Eberspacher fuel line - copper or plastic?

[Ben998]

Hi All,
Another Eberspacher question, sorry! Ive read through a few of the historical posts, but I haven't found a definitive answer.

Im going to fit an Eberspacher heater in the boat, but should I be using copper fuel pipe between the fuel tank and the fuel pump, and the fuel pump and the heater in order to be compliant with any boating regulations?

It would appear from the instruction manual that the internal diameter of the fuel line between the pump and the heater is 1.5mm, and the internal diameter between the fuel tank take off (2mm internal diameter) and the fuel pump is a maximum of 5mm if the fuel pump is level with the bottom of the fuel tank, but the instructions don't state if there is a max internal diameter if the pump is mounted up to a maximum of 1m above the bottom of the fuel tank (hope that makes sense), they just state Fuel Plastic Pipe. Im assuming that this has to be no more than 5mm internal diameter as well, whether its copper or rubber/plastic?

cheers,
Ben

 

[Anwen]

When you buy a kit from Eberspacher, they supply small bore copper pipe for the fuel connections between tank and pump, and pump and heater. I expect that Espar would be able to supply the right stuff.

 

[starboard]

Up to 2 years ago the supply pipe sent with the unit was nylon. I note now the new versions are supplied with copper. I guess this is to do with regulations concerning use on british waterways canals. You are correct with ID diameters of the pipe 1.5mm and 2.0mm, the only stipulation they make is that the pipe must slope upwards from the pump to the heater unit.

Paul.

 

[Talbot]

Might depend if you are having the boat coded, but the pipe supplied by eberspacher for my boat was plastic. I ran this inside another re-inforced plastic pipe from tank to pump, and also included the electric wire inside the re-inforced plastic through the boat to the main electric connector. This has given me a good barrier against both chafe and crush.

 

[Ben998]

Thanks for the replies. Im not intending to have the boat coded, just trying to keep up with all the regulations...

 

[Talbot]

IIRC the stipulation on the slope is actually from the tank to the pump, and it doesnt matter from pump to heater. certainly mine has high spots on both runs (no alternative with the way the run had to be installed) doesnt seem to affect the working of the heater.