3-4 way valving

[micheck]

We have 3 diesel fuel tanks that we want to plumb into one fuel line to the engine; is there a less expensive way to do this or should we look at 3 fuel shut-off ball valves feeding into a Rube Goldberg set of tees ...?

Charles

[Omatako]

Whatever you choose to do, be sure that if your engine has a return feed back to the tanks, the return feed can be switched as well.

If you don't, the engine will send the fuel back to tank that is not being drawn from and soon enough you'll have an over-fill problem.

I know it sounds simple but it is many times forgotten with very messy results.

[centaursailor]

Originally Posted by Omatako

Whatever you choose to do, be sure that if your engine has a return feed back to the tanks, the return feed can be switched as well.

If you don't, the engine will send the fuel back to tank that is not being drawn from and soon enough you'll have an over-fill problem.

I know it sounds simple but it is many times forgotten with very messy results.

Good point on the returns. Independent circuits seem advisable incase of dirt or contamination .
A seperate outlet valve and filter on each tank outlet will allow maintenance to be carried out while the engine is running or at least available.
Safe sailing

[boatpoker]

I too have three tanks. I have an fuel pump on each of my side tanks feeding my center tank. When my center tank gets low I switch on the pumps and transfer fuel to my center tank. this way I only require one return line and it makes the plumbing much simpler.

[HUGOSALT]

This may be of interest to you, I have not used them but
have hear nice things...the name says it all... Hugo
Home - Affordable Custom Manifolds

[sawingknots]

you don't need a return line to each tank just route the return line to the input side of the transfer pump,the excess fuel will be sucked into the pump and not to your tank/tanks

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by sawingknots

you don't need a return line to each tank just route the return line to the input side of the transfer pump,the excess fuel will be sucked into the pump and not to your tank/tanks

ABYC Diesel Fuel Systems H-33 requires diesel fuel to be returned to the tank from which it was drawn.

[sawingknots]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

ABYC Diesel Fuel Systems H-33 requires diesel fuel to be returned to the tank from which it was drawn.

why?

[treilley]

I built a custom manifold for my 2 tanks. Each tank has it's own filter and return. I also have a fuel transfer pump and 2m filter that allows me to move fuel from either tank to the other or simply polish the fuel in place. The keys to my system are "T" diverter valves. I also setup a feed for my Hydronic heater so I can run the heater off one tank and the engine off the other. Having returns for each tank makes the transfer and polishing much easier. Just a matter of adjusting the appropriate diverter valves.

BTW, most diverter valves are "L" type. The "T" valves can be harder to find.

[hellosailor]

Charles-
How you plan to use them, where you can fit the, how big they will be, all affect the choices.
Boatpoker's system, using one "feed" tank and using the reserve tanks to transfer fuel into it, can keep things simple and ensure double-filtering. Of course it means extra pumps and wiring.
If you want to add a gravity-fed day tank, you can pump into that. Or if your reserve tanks can gravity-feed into the main tank, you can omit the extra pumps, filters, and return lines. Less stuff means less stuff to fail.

All going to depend on budget and space considerations. What do you have to work with?