Fuel Filter - Twin type options

[siwhi]

My question follows on in a similar vein to MagicalArmchair's recent post regarding fuel filters:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?471806-Diesel-Filter

I have some experience of fuel contamination problems including a delivery during which we suffered from serious fuel contamination issues while crossing the Med that lead to headache and cost. I hope to avoid similar issues in the future on my own boat.

We have just bought a larger new-to-us boat and intend to set sail this summer for the Caribbean. I would therefore like to install a fuel filter system which meets as many of these criteria as possible:

Screw on filters - to make it quick and easy (no tools) to change filters
Twin system with switch to toggle immediately from one filter to the other when required
Integrated primer pump
Integrated vacuum gauge
Engine space friendly transparent sight glass

I know some will question the need for these features, but I can't see much of a downside to having them. The only one which I can see which currently comes close to this is by Vetus (with Racor type filters??).

The boat has a Volvo Penta MD22 (50hp).

I have these questions:

1) If I go with a Vetus filter system, which one would suit best? The 75330 VTEB seems OK but expensive, would it suit this engine?
http://www.vetus.com/vetus-water-separator-fuel-filter-double-10-micron-max-190-l-h.html

2) Are there any cheaper options which meet the criteria above?

Thanks!

 

[prv]

These are good - very easy to drain, change, bleed, etc, and the filters are reputed to be very effective (available in 30, 10, and 5 micron). The initial cost isn't cheap, though, and neither are the filters.

https://www.asap-supplies.com/racor-75-b32016-10-twin-diesel-spin-on-fuel-filter

No integrated pump or gauge - both of these are good to have, but I see no need for them to be integrated with the filter housing. The pump can be an outboard-style squeeze-bulb (much more effective than the various plunger types) and the gauge is better mounted somewhere visible than hidden away in the engine bay where you won't look at it until you already have a problem. Mine is next to the companionway where I can glance at it regularly and notice if the filters are starting to clog up - I've also been known to deliberately check it before motoring into somewhere like a rocky Channel Islands passage

Note that there's also no reason not to assemble your own manifold of two single filter housings - this is what I did on my previous boat and it worked very well.

Pete

 

[siwhi]

Great, thanks Pete, will take a look. Note the comments about positioning of the vacuum gauge, will have a think about the setup.

Simon