Twin primary fuel filter

[KellysEye]

> I would (did) add a valve after the filters as well as before. This means that the filter being changed is completely isolated. With valves only on one side, you can't change a filter with the engine running (the lift pump will just suck air through the open housing instead) and I suspect it may also make bleeding slightly harder (because the open pipe can drain and will need to be refilled).

Good point, thanks.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Dual Filters Are Not Necessary If You Have A Vacuum Gauge That Can Be Remote Mounted

Vetus offer a dual filter unit with manifold and valves: -

http://www.vetus-shop.com/vetus-water-separator-fuel-filter-twin-max-140hp-p-1816.html

The unit shown in the link retails at £572 which includes VAT and is for outside the engine room.

This model below, is for inside the engine room: -

http://www.vetus-shop.com/vetus-water-separator-fuel-filter-ceabyc-twin-max-140hp-p-1817.html

It retails at £646 pounds which includes VAT.

The manifold has twin inlets and outlets allowing parallel or single filter flow from any side and comes with a vacuum gauge. I purchased the "inside unit" a few years ago to replace a Twin CAV system with multiple valves.

The Vetus unit is quite compact and works well but I find that the filters are expensive and I am not sure that it was worth the cost. I could easily have replaced the old filter unit assembly with a lower single filter unit.

One aspect that is worth considering in any new installation is the vacuum gauge and in particular the location of the vacuum gauge. The Vetus filters have the vacuum gauge on the inlet manifold but with some hose and fittings the the gauge can be removed and mounted remotely in a position that makes it convenient to view.

Here is the point though why I think I wasted my money. In my opinion if you have the vacuum gauge in an easy to view position, when it indicates that the filter is blocking, rather than change over to the next one, just spin off and spin on a new one.

I cant see me ever being in a position where I am in such a desperate situation that I need instant filter switching.

 

[smugglers ride]

I have a Volvo penta ad41 200hp in my boat, it has the standard Volvo filter on the engine but also has a pre-filter in line before it get to the engine which is a CAV filter. It is the larger of the two sizes of filter and has a large Settling bowl as part of the unit. I have never had any problems with blockage. And I have no polishing system in line.