Fuel Tanks

**MarieK** · 31-12-2005, 16:52

What would you guys say is a better setup - a couple of small 20 odd litre tanks or one big one? and why?

Regards
Mariek

**Salar** · 31-12-2005, 17:37

Two big ones. If you get contaminated fuel in one, you have another as a reserve. Ditto if you get a leak. Also, you can run on one and keep the other for getting home with. With one tank all your eggs are in one basket so to speak. 20L seems rather small though, how far can you run on that (with reserve?)

**MarieK** · 31-12-2005, 17:39

At present I have 3, 25 litre tanks which i Just swap around as and when I need to, but i would like to fit some sort of fuel gauge and obviously I cant do this with more than 1 tank.

MarieK

**Salar** · 31-12-2005, 17:42

Are you thinking of installing fixed tanks? If so you can fit guages in both. You can also fit guages in the lid of portable 25L tanks, mine have them anyway.

**ChrisP** · 31-12-2005, 18:03

I have 1X125 litre tank on mine with a fuel gauge. Echo the comments of Salar on a big tank and the gauge is hopeless. When I am on the plane it will show 1/2 tank and if I stop it shows full. Far better is a fuel flow meter that displays fuel used-remaining-present consumption and miles left at current speed. The sender unit fits in line in the fuel hose so could be used with your present 3 tank set up. Mine was a option with the plotter and I find it really usefull, cost £80. Once you get to know the consumption you can spot the engine going out of tune.

I carry 2X25 litre tanks as a reserve in case something goes wrong with the main which is a lot of extra weight.

The other thing I find against large single tanks is filling them with the law as it stands on Petrol. My boat will not go under the canopy of my local petrol station so I have to fill it from portable tanks. As the law stands a tank not connected to an engine can only have 5 litres in it (plastic tank) One station sticks to this law while the other local one turns a blind eye. It may be a consideration if you do change to a single tank.

**MarieK** · 01-01-2006, 11:56

I purchased the fuel flow meter - I got the Navman F3100 which will interface with my GPS looks like a tasty bit of kit, I also bought a 50 litre tank which I will use alongside my other tanks to give improved range. Thanks for the advice boys.

Now to purchase the 30 other things I want before re-launch in March - if only we lived in the states!!

MarieK

**MarieK** · 22-01-2006, 10:50

Morning guys,
As you know I fitted the fuel flow transducer in the fuel line I would also like to fit an inline water seperator a glass type one so I can see at a glance if any water has accumulated but before I do this I am a bit concerned that these extra elements will have an adverse effect on the fuel flow through the line - i think the correct term is back pressure what are your thoughts?

Thanks
MarieK

**ChrisP** · 22-01-2006, 11:05

Won't be a problem, I have a fuel/water separator and filter in mine with the fuel flow head. The head on mine is fitted between the engine and filter.