Beta lift pumps

[Steve_N]

Planning my engine replacement (Beta43 arrives Friday ) and just come across this on their website:

"The fuel lift pump will only lift fuel through 0.25m. If this is insufficient then an electric fuel lift pump must be fitted."

I'd have thought that a high proprotion of installations will exceed that figure, mine certainly will, so I'd be interested to hear the experience of Beta owners in this respect.
Thanks.

 

[Leighb]

On my Halmatic the lift required is nearer 1m from the bottom of the tank, the installing engineer advised fitting an electric pump in the fuel line, this has performed faultlessly.

He said he was aware of another local Halmatic/ Beta install where this was not done and the owner had problems which were cured by fitting am electric pump, so that seems to be the solution?

 

[Steve_N]

Thanks for that. I guess my 'lift' is nearer 300-350mm so perhaps the Beta pump will cope. As I'm re-engining for relaibilty I don't really fancy an electric pump and the Facet pumps don't seem to be much better, stating a 300mm 'prime height', so I think I may go the extra mile and fit a day tank above the engine, something I've been thinking about for ages.

 

[macd]

the Facet pumps don't seem to be much better, stating a 300mm 'prime height', so I think.

If it's the Facet 'cube' pumps (which Beta supply), they will lift much better than that. They are, however, intended to be mounted quite low relative to the tank. The accompanying bumf states that they 'push' fuel much better than they 'pull' it.

 

[pvb]

What's the problem with modern lift pumps? My old Volvo 2003T happily sucked the fuel at least a metre up from the keel tank, never a problem. Are you sure the Beta pump won't suck?

 

[Leighb]

What's the problem with modern lift pumps? My old Volvo 2003T happily sucked the fuel at least a metre up from the keel tank, never a problem. Are you sure the Beta pump won't suck?

It definitely has trouble with a metre, might be OK with 300 - 400 mm,

 

[dutyhog]

Our Beta has been lifting more than 500mm, and up to 1 metre, for 9 years or so without aid from an electric pump. Why not try it, and only fit an extra pump if needed? I think that Beta are being very conservative and cautious, perhaps based on experience with a few pumps long ago.