newBeta
New Member
In the process of fitting a new beta14.
My old fuel tank has 8mm supply and 6mm return pipes.
The beta specifies 8mm supply and return.
The beta has an 8mm inlet connection at the lift pump and a 6mm return connection.
So far – a perfect combination!
A 6” stub of hose with an adapter barb is pre-fitted (by beta) on the return to increase the 6mm return hose size to 8mm.
I was hoping to use 6mm return as it suits my tank but I can use an adapter to allow an 8mm return and feed it into my vent hose fitting on the tank. My tank is only ever filled slowly from fuel cans so I’m not worried about pressure in the return hose blowing fuel back.
I tried to discuss this Beta but feel I was not able to…. More of that later.
Has anyone else done this? My previous engine was a 8mm supply and 6mm return – it’s the arrangement I’m familiar with on other systems to deliberately provide more resistance in the return than the supply (bigger supply / smaller return is the ONLY fuel system I’ve seen boat/car/truck with the exception of those with a pressure regulator before the return).
All advice greatly received.
Now to whinge about Beta support.
I spoke to a guy who just repeated the mantra “8mm thorough out”. I mentioned it having a 6mm outlet from the engine and he said “8mm thorough out” but added “if you don’t use 8mm, I can’t guarantee you won’t get running problems”. This message was delivered in a 'matter of fact/end of discussion' tone. I was not told to 'go away' but it sounded like he did not want to continue the conversation, perhaps he felt I sould simply read the manual and not bother him?
I asked what problem I could potentially expect from using the same size return as the return nozzle on the engine. There was as awkward pause followed by a single word “hunting”.
I asked if he was sure that using a (short) return hose (the same size as the return nozzle) would cause an engine to hunt – the reply? “use 8mm thorough out”.
Whilst not doubting that an 8mm return works, I was trying to ask if it’s strictly necessary. The Beta guy didn’t seem to know it had a 6mm return nozzle on the engine. He didn’t seem to understand the domain. I suspect the short length of 6mm pipe provides the necessary restriction and the reason for specifying 8mm throughout is just to simplify installation.
Sadly, beta support was not in a position to explain the reason for the 6mm/8mm adapter in the return line.
Has anyone else had a support/info issue with beta, anyone tried asking Kubota?
All in all I feel this is very poor service for the money spent. I’d recommend paying a little more to buy an engine from a supplier with support engineers who can confidently explain the reasons for their specifications. This confidence can then be shared with the customer.
I do appreciate that I may have just caught him on a bad day – the sandwich van may have been outside blowing its horn or perhaps his facebook account required urgent attention. He missed the opportunity to escalate the enquiry to someone who understood the question. I don’t think this was a malicious act – he just wasn’t knowledgeable enough to appreciate that he did not understand the question. The result was the same though, if I ever buy again, it will be from a better supported outfit.
On a positive note, the documentation produced by Beta is very good. If we could have access to the guys who wrote that then beta would be a truly winning formula.
My old fuel tank has 8mm supply and 6mm return pipes.
The beta specifies 8mm supply and return.
The beta has an 8mm inlet connection at the lift pump and a 6mm return connection.
So far – a perfect combination!
A 6” stub of hose with an adapter barb is pre-fitted (by beta) on the return to increase the 6mm return hose size to 8mm.
I was hoping to use 6mm return as it suits my tank but I can use an adapter to allow an 8mm return and feed it into my vent hose fitting on the tank. My tank is only ever filled slowly from fuel cans so I’m not worried about pressure in the return hose blowing fuel back.
I tried to discuss this Beta but feel I was not able to…. More of that later.
Has anyone else done this? My previous engine was a 8mm supply and 6mm return – it’s the arrangement I’m familiar with on other systems to deliberately provide more resistance in the return than the supply (bigger supply / smaller return is the ONLY fuel system I’ve seen boat/car/truck with the exception of those with a pressure regulator before the return).
All advice greatly received.
Now to whinge about Beta support.
I spoke to a guy who just repeated the mantra “8mm thorough out”. I mentioned it having a 6mm outlet from the engine and he said “8mm thorough out” but added “if you don’t use 8mm, I can’t guarantee you won’t get running problems”. This message was delivered in a 'matter of fact/end of discussion' tone. I was not told to 'go away' but it sounded like he did not want to continue the conversation, perhaps he felt I sould simply read the manual and not bother him?
I asked what problem I could potentially expect from using the same size return as the return nozzle on the engine. There was as awkward pause followed by a single word “hunting”.
I asked if he was sure that using a (short) return hose (the same size as the return nozzle) would cause an engine to hunt – the reply? “use 8mm thorough out”.
Whilst not doubting that an 8mm return works, I was trying to ask if it’s strictly necessary. The Beta guy didn’t seem to know it had a 6mm return nozzle on the engine. He didn’t seem to understand the domain. I suspect the short length of 6mm pipe provides the necessary restriction and the reason for specifying 8mm throughout is just to simplify installation.
Sadly, beta support was not in a position to explain the reason for the 6mm/8mm adapter in the return line.
Has anyone else had a support/info issue with beta, anyone tried asking Kubota?
All in all I feel this is very poor service for the money spent. I’d recommend paying a little more to buy an engine from a supplier with support engineers who can confidently explain the reasons for their specifications. This confidence can then be shared with the customer.
I do appreciate that I may have just caught him on a bad day – the sandwich van may have been outside blowing its horn or perhaps his facebook account required urgent attention. He missed the opportunity to escalate the enquiry to someone who understood the question. I don’t think this was a malicious act – he just wasn’t knowledgeable enough to appreciate that he did not understand the question. The result was the same though, if I ever buy again, it will be from a better supported outfit.
On a positive note, the documentation produced by Beta is very good. If we could have access to the guys who wrote that then beta would be a truly winning formula.
