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Old 14-09-2008, 16:36   #1
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Pre-Fuel Filling Filtration.

While I understand the merits of fuel polishing of fuel in the tanks,
IMHO it would make good sense to have an additional fuel filter in place to remove water and debris prior to its delivery into the tank/s. For small fuel volumes there is the hand-held style of filter sold by Racor, but for larger amounts (2000 litres +)there would appear to be no pre-filter device. A standard fuel filter/water separator could presumably be fitted in-line after a small delivery tank and prior to a transfer pump which would be regulated on/off by the fuel in the said delivery tank.
Has anyone seen such a system marketed or made?
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Old 14-09-2008, 17:01   #2
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I think your system would be way to complicated and slow for most boats. We filter our fuel through a Baha Filter at EVERY fill up with no issues and slowing down the fueling only marginally.
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Old 14-09-2008, 17:06   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Baier View Post
I think your system would be way to complicated and slow for most boats. We filter our fuel through a Baha Filter at EVERY fill up with no issues and slowing down the fueling only marginally.
How much "stuff" do you see?

Enough that you do it EVERY fill up huh? Duh on my question.
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Old 14-09-2008, 17:18   #4
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I can't see inside those fuel tanks so we take no chances. Most times there is nothing and sometimes there is lots but you never know which it will be.
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Old 15-09-2008, 04:11   #5
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Agree complicated

I agree it sounds complicated. Could probably use a suitable DC pump to ship the fuel fast enough but maybe difficult to correlate with input pump.
What about some sort of universal filler so dock pump provides the pressure and use hydraulic filters instead of fuel filters which accept pressure OK. Does not separate water out I guess but might help with the "floaties".
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Old 15-09-2008, 04:40   #6
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Every time I filled up, I used a "smart funnel" between tank and pump.

This incoporates a 100 micron filter, and doesnt allow water through.

Never had any problems with clogged systems.

fuel flow rate while filling up was slowed a little, but not a real problem.

Recreational Mobility -- Mr. Funnel 3.5 gal/min.
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Old 15-09-2008, 06:49   #7
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Some of the members (elsewhere if not here) have fitted their own prefiltering or dedicated polishing systems into their fuel systems, using day tanks, gravity feed, or an electric pump with valves for "polishing mode" to the tank without running the engine. The idea is out there & folks are doing it!
Then again, there's always the "baja filter", i.e. a coffee can or pipe fitting with several filters & water absorbent material fitted onto a filter, and used in between the fuel filler and whatever fuel is being poured into the boat. They're even available commercially now from West and all, I think that's what talbot is describing. If nothing else--you can see right away what is being sold to you, and stop the gross contamination before it gets into the boat.
The downside of course is if you are using something like paper toweling in it, disposing of the mess (& fumes) properly before casting off.
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Old 15-09-2008, 07:15   #8
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Most of us have and trust Racor fuel filters on the boat. Racor also make a Baja type filter, several of them actually, in capacities from 2.7 to 15 GPM. I have never used one yet but I will when I start travelling in areas where fuel is likely to be contaminated.
Good luck and clean fuel to you
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Old 15-09-2008, 07:54   #9
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Racor filters and a good polishing system if you have concerns is all you need. Developing , installing and maintaining complicated systems are going to be costly, and when they fail you can't fuel up. So why build a space shuttle when this is just a sailboat. There are already systems available that will take pretty good care of your fuel system and are already proven. I never have understood the need to over engineer a boat and then deal with the consequences later. After 17 years of cruising the simple way has proven over and over again by us and most other cruisers we meet to be the best way.
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