Atkinson Tanktop general info & service advice Hi all, we spotted threads on this forum, thought it would be good to create a general thread with some useful advice and service info.
Top off take systems are a bit more complex than standard gravity feed and often certain service aspects are overlooked causing issues down the line....which are then often attributed to the valves themselves.
To my knowledge I don't believe we have actually had a faulty Tanktop valve in itself(10+ years!), the issues are the serviceable parts around them. As standard unless otherwise specified the Atkinson Tanktop units are supplied with 1.7m of suction pipe which we say accommodates for a main tank height of 1.5m - there should always be around 20cm excess of pipe which ensures a loop is created at the bottom and ensures the end of the pipe is submersed in fuel. We also set the anti siphon valve to 150mb as standard which equates to 1.6-1.7m of drop in the line being protected from siphoning. If the main fuel tank is deeper than this then a longer suction hose is required. If the total drop in the line is more than 1.7m then the unit should be calibrated by us upon ordering(the top module can also be sent back for calibration).
The fact they are pulling from the top of the tank and have an anti siphon valve is why usually they will be fitted with the need for a Tigerloop for burners or oil lifters for Aga(wick) type appliances. The resistance of the anti siphon valve is the equivalent of having a lift in the line rather than having a gravity feed, so the burner pumps need to be opened into a 2 pipe system which allows the pumps to have a greater suction. Tigerloops allow for a 2 pipe system to be created without returning to the tank + allow the air(from the oil being in a state of negative pressure) to aspirate from the return loop. Wick fed appliances need gravity feed so an oil lifter would be necessary.
One of the main service issues overlooked will be the floating suction pipe, this is made out of rubber and...
Read more
Atkinson Tanktop general info & service advice to read more on the original thread at Plumbing Advice
See also UK Plumbing Advice for all UK plumbing advice needs.
Top off take systems are a bit more complex than standard gravity feed and often certain service aspects are overlooked causing issues down the line....which are then often attributed to the valves themselves.
To my knowledge I don't believe we have actually had a faulty Tanktop valve in itself(10+ years!), the issues are the serviceable parts around them. As standard unless otherwise specified the Atkinson Tanktop units are supplied with 1.7m of suction pipe which we say accommodates for a main tank height of 1.5m - there should always be around 20cm excess of pipe which ensures a loop is created at the bottom and ensures the end of the pipe is submersed in fuel. We also set the anti siphon valve to 150mb as standard which equates to 1.6-1.7m of drop in the line being protected from siphoning. If the main fuel tank is deeper than this then a longer suction hose is required. If the total drop in the line is more than 1.7m then the unit should be calibrated by us upon ordering(the top module can also be sent back for calibration).
The fact they are pulling from the top of the tank and have an anti siphon valve is why usually they will be fitted with the need for a Tigerloop for burners or oil lifters for Aga(wick) type appliances. The resistance of the anti siphon valve is the equivalent of having a lift in the line rather than having a gravity feed, so the burner pumps need to be opened into a 2 pipe system which allows the pumps to have a greater suction. Tigerloops allow for a 2 pipe system to be created without returning to the tank + allow the air(from the oil being in a state of negative pressure) to aspirate from the return loop. Wick fed appliances need gravity feed so an oil lifter would be necessary.
One of the main service issues overlooked will be the floating suction pipe, this is made out of rubber and...
Read more
Atkinson Tanktop general info & service advice to read more on the original thread at Plumbing Advice
See also UK Plumbing Advice for all UK plumbing advice needs.
