On Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:50:33 -0400, Eisboch wrote:


"RLM" wrote in message
. ..


Only thing I would add to Ed's post is check out a fuel polishing
system that involves a day tank to recirculate the fuel if he isn't
using it regularly.
http://www.google.com/search?q=fuel+...ient=firefox-a


I would add that polishing fuel in a boat that is not regularly used is
just about worthless unless you take the boat out in some rough water
and slosh it around for a while before polishing or have access to
"wash" the tank internals with a high pressure diesel wand. All the
crud and dead "critters" cling to the walls and baffles of the tank.

The last two diesel powered boats we owned had dual primary Racor
filters per engine with valving that allowed either filter to be
replaced while running on the other filter. It's a setup I would
recommend to any diesel boat owner.

Eisboch

Thanks, you are correct.

I worked on one boat that had twin in line 6 cyl. turbo charged Cats that
was manufactured across the pond by some, that I suspect, were very small
people. It had a large Racor filter for each engine in line with dual Cat
filters that were mounted on the engine at the default location for truck
engines. One set of Cat filters on the backside against the bulkhead. No
gate valves anywhere.

Not a lot of thought given to maintenance in the manufacturing
side of things has been my experience.

The owner cruised a lot at shall we say, just above rumble so you almost
only hear one engine running in the bay that is normally calm.

After a ROMP in the Gulf it was towed to port. Had a bad case of
slime/fungus attack. Both Racors black in the settling bowls. Both Racors
mounted on the front bulkhead so you had to lie down between the engines
and work overhead. The hot fuel ran down your arms the whole time into a
drain pan off your elbo.

There is a hell.

If it would have had a small day tank, or if you prefer a large filter
with a fine mesh screen that was easily accessible. Then this could have
acted also as a polishing tank. If it is located where it can be cleaned
even in rough water. Then the possibilities of it returning to port on its
own legs would be far more favorable. This configuration was doomed from
the start.

You are indeed correct about the gate valves being set so one filter runs
and if clogged can be shut off from the system and a secondary filter to
take its place.

I've seen a lot of things that were designed, and installed wrong.
Changing the way something is designed as a mechanic can be construed in
court as you becoming the manufacturer and opens a lot of doors to
liability.

My thought is to have a small day tank/fine mesh large filter/water
separator,whatever you care to call it, where it is serviceable even after
the boat rolls over. Therefore, I only provided the link.

Just one more observation. Seems like no one wants filters like these
changed until it is over 90+ in the shade. They want to keep the generator
running to keep the air conditioner going in the cabin while they run a
vacuum cleaner at a site with no shore power available because they were
towed to the nearest port. Of course both engines are hot from getting
them to start and idle but can't understand the lack of power. That's when
they call for help.

They are always in a hurry and have to be someplace else and have not
established an account and therefore are C.O.D..

First thing you hear is I can write a check.

Hell, that's the easy part. Doesn't mean it will clear the bank.

Being retired and leaving this in the past is great.

This was just one morning, I got a million stories like this. I don't
remember the full million but I had a million of them , I'm sure.

I don't recall any tools included in the Ditch Bag thread, That would have
been one of my first considerations. But that's just me.

I'll take my nap in a couple of hours.

Have good day.

HTH