primary fuel filter-how fine?

[Porthandbuoy]

I’m fitting one of these.

https://d3inagkmqs1m6q.cloudfront.n...auge-kit-t-handle-fits-900-1000-model-md.jpeg

There’s a good thread on the topic here. Is it worth the expense of putting a pressure gauge onto the Racor

 

[Robin]

I suspect that after 8 years he knows exactly how well it all works

In that 8 years 2 hurricanes and Trump had us run for cover back home to UK and a different boat entirely with bigger engines too.

 

[Poignard]

My primary filter is a Racor 30-micron. The engine is a BUKH DV10ME, 10hp. I fitted the Racor assembly in 2001 in place of a CAV which leaked.

 

[boatmike]

You guys do recognise the original OP was over 20 years ago????

 

[snowbird30ds]

Nowt to do with original post but for those with racor/facor 500 filters SWMBO found a couple of nicely sealable plastic cups with lids in b+m the other day that take a racor 500 filter element perfectly, I'm going to keep one beside each filter with a spare element in for quick changes giving me somewhere clean to drop the old filter so it can be dealt with when back inland, and they have handles so easy to stow on a hook.
Just thought it worth sharing.

 

[ghostlymoron]

My last boat had VP TMD40A 140 HP with a Racor 500. Current boat has two TAM60C 255 HP which had awful CT Harwood spinner units, which I wanted to upgrade to Racor units. Although the fuel burn rate rate easily copes through the Racor 500 I was advised the 500 unit was a tad small for the 255HP, allowing for the spill return, so fitted the 900 instead, and this is massive IMHO.

Therefore my suggestion the 500 is good for around 200 HP, although at that size I would run 30 micron. It will deal with a 30 HP at 10 micron with no problems.

The Racor also centrifuges the fuel to remove heavy particles and globules of water, but to do this needs a fair flow rate, so having too large a unit reduces this effect.

Managed to find a reference stating it has a nominal flow rate of 227 litres / hr, assuming a burn rate of 33% that is 70 litres per hour, which would equate to about 200 HP WOT. My 255 WOT use around 80-90 LPH (but don't sit at that rate for too long on any run !)

Nice to see Nigel's name cropping up. He was a regular contributor particularly on electrical matters.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Yep, I only use Chinese Racor 500 FG copies, so you got some real good advice, as it's by far the best primary fuel filter. 10 microns is fine, but make sure your new shiny filter is not in the engine bay, (Not allowed for commercial insurance), but somewhere where it can easily be seen. It's possible to fit a water detector to the bowl if you like upgrading your new filter.

PS: The infamous CAV 296 is a cheap and nasty truck filter!

Lots of yacht auxiliaries use them they're cheap (as are the elements), they work and usually cause no problems as long as you put the O rings in the right place and don't over tighten them.