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Leaking manway - need some suggestions
I just purchased 4 tanks from PBST and 3 of them are exhibiting leaking. Sometimes they're fine. Othertimes, they're fine initially and then (usually overnight when no one is around to notice!) they'll allow a steady trickle to stream out.
The only thing I can think of is they need a stiffer/fatter gasket. The backpressure when we void the tank of sani (this is after tightening the manway) is enough to pop the gasket off of the door! Never saw that happen. This leads me to believe the gasket isn't seating correctly even though we've installed it right - perhaps even tightening the door is causing it to shift in a way that compromises its ability to hold true. We've even tried tightening extra tight by inserting some pipes onto each handle for added leverage - this actually makes the problem worse most times.
Often the leak will occur right away. So we then need to transfer the wort to an open tank, shift the damn gasket around, retransfer back to the original FV and pray. This usually works and I believe it is because there never is any reverse pressure being applied to the door.
I will say one thing that is less than funny is trying to get a Chinese fabricator's rep to diagnose or even help with the issue. Good luck with that! You better believe you get what you pay for...
Any other theories or does this make sense?
The only thing I can think of is they need a stiffer/fatter gasket. The backpressure when we void the tank of sani (this is after tightening the manway) is enough to pop the gasket off of the door! Never saw that happen. This leads me to believe the gasket isn't seating correctly even though we've installed it right - perhaps even tightening the door is causing it to shift in a way that compromises its ability to hold true. We've even tried tightening extra tight by inserting some pipes onto each handle for added leverage - this actually makes the problem worse most times.
Often the leak will occur right away. So we then need to transfer the wort to an open tank, shift the damn gasket around, retransfer back to the original FV and pray. This usually works and I believe it is because there never is any reverse pressure being applied to the door.
I will say one thing that is less than funny is trying to get a Chinese fabricator's rep to diagnose or even help with the issue. Good luck with that! You better believe you get what you pay for...
Any other theories or does this make sense?
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