F33 Fuel Tank Useage

[Roy]

We got our 33 in March and after some minor setbacks due to learning to drive a different type of boat from what we were used to and also having some kit installed, we are delighted with all aspects and only have one issue we we are unclear over. Don't know if this is down to the system or maybe something not set correctly..... The strbrd tank empties first and then the port one. Should this be the case or can we equalise the useage or transfer fuel from one to other? Also, the reserve red band on the guages is about a third of the guages capacities, so does this mean that the tanks hold two thirds above the red line? The handover engineer did say something about this but I forgot what. Engines are Kad 32. Hope some of you more experienced folks can advise me. Cheers. Roy

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[Benny1]

In your engine room or somewhere else near the fuel tanks/lines there should be three valve handle type things...these can be set in a variety of ways so that you can draw fuel from either thank in isolation or succession, or both tanks simultaneously.

It is a matter of preference how it is done, but the vast majority would draw from both at once, if only to ensure that the boats trim remains even.

You instruction manual (if if you do not have that, your friendly local engineer) should be able to tell you what needs to be set where to get the fuel coming through as you want it.

It is largely there so that you can shut off a tank if the fuel gets contaminated...

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[Roy]

Thanks for that Benny1. Have seen those and left alone assuming that they were set to draw equally. I will experiment this weekend and also check the manuals for the info too. Roy

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[Alistairr]

Mmmm I'd better remember my tow rope this weekend then!!/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif/forums/images/icons/wink.gif.




<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Please take a Look.</A>

 

[Jim44]

Just something to bear in mind, if you have heating installed it will only take from 1 tank, so when they start to draw equally one will go down a bit more than the other.

I have never changed the setup on my F44 and it draws equally, the switches being in the step as you come inside.

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[Roy]

Thanks Jim

Do have heating and will bear this in mind when changing settings. Roy

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[Roy]

Hi Al

We had friends on board all weekend and the weather was real bad but we all loved it. The boat is excellent in those conditions and we did about 100 miles or so and berthed 4 times without mishap. The last boat would have been all over the place!! Decided not to go this weekend - if I do, it'll be for cleaning duties. Definitely going out Tuesday/Wed/Thursday though. I am grateful for any offer of towing of course!! See you soon I hope. Roy

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[tcm]

Re:err

don't disgaree with the others, tho usually the levers control which tank you are drawing from - or not drawing from. The options are to draw all from one tank, all from tother tank, or each from both tanks.

But if you are (eventually) drawing from both tanks without switching levers, then it can't be the case that one tank or another is isoalted - they are both available.

I think praps the situation might be that the fuel return lines from both engines (unlike a petrol, loads of diesel comes back to the tank unburnt) - are feeding into just one tank? Are there levers to control this as well?



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[Roy]

Re:err

TCM Thanks so much for your advice - always very welcome. I will examine the set up when i go to the boat and compare your notes and the others received then try and figure it out. There are loads of levers but I don't yet know what does what. Appreciated. Roy

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[powerskipper]

Re:err

a/b are the out fuel lines
c/d are the return fuel lines[ only on diesels]
e/f are the cross over feed pipes.

Top pic is
normally running settings with both eng pulling fuel from their own tanks,
the valves are shown in red , " on line on" so if the t bar is running the same way the pipe is the valve is open, therefore at right angels it is off.

On this one you can see that both engines are drawing fuel from one tank and returning fuel to that tank to.

So you can see what TCM was meaning.
All sealines have this fuel line system and some other boats have it too.but sometimes not as obvious or easy to use as this set up.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[Roy]

Re:err

Hi Julie

Thanks so much for the graphics and your wisdom - it makes perfect sense now, and clarifies what everyone else has offered too. What a great forum when we can get skilled advice from experienced people both amateur and professional who know the facts. brilliant. Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?