Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 18-04-2012, 15:53   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Boat: Savage Nautilus with Yanmar 2qm15 inboard diesel.
Posts: 156
Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Hello,
I am renovating a boat powered by an inboard Yanmar 2qm15 diesel engine which has a mechanical fuel pump bolted to it. When the engine is fitted to it's bed the fuel pump location is at about floor level.

I am going to fit a 40 Litre S/Steel fuel tank and I'd like to position it towards the back of the boat but don't know if I can have it down low near floor level, or if it needs to be up higher.

The original fuel tank was a 100 litre capacity tank and it was bolted up under the deck in the bow of the boat which meant it was situated about a foot higher than the fuel pump.

My question is - Would the pump still be able to supply sufficient fuel to run the engine if I lowered the postion of the fuel tank to floor level or does it need gravity to help it along?

Thanks,
Bony
bony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-04-2012, 16:09   #2
Registered User
 
Sailmonkey's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

There is no need for gravity to feed the engine that's what the pump is there for. Although that little pump wont pull up more than a few feet (rough guess 3)

But you can add an electric pump and put your fuel tank wherever you want it.
Sailmonkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-04-2012, 05:33   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Boat: Savage Nautilus with Yanmar 2qm15 inboard diesel.
Posts: 156
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Hi Sailmonkey,

The bottom of the new tank will be positioned about the same height as the mechanical fuel pump. The fuel pickup tube exits at the top of the tank so I guess the pump will have to lift the fuel no more than a foot. I'll try it to see how it goes and if there is a problem I'll look at fitting an electric pump, as you suggest. It sure will be good to have the bow area freed up.

Thanks for the advice.
Cheers,
bony
bony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-04-2012, 07:17   #4
Registered User
 
Celestialsailor's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
Images: 5
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

I agree with the above. I installed an electric fuel pump in my system which I run for 30 seconds while I have the glo-plugs on. She starts the first second or two. My tank in in the keel and has to pull at least 3 feet.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
Celestialsailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-04-2012, 18:51   #5
Registered User
 
S/V Alchemy's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

This advice is all good. Id you want to make the system bulletproof, weld a nipple on the bottom of the steel tank (but not the sump, which should be separately plumbed), and run a line into a T-fitting leading from the mechanical pump to the injectors. That way, you can bypass the initial mechanical pump for a gravity feed if the pump either clogs or needs service.

Please note that I don't know your engine's layout specifically, but you can look up "daytank" or "gravity feed tank" to figure out how to rig this if needed.
__________________
Can't sail? Read about our travels at https://alchemyonpassage.blogspot.com/. Can't sleep? Read www.alchemy2009.blogspot.com for fast relief. Can't read? Avoid www.volumesofsalt.blogspot.com, because it's just personal reviews of sea books.
S/V Alchemy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-04-2012, 18:59   #6
Registered User
 
Celestialsailor's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
Images: 5
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

You are not allowed to gravity feed a tank. You are suppose draw from the top. Why not do it like everyone else does?
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
Celestialsailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-04-2012, 19:22   #7
Registered User
 
S/V Alchemy's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Consider it an emergency measure. I have done it with a jerry can on the bridgedeck, a length of fuel-grade hose and an Atomic 4 when the pump gave out. Not ideal, of course, but better than drifting ashore.

Note that I specified a nipple at the bottom of the tank, but not the sump, a "sub-tank" designed to collect goo from diesel and which is away from the pick-up tube.

Daytanks above the engine are not particularly rare, as they contain 10-40 gallons of "post-filter" diesel that is lifted by a separate fuel pump integral to the filter system. The gravity feed, which I agree is not a long-term solution but merely a get-home contingency, is possible with a tank above the level of the injectors.
__________________
Can't sail? Read about our travels at https://alchemyonpassage.blogspot.com/. Can't sleep? Read www.alchemy2009.blogspot.com for fast relief. Can't read? Avoid www.volumesofsalt.blogspot.com, because it's just personal reviews of sea books.
S/V Alchemy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-04-2012, 05:53   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Boat: Savage Nautilus with Yanmar 2qm15 inboard diesel.
Posts: 156
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Thanks everyone for the interesting replies to my question.

