Fuel Transfer Systems

ttmott

PhD in OCD
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TECHNICAL Contributor
Apr 3, 2012
8,021
Space Coast Florida
Boat Info
2006 52 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSM11
I've been in the process of "upgrading" my fuel system on the 400DA and created these diagrams to keep me straight when putting it back together. Thought I would share if someone else could use.



 
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Have you found a way to balance out your fuel systems with valves? I had done a run on one engine, just after I bought the boat, and realized that it was running off the opposite fuel tank. Now my boat has 175gal in one and 50 in the other and listing hard to one side.
 
IMG_2098.JPG
Our SRs had valves that said starboard, port and both. Made fuel management pretty easy.
 
Have you found a way to balance out your fuel systems with valves? I had done a run on one engine, just after I bought the boat, and realized that it was running off the opposite fuel tank. Now my boat has 175gal in one and 50 in the other and listing hard to one side.
Not without a transfer pump. Some boats have them built in just for this balancing reason when there are not fuel selection valves (my friends Carver has one). In your case since it's a one time anomaly, best thing now is putter over to the fuel dock and plop 125 gallons into the one tank.
 
Well that would be perfect however the reason is I came in on one engine with tow assist just to be safe. The rudder on this thing is only 9"x13", no maneuverability around a marina.
I went and got a diesel pump but can't get the hose down into the starboard tank to siphon out fuel. And I can't find way into the tank from the engine room.
THIS is past the point of not fun. Any suggestions?
 
Well that would be perfect however the reason is I came in on one engine with tow assist just to be safe. The rudder on this thing is only 9"x13", no maneuverability around a marina.
I went and got a diesel pump but can't get the hose down into the starboard tank to siphon out fuel. And I can't find way into the tank from the engine room.
THIS is past the point of not fun. Any suggestions?
What happened, did you lose one engine or drive that forced you to run on only one?
 
IMG_2098.JPG
Not sure why it would be hard to balance the tanks. Couldn't you just fill them both and be done with it?
 
Well that would be perfect however the reason is I came in on one engine with tow assist just to be safe. The rudder on this thing is only 9"x13", no maneuverability around a marina.
I went and got a diesel pump but can't get the hose down into the starboard tank to siphon out fuel. And I can't find way into the tank from the engine room.
THIS is past the point of not fun. Any suggestions?


You could buy a stock up of booze to balance it...

MM
 
Well that would be perfect however the reason is I came in on one engine with tow assist just to be safe. The rudder on this thing is only 9"x13", no maneuverability around a marina.
I went and got a diesel pump but can't get the hose down into the starboard tank to siphon out fuel. And I can't find way into the tank from the engine room.
THIS is past the point of not fun. Any suggestions?

Find a combination of fittings that you can mate the supply line to the engine remove it and adapt to your pump.
 
Have you found a way to balance out your fuel systems with valves? I had done a run on one engine, just after I bought the boat, and realized that it was running off the opposite fuel tank. Now my boat has 175gal in one and 50 in the other and listing hard to one side.
If your valving is like this then there is no way to move fuel from one tank to the other without swapping fuel lines and running the engines. You should for the benefit of the boat's fuel system keep the fuel tanks full when not using it.
 
Thank you all for your help. Appreciated.

@sbw1 @Woody
I just had purchased the boat, great deal, with one working engine. The port in the middle of a rebuilt. Starboard runs great. I didn't know the previous owner had the starboard engine running off the port tank when we moved it. Now I have 25 gal on port / 175 on starboard LOL

@MonacoMike - best answer, thought of that too
@swaterhouse - tried that yesterday but giving it one more shot today

I'm giving it one more hour of time then having my son run back and forth to the gas station with (4) 5gal cans to balance it out. One time newbie Sea Ray owner problem solved.
 

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