Coddy Posted December 20, 2008 Report Share Posted December 20, 2008 Hi all As some might know I have got a bit of a fuel leak which I am trying to sort out, now I have twin fuel tanks one each side of the boat which are joined to gether by a hose and a drain tap in the middle, my question is should I fit one shut off valve between the tanks, fit two shut off valves with a drain off valve or leave it whole so it balances out, fuel level wise? Any thoughts for the best method would be appreciated. Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Dave, not having any knowledge on this subject I would have thought that there are no-doubt a few things to consider!!!!! Top of my head: If you are wanting to balance weight then linked tanks would be the way forward. If you want to have seperate supplies in-case one gets water ingress or leaks then no. Perhaps you could have best of both with 2 feeds to the fuel seperator and a link pipe between the tanks with a shut off valve. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Hi Dave The best way is to have the two tanks with valves fitted at the tank so that the levelling/drain line can be closed As Rob says this would allow you to isolate a tank in case of a contamination or leak. However what you need to establish is where your supply and spill return are connected. and if they can be directed to ether tank. A diesel takes a supply from the tank, uses some of it to power the engine and some to lubricate and cool fuel pumps etc, this second portion then returns [More than most people think] to the tank. With a permenently open balance line no problem. Closing the balance line, not much of a problem, reduces fuel available by half all fuel used from one side so boat lists. Close the balance line suck from 1 side and return to the other Big Problem. empties one tank much faster than you think while returning to the other tank and overflowing overboard. We had this situation with a large motor sailor at work. very light winds so he fueled tanks to Full in Dartmouth, then set off motoring to Pool, supply from stbd, return to Port tank. balance line had been closed. Boat engine stopped at St albans race in very bad seas, lifeboat called and towed to Swanage, a long slow tow in the dark. 2 days later a fishing boat towed boat back to PYC marina.[ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted December 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 Thanks Charlie for the info Been working on the boat for the last couple of days and I think I have found the leak. The fuel return feed hose to the tank had a bulge and looked like it was leaking but it involved removing the Port tank which also involved a bit of wood work modifications to get it out. I also managed to measure the tank so I now know approx how much it holds in fuel, so I will be able to work out fuel consumption better. Just got to replace the balance pipe and fit a valve between them, then it is a wood work rebuild and then start on the other side to replace the other end of the balance pipe. Oh well what else could I be doing? ..................... what is a fish? what is it like to have your line tugged? Owning a boat is great fun! Happy New Year all Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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