Relocating my petrol water separator / filter

[Phil_boat]

I have a Suzuki water separator filter on my petrol outboard Merry Fisher. It's in a ridiculously inaccessible place which means it's difficult to check or drain and will be a real pain when I need to replace the filter.

It's currently in the tank space which is sealed (not 100% as there is a bilge drain between the 2 and probably some other gaps) from the main lazarette. The batteries are also in the lazarette.

I would like to relocate it to the front of the tank space bulkhead into the lazarette but not sure if this is a terrible idea or not or if there's regs that say I can't. I would have to bring the fuel hose out through the bulkhead and back in again.

It would however mean that it gets checked every time we're on the boat as it would be so easy to see.

Here's a pic, the plastic hatch is into the tank compartment and the location I'd want to put it is on the front of the bulkhead on the left.

 

[spannerman]

It should be fine there, its a lot better than some of the locations I see on some boats. Just make sure there are no sharp bends in the hoses where they pass through the bulkhead and use through bolts to mount the filter housing, I often see these mounted with screws which pull out when you use a filter strap to remove the filter.

 

[simonfraser]

or cut a hole ?

 

[Phil_boat]

It should be fine there, its a lot better than some of the locations I see on some boats. Just make sure there are no sharp bends in the hoses where they pass through the bulkhead and use through bolts to mount the filter housing, I often see these mounted with screws which pull out when you use a filter strap to remove the filter.

If I move it I’ll change all the hoses over too and make sure I run them nicely

 

[Phil_boat]

or cut a hole ?

View attachment 208346

I had thought of that and putting it on the inside of the bulkhead but not sure if there’s space infront of the tank for it.

I’ll have a poke about before I commit…