Switching fuel tanks
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makalea
- Registered user
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:23 am
- Location: Lighthouse Cove, Ontario/Waikoloa, Hawaii
Switching fuel tanks
I have a 2000 Trojan 400. The generator runs off the port fuel(gas) tank. Is there a way to switch fuel tanks so I can keep the tanks balanced?
First of all welcome to the forum.
The Trojans I am familiar with have a fuel selector valve located in the engine compartment. Depending upon whether you have two tanks or four tanks, it allows you to isolate certain tanks so that you can make the engine run from whatever tank that you want. Mine has two tanks and I set it up so that the port engine draws from the port tank and the starboard engine draws from the starboard tank.
It is possible to make both engines draw from the same tank for whatever period of time you want to enabling you to balance the tanks. The only other way I know of would be to add a small fuel transfer pump that would allow you to move fuel wherever you want to very similar to how large airplanes manage fuel flow and weight and balance.
It has been my experience that many fuel gauges and sending units are not that accurate and should be used as a general indicator of fuel level only. Unless you are using the generator for many hours, if you have the engines setup to draw from separate tanks, the fuel level of each tank should be close since the burn rate of the generator compared to the burn rate of the engine is very different.
The Trojans I am familiar with have a fuel selector valve located in the engine compartment. Depending upon whether you have two tanks or four tanks, it allows you to isolate certain tanks so that you can make the engine run from whatever tank that you want. Mine has two tanks and I set it up so that the port engine draws from the port tank and the starboard engine draws from the starboard tank.
It is possible to make both engines draw from the same tank for whatever period of time you want to enabling you to balance the tanks. The only other way I know of would be to add a small fuel transfer pump that would allow you to move fuel wherever you want to very similar to how large airplanes manage fuel flow and weight and balance.
It has been my experience that many fuel gauges and sending units are not that accurate and should be used as a general indicator of fuel level only. Unless you are using the generator for many hours, if you have the engines setup to draw from separate tanks, the fuel level of each tank should be close since the burn rate of the generator compared to the burn rate of the engine is very different.
Tim
"SeaDog"
1979 36' Tri-Cabin
"SeaDog"
1979 36' Tri-Cabin
Where some vessels may have selector valves for the main engines, not all have the same option for the genny. Most I've seen feed from one tank through a separate pick up with no option to feed from another tank. Only close inspection will tell you for sure or if you have the vessel's owner's manual, it should explain feul system options.
She was a 1969 36 ft wooden beauty with big blue 440s that we'll miss forever.
And thanks to the gang, 2012 Trojan Boater Of The Year
And thanks to the gang, 2012 Trojan Boater Of The Year