----- Original Message -----
From: Thataway@aol.com

nip

with

Hi Bob,

I just did a couple of searches on Soltron with my new meta-search toy.

On Usenet there was one thread from last April on uk.rec.waterways looking
for info on the product but no one had used it. The thread evolved into a
discussion about filters, polishing, and housekeeping that was very similar
to threads here on TWL.

On the web it was mostly advertising, but there was also some evidence of a
trade name dispute reminiscent of a certain magnetic device that will remain
unnamed.

The manufacturer claims benefits for fuels from gasoline to heavy bunker oil
but only seems to provide documentation for gasoline applications.

About your friend's situation: A physical tank cleaning would be more of a
sure thing to fix the problem. That said, I'd be very tempted to try the
Soltron for two reasons:

1. The tank is small. The recommended dosage for a 50 gallon tank would cost
   US$2.00 at most.

2. The way you describe it, the tank is not very accessible which implies
   that a physical cleaning would be a lot of work, a lot of money, or both.

Since there doesn't seem to be much experience with this product my
recommendation would be to try the stuff but to do so skeptically. By this I
mean that he should actively monitor the results to include making the tank
in question become the primary tank rather than "ballast" and to watch his
fuel filters closely until he is satisfied that the product either works or
doesn't.

You may be aware from some of my past posts that I tend to think that fuel
additives aren't very valuable in most applications. Enzyme technology may
(or may not) be an exception. Enzymes have been made to do some pretty cool
stuff in recent years such as color safe bleach and a product to remove pet
odors from wood. If enzymes can eat stains out of fabric and cat urine out
of my sub-floor (long story) maybe they can eat sludge out of a fuel tank.

If your friend decides to use Soltron please let us know how it works.

Skeptically (but not cynically) yours,

Alex

I know nothing about SOLTON, but I doubt any "pour-in" solution will help in
his situation.  The sudden appearance of his problem is almost common.  I
suspect that it is different than bacteria growing and causing an immediate
problem.  It sounds like a problem of the accumulated soup at the bottom of
the tank finally taking charge.  Most of that stuff must be removed
one-way-or-the-other.  Its my experience that once this type problem starts,
it doesn't go away.  At best, a pour-in solution can be relied on to prevent
some set of problems -- it can't remove the crud that has died or settled
out.  Even if a pour-in solution could "eat" the stuff, the waste product
from the eater would remain.

It is truly amazing how much stuff can be at the bottom of a fuel tank, and
what its consistency is.  The stuff in mine looked like black sand.  Mr.
Krogen provided wonderful manholes in my tanks, and I was able to get to all
the tank with a shovel.  Lacking that, I'm afraid that the stuff must be
removed by flowing the diesel through a filter(s).  That work can be hired.
I have never done it, but the reports I have received don't give it high
praise.

One big problem is that the contents of the tank need to be stirred up so
the crud will go into solution long enough to flow to the filtering system.
I suspect a compressed air rig would be fitted to stir up the fuel in the
tank.

Another big problem is the enormous number of filter elements needed.  Just
consider that there may be five gallons of solids at the bottom of the tank.
If a Racor type filter were used for this purpose, their cost would likely
be enough to replace the boat.

If physical access to the inside of the tanks is impossible, I see only two
practical solutions.

1. install a GCF F-1 fuel filter with a vacuum gauge piped in parallel
   with the existing filter, and buy a two cases of Bounty paper towels.
   Watch the gauge carefully and change the filter when indicated.
   This will keep the vessel running with clean fuel to the engine, but it will
   not clean up the tank.  It will keep the element cost down because of the
   great capacity of the F-1 and the low cost of the paper towels.  The element
   cost will continue because the tank won't get cleaned up.

2. Bite the bullet and install a full polishing system, but still buy two
   cases of Bounty paper towels.  This will also keep the engine running and in
   time, will clean up the tank.  The filter element cost will become almost
   zero.

When this kind of problem come up, it ain't easy.  Wish your friend Good
Luck for me.

CaptnWil, Ret
40 Pier Pointe
New Bern NC 28562
(252) 636-3601
captnwil@coastalnet.com

[SNIP]

crud.

with