Twin Racors - what position do you run your valve in?

Shaps

Shaps

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Nov 4, 2019
2,478
Long Island,NY
Boat Info
2010 Sundancer 500
2015 Brig Falcon 330T
Engines
Twin Cummins QSC550 w Zeus Pods
I have Racor 75900 max fuel filters on each engine with about 90 hours on new filters this season. My valve on each has only been pointing to 1 filter the whole time and the memory needle is just a few Hg.

I was just wondering if I should be running both filters simultaneously or switching between them?

I could see the argument for only running 1 each side in case a filter gets clogged, then I could switch to a brand new, clean filter. Any thoughts/opinions?

Racor.jpg
 
Here is my take - these filters work by spinning the fuel as a centrifuge would to separate water and contamination; hence the name "turbine". Consequently then it's important to maintain a velocity of fuel flowing through them. If the selector is set to both then the flow rate is now half and the filter mechanics are not as designed.
Secondly, if you get into a situation where the fuel in the tank delivers a large amount of sediment or water to the filters like could happen in big seas you definitely want to be able to switch to a fresh side and be able to change the other.
I always keep mine selected on one.
 
Thanks @ttmott
Makes sense to me. Do you ever switch them, mid season? or always keep a 'fresh' one in reserve?
 
Shaps said:
Thanks @ttmott
Makes sense to me. Do you ever switch them, mid season? or always keep a 'fresh' one in reserve?
Click to expand...
I switch the selection once a year when I change the engine oil and change the filter that was in use. Then the next year switch back and change the other. With that said I don't have any fuel issues either.
 
I follow the same filter protocol as ttmott. There is no reason or benefit to running the filters in combo mode - one side per season.
 
Running twin racors per engine is sometimes called a "cruising setup". It's intended so if you get a clog or need to change a filter while cruising away from home you can simply turn the lever and switch to a clean filter and keep going. Leave it on one filter while running.
 
ttmott said:
I switch the selection once a year when I change the engine oil and change the filter that was in use. Then the next year switch back and change the other. With that said I don't have any fuel issues either.
Click to expand...

I have wondered if switching the filter selector might make more sense than running both but had not read anything to back it up. I like yours, tc410 and b_arrington’s concept... new rule to be put in place, effective immediately after I change filters. I have also read by Tony Athens that these filters do not go bad. So there is nothing wrong with them in play 2-3 years.
 
I run it on 1 filter and switch to the other filter for the next season as well.
 
I used to run on one filter as well, with the selector pointing in the same direction for both engines (forward or aft)......sigh
 
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