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kmacdonald · 24-10-2016, 21:20

Weavis, are the filters on the ground pumping fuel out of the storage tanks into day tanks or are they polishing the storage tank? Did they take on bad fuel and that is a one time solution to use it up?

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Weavis, are the filters on the ground pumping fuel out of the storage tanks into day tanks or are they polishing the storage tank? Did they take on bad fuel and that is a one time solution to use it up?

This train carries 10,000 gallons of fuel on board and – with a busy schedule – fills its tanks every other day. But, because the schedule is fluid and sends the unit all over the country, it doesn’t always get to fill from “known” locations. They fill up when they can, where they need to. The problem for these guys was that they could only run about 5 hours before they plugged up their filter.

The entire fuel was filtered and polished. They train company is now installing fuel polishers.

Fuel is only as good as its manufacture.

I have 4 diesel cars. Last year we got bad fuel in one. $2100 later it works again. Lots of issues from that incident.

Dont want that issue 40 miles offshore.

For all the people who have no issues with their diesel, thats how its supposed to be. I filled up with bad diesel once and had it pumped off the boat and put through a friends polisher and he pumped clean diesel back to me... was only about 65 gallons. HAd to change all the filters and I hand cleaned the tank (35 gallon capacity) and cleaned out the 30 gallon storage tank) which was a bit claggy. I dont use bio cleaners. Had some issues in the past...

Dirty fuel is becoming more common in some countries of manufacture. Protection is of the essence.

Fuel polishing is the best.

kmacdonald · 24-10-2016, 22:00

The reason I asked about the above situation is that the filter equipment looked new and might have been purchased for a single incident. I'm sure it's possible to get bad fuel from the pump but in the US I bet it's not common. Best to buy fuel from a high turnover facility.
I wonder if a smaller day tank that is filled from the main tank thru a filter would be a better solution.
There is a commuter train station near me that I might go check out. I think they have their own diesel tanks there and would guess that they filter it at the pump. I'm sure they have a little more control of the fuel supply since they only fill up at that one yard.

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

The reason I asked about the above situation is that the filter equipment looked new and might have been purchased for a single incident. I'm sure it's possible to get bad fuel from the pump but in the US I bet it's not common. Best to buy fuel from a high turnover facility.
I wonder if a smaller day tank that is filled from the main tank thru a filter would be a better solution.
There is a commuter train station near me that I might go check out. I think they have their own diesel tanks there and would guess that they filter it at the pump. I'm sure they have a little more control of the fuel supply since they only fill up at that one yard.

Im failing to see the reluctance to protect via fuel polisher. Fuel problems both diesel and petrol and more common that you think. Here in Europe in some countries it can be a huge problem.

Fuel polishers work. They keep the fuel in pristine condition and prevent tank fouling.

If a person does not want a unit then dont get one. For those that have one they would not be without.

My sources of diesel here in Spain are usually good.... but not always.

kmacdonald · 24-10-2016, 22:20

The reluctance is cost, space, weight, energy consumption (electric pump), complexity.
With good fuel management polishing should not be necessary. I don't like to knee jerk into unnecessary solutions when simpler options exist.

kmacdonald · 24-10-2016, 22:25

Weavis, that looks like an old train. I wonder why they just now came to the conclusion that they need a fuel polishing system.
One of you posts showed dyed diesel in jars. Does Spain dye commercial non-taxed fuel like in the US?

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Weavis, that looks like an old train. I wonder why they just now came to the conclusion that they need a fuel polishing system.
One of you posts showed dyed diesel in jars. Does Spain dye commercial non-taxed fuel like in the US?

It does but the photo I sent was from the USA.

You only have a small boat. I have a Westerly Centaur in the UK and buy from a known source. If I was in a Larger vessel and traveled more, Id get one.

I do have the luxury of friends with polishers who can help if trouble arises.

Im currently pricing a smaller unit to use externally and pump into the tank on board. BUt right now my diesel sources are fine.

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Weavis, that looks like an old train. I wonder why they just now came to the conclusion that they need a fuel polishing system.

$35K a day in fines if do not complete the run.

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 22:42

You only need one good incident with diesel fuel issues to realise that fixing the problem at source IS the easiest solution.

kenomac and noelex and other long distance cruisers obviated their potential disasters, and maximised maintenance of their larger vessels by having polishers. I really dont care when people tell me that they have 30 years of not using one and the boat is fine, because that is how its supposed to be. The problem is when it is not like that.

Ive had it not like that.

I didnt like it.

kmacdonald · 24-10-2016, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by weavis

$35K a day in fines if do not complete the run.

In a case like that a fuel polishing system would be a necessity IMHO.

captain58sailin · 24-10-2016, 22:49

The centrifuge came from Diesel Craft, I found them on the internet. Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering
My particular philosophy is to clean the fuel with a baja filter when receiving and then purify it as much as possible before it goes to the filters and then on to the engines. I use water cut whenever I stick my tanks before receiving fuel and have gotten no indication of any water in my tanks, there was some residual black crap that has been filtered out by the centrifuge, and no longer shows up, so only clean fuel gets circulated back to the tanks. I am absolutely paranoid about my fuel and go to extremes to see that I never have a fuel related failure, all my fittings are JIC hydraulic and my hoses are 1 wire hydraulic, I don't have air leaks and I don't have any unexpected failures. The places I go, which include crossing the Columbia river bar, and the different rip tide areas of Alaska, demand that I be careful if I want to live.

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

I am absolutely paranoid about my fuel and go to extremes to see that I never have a fuel related failure, .

+1

**weavis** · 24-10-2016, 22:54

If I recall, kenomac has 2 polisher systems on his boat. Made me laugh at first but if have the space and the cash, why not?

Redundancy is a good thing..

captain58sailin · 24-10-2016, 23:05

If you consider the cost offset, the centrifuge was $750 USD, and Racors run about $9 USD depending on where you get them, I've seen them as high as $15 USD in the US, I've replaced one Racor with the centrifuge in place and it wasn't needed, I just did it as a preventive measure as we were going a good ways offshore with no company. When I brought the boat to Homer from Sitka, I went through a dozen filters on the way and experienced engine shut downs due to filter clogging. It doesn't take long to recoup the cost of the unit, in filters not being used and less wear and tear on the engine and injector system, due to clean fuel. It is well worth it to me.