

[@MaxMakerChannel]

No need to treat the fuel. It will still work after years. Especially if you mix it with more fresh stuff.

[@simbry49]

As others have mentioned, a cargo net could be hung across the opening to keep the bladder out of the walkway. U.S. Amazon has a cargo net made of flat straps meant for pick-up truck tailgates that is the same shape and size as the openings you are concerned with.

[@alan-sk7ky]

Netting to keep it under control, the bladder that is.

[@pontuswendt2486]

AMAZINGNES!!!

[@Leightr]

Can hardly wait. Enough in the kitty for odds and sods?

[@jillwase6116]

You have my attention. Like the videos.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers

[@vermeerasia]

The bladder needs to be contained, certainly. I'd hard-box it in on the sides at least, with cargo netting fore/aft. Having 700 lbs of flex tank rolling uncontrolled in a seaway sounds horrific and that thing might be surprisingly difficult to keep in place without walls.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

It's possibly the case, although the strap downs are very heavy duty. An advantage is that there's no air in there when there's fuel, so no slosh.

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

Put the bladder in a kiddie pool- serves two purposes: keeps it within the confines, will contain spills.

[@motoflyte]

I'd make sure you cover up any sharp edges around the bladder, otherwise it will get pierced during movement

[@salamander5703]

Suggest you put a bit of grease or Copperslip on those screws going into the Rivnuts. I've used them in the past and, if you need to get them undone, with a bit of corrosion sometimes the screw sticks in the Rivnut better than the Rivnut sticks in the frame and the Rivnut spins and they are a pain to get out...

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Thanks. They are 316 SS riv nuts, but we'll see!

[@FirstNameLastName-ti4nc]

Could you fill the bladder with air when not in use

[@lewisf1988]

i live right next to stonehaven, will you be sharing your plans so i could pop past to see alan and yourself? cheers

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Hi Lewis. It's likely I'll be basing Alan there for a few days. Maybe you can come and visit!

[@lewisf1988]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals that would be awesome! what dates are you looking at? Stonehaven's a beautiful wee place! couple nice pubs right at the harbour!

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Very much TBC. Send an email and I can update nearer the time.

[@r-urbex1611]

I'd try a bit of cargo net to keep the bladder under control

[@The_Duck_Pond]

Why not some type of cargo netting? … would allow air flow in addition for dust and grime to accumulate where the Hoover extension arm can quickly sweep up.

[@GarrettDevitt]

How about 3 or 4 ratchet straps tied around the metal box, basically forming a fence on 4 sides but easily removable, and a few spare straps are always handy.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yeah that would work - trying to think of a solution that would solve multiple problems, or doesn't use a load of straps. Will muse on...

[@ojagodzinski]

Constant rubbing of the bladder against sharp metal elements is not a problem?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Where is that happening?

[@zolar7a]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Maybe its the camera angles but it looks like you have several bolt ends protruding into the fuel bladder space.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Oh, those. Well. They are a few inches below the bottom of the bladder, and outside of its perimeter. But, fair. I can easily pop some rubber caps on the bolt ends.

[@matthewwakeham2206]

Definitely don't rub your bladder on sharp objects.

[@Invinciblemoam]

As for bladder/walkway issue, could you inflate slightly with air so it takes shape a bit better?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Air seems to be the winner

[@jackfntwist]

"Explody" - 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LBJHJP50]

Can you run a strap around it. Parallel to the ground?

[@matthewwakeham2206]

What load can those rivnuts take? Not sure I'd trust one where two would be sufficient.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Load for shear or 'ripout' of the threads? High, I'd wager. A snapping force, probably not, but that's not likely.

[@JTFun]

Are you worried at all about the exposed bolts rubbing against the bladder?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I have caps for bolt ends.

[@JTFun]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Fantastic! That's what I hoped you would say! :)

[@MCallsen]

Do you have a link to the bladder or its (smaller) cousins? I need to bypass my beloved diesel-pest on my steel boat :P

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

atlinc.com/rangeextender.html

[@MCallsen]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Thanks a lot :)

[@outlawflyer7868]

What pla. Do you have to cover all those bolts? I wouldn't use those pads to just cover those bolts. You puncture those pads, then they become useless, and whatever is inside them will come out, and then you have a real mess on your hands out at sea, perhaps. You can get rubber bolt end caps for cheap. Then add 1/2 thick rubber strips around the base of the frame. As far as securing the bag from sticking out. Perhaps an elastic rope and just wrap it around the legs to make a barrier. Food for thought. Good luck. Dont over engineer....

[@festusbojangles7027]

this fire hazard will never pass inspection

[@benderbender1233]

✌😎✌

[@Ruairi.C]

Maybe I'm just a novice, I know I'm not an expert. But I really hate the use of useless ballast, as in pure dead weight. Any ballast I ever added to my boat had a secondary use, such as ancor chain or line, or even drinking water etc. Just something that isn't just pure weight. Anyone else agree?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Well, there's a limit to how much heavy 'useful' stuff you can have onboard. I don't need 500kg of anchor chain. And water isn't very dense.