52 sedan bridge fuel tanks

Charlesoceanone

Well-Known Member
Dec 14, 2014
455
Harbor Shores Marina, St Joseph, Michigan
Boat Info
2013 58 Sedan Bridge
2021 Walker Bay LTE 11
Engines
Man 900
I have a new to me 2009 52 sedan bridge. Today was the first day I have had a good chance to use the boat. I seem to be pulling fuel from only the starboard tank. What am I missing? The. Valve on the top of the tank is open.
 
There are fuel switches in the cockpit, on the port side (if the door between the swim platform and cockpit is open, the fuel switches are behind that door). You can verify if the switches are set to both tanks or just one.
 
Engine fuel source on the 06 model (what I know about) cannot be switched.
The generator, however, can be configured to draw from one tank and return to the other which if set up that way will unbalance the fuel load. Over time the generator will move quite a bit of fuel.
 
I ran the generator for about six hours and I was returning it to port for probably 4hrs. I was pulling from the starboard. I put about 6 hours also on engines and was almost full at begging of the day. At the end of the day I had a full port tank and half a starboard tank. If it is the genny I’m assuming I just need to dump from the same tank I pull from. It just seems like a lot. In the 6 hrs of engine use I was moving pretty good so I know I was burning some fuel.
 
The genny on my 58 is like a fuel polisher - it really returns a LOT for fuel to the tank. Split the feed and return and you will get a split.
 
The generator returns a lot more fuel than it burns so that’s exactly what is happening here. I’ve filled a tank by accident good thing I caught it in 4-6 hours it’s no surprise you replaced 75 gals basically.
 
I was curious as to why the made the valves for the generator in such a convenient location. This would make sense since you have to monitor it pretty closely. My Meridian just pulled from the starboard tank and I could transfer back to it to balance it back out. Thanks for the tip I’ll give it a try.
 
After reading this thread I posted this in the 480 forum and thought someone here may be able to help -

Can somebody explain the generator fuel switch valves under the stairs? There is a on/off feed valve under Port side label and an on/off return valve under the starboard side label? Can this be used as a method to balance? If the return is switched off will it return fuel to the port side? And if on returns to the starboard? And if I understand correctly the generator returns a lot more fuel than it burns. So if your burning from the port (always) and returning to the starboard it will be more unbalanced, typically I would think the return valve should be off? And returning fuel to port-?
 
Charles, I always keep the supply and the return switches on the same tank. If I'm going to run the generator for long periods of time, I just monitor the hours and switch both supply and return together periodically. Usually run from one tank during the day and switch it before we go to bed. I'm typically within 5-10 gallons at fill up.
Not sure why anyone would run from let's say the starboard tank so your using fuel from that tank and then in addition to using the fuel you then are returning unused fuel to the port tank. You are in essence filling one tank and emptying another at the same time. It's a double whammy. Just my 2 cents
 
Russ - is this your configuration? If so seems you have no way to draw from one and return to another tank.
upload_2018-3-28_20-50-27.png
 
Imagine if one didn't pay attention to their fuel configuration and with full tanks started on a trip with the generator transferring fuel, overfilling a tank, and dumping a complete tank overboard. Bad day to say the least. I bet it's happened.....
Fuel valves on my trip checklist....
 
I run mine the same as Steve (COD) I’m usually on the hook for a few days at a time it pulls and returns from the same tank then in the am I switch to the other side.
Now with the Inverter I only run it at night if AC is needed otherwise it stays off I went from running it 600 hours per year to less than 150 with the Inverter.
 
Russ - is this your configuration? If so seems you have no way to draw from one and return to another tank.
View attachment 54458

I have this arrangement. Unfortunately, no potential to transfer fuel from one tank to another. Just allows you to run both engines off one tank in order to balance.

Thanks, I guess not -the confusion is why is there an on/off for the gen return?

The two Supply & Return ON/OFF's for the Gen allow you to isolate when changing the Racor. Makes a mess otherwise. Don't ask how I know.
 
I have this arrangement. Unfortunately, no potential to transfer fuel from one tank to another. Just allows you to run both engines off one tank in order to balance.



The two Supply & Return ON/OFF's for the Gen allow you to isolate when changing the Racor. Makes a mess otherwise. Don't ask how I know.
It's still a poor design. Many of Sea Ray's other boats (like my old 400DA) use a Groco 6 port ganged fuel valve in which both the supply and return are operated by a single handle. The configuration as in Russ' 480 begs for issues for little reason.
 
Along these lines my analog Starboard Fuel gauge was fluctuating the other day while cruising. We knew we had just over a half tank but it was reading down to almost empty, crawled back up to a Qtr down and back up to half tank. This process took 20-30min or so.

The Cummins Smart Craft was triggering the low fuel as well.

Any ideas what could have caused this?
 

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