My fuel system will have two fuel filters. One primary filter with moisture trap fitted somewhere in the line, and a secondry (Yanmar) filter bolted to the engine. Can you tell me if it is necessary then to have the primary fuel filter lower than the fuel tank? I figure it would need to be lower for the moisture trap to work efficiently, is this so?

bony.
bony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-04-2012, 05:58   #9
Registered User
 
Sailmonkey's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

No need to have it lower, the fuel containing water will be drawn into the filter and then separated there.
Sailmonkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-04-2012, 06:19   #10
Registered User
 
delmarrey's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
Images: 122
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Just to keep it up to date and w/i guidelines>>> §*58.50-10***Diesel fuel tanks. :: PART 58--MAIN AND AUXILIARY MACHINERY AND RELATED SYSTEMS :: CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY :: Title 46 - Shipping :: Code of Federal Regulations :: Regulations :: Law :: Justia
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
delmarrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-04-2012, 08:11   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,944
Images: 7
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Don't know the details on the 2QM, but on the 3GM the installation manual says that if the suction head is greater than 0.8 meters, an extra feed pump should be attached. My boat has the tank in the keel and has an electric feed pump in addition to the mechanical one on the engine.






While probably not a bad idea to follow where you can, this section pertains to inspected vessels.

From: CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY :: Title 46 - Shipping :: Code of Federal Regulations :: Regulations :: Law :: Justia

Subchapter F consists of subparts 50 through 64

Subpart 50.05—Application
top
§ 50.05-1 General.
top
(a) The regulations in this subchapter shall apply to the marine engineering details of installations on vessels required to be inspected and certificated under other subchapters in this chapter as described in §50.01–10.
cal40john is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-04-2012, 08:52   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,156
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

bony, have you considered materials other than stainless for your new tank? My (limited) research on the subject indicates that non-metallic materials like plastic may offer a better solution, due to better resistance to corrosion. And of the metals, aluminum would probably be more cost effective than stainless.
speedoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-04-2012, 06:21   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Boat: Savage Nautilus with Yanmar 2qm15 inboard diesel.
Posts: 156
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Well, thanks again everyone for the great advice. The links to the US regulations proved to be interesting reading and give some good guidelines, but they don't apply here in Australia, I'll have a google for some Aussie regs.

Cal40John,
The suction lift for my system would be nowhere near 0.8m so it should be ok for the 2QM. I'll add an electric pump anyway, just to be on the safe side.

Speedoo,
Thanks for the suggestions on tank material but I already have a S/Steel tank which I bought on Ebay for AU$45, a real bargain because the tank is in almost new condition, it holds 40 Litres or about 10 US gallons, which will be plenty for my needs.

Thanks again to all.

Regards,
Bony.
bony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-04-2012, 06:54   #14
Moderator and Certifiable Refitter
 
Wotname's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: South of 43 S, Australia
Boat: C.L.O.D.
Posts: 20,305
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bony View Post
Well, thanks again everyone for the great advice. The links to the US regulations proved to be interesting reading and give some good guidelines, but they don't apply here in Australia, I'll have a google for some Aussie regs...........
In essence there aren't any.......yet.......that is why it is good place to live
__________________
All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangereous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence
Wotname is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-04-2012, 07:51   #15
Registered User
 
ovrmyhead's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pacific Coast of Mexico
Boat: Union Polaris cutter, 36'
Posts: 80
Re: Fuel Tank Location, need advice.

If installing an electric fuel pump be sure to choose one that will not shut off the supply when it fails. Standard automotive pumps work but most will shut off your fuel when they lose power or fail.
ovrmyhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fuel, fuel tank

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:10.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.