On 20 Nov 2006 19:47:14 -0800, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

So, two questions from all this.

1) Is my polishing setup appropriate - is the 30 followed by the 10 a
good practice?


It can't hurt but is probably overkill. I polish through my regular
Racors with 10 micron elements. It seems to work OK, no hard data but
I've had no fuel issues since I started doing this.

2) For those who have done it, or if there's still a professional
filtration person looking into this group who can give empirical
commentary vs usage experience, will I be changing 2s in the dual Racor
setup often, or will the polishing likely reduce the particulate to
that or below?

There has been a big ongoing debate on one of the trawler lists
regarding this question. Most engine manufacturers, including
Cummings and Cat, are recommending 10 micron elements in the Racors
followed by a 2 micron engine mounted filter. Since the engine
mounted filter is frequently much more difficult to change, some have
advocated 2 micron elements in the Racors on the assumption that the
engine mounted filters would then last more or less indefinitely. The
manufacturers have countered that the engine mounted filter should be
changed on its recommended schedule regardless. I have come full
circle and gone back to 10 micron elements in the Racors.

Although you sound like you've done all the right things, I'd offer
one word of caution. Fuel problems often do not occur until the boat
starts moving around and stirs up sediment accumulated in the bottom
of the tank. This is almost impossible to address with dock side
polishing so I'd recommend extra filter and vacuum guage vigilance the
first few times you go out, especially in rough conditions. If you
can run your polishing system while underway in rough conditions, that
should speed the cleaning process. Don't forget to use a good fuel
conditioner in the recommended quantities. I've been using mostly
Biobor and it seems to work.

Regarding your other question on filter changes and filling the Racor
cannister with fuel; it depends on the boat. If your tanks are below
the level of the Racors, then you will need some way of topping off
the filters after you change out the element. On my boat the tanks
are higher so it is not a problem. I just crack open the inlet valve
while watching the fuel level in the cannister.