Changing fuel tank configuration...

[micheck]

I am contemplating changing my diesel fuel tank configuration from one small tank near the engine to two larger tanks located about 20 feet away from the engine.

1: Is remote tankage OK?
2: Should I run 2 lines from the tank farm to the engine with the selection valves located near the tanks? (less money) OR
3: Should I run 4 lines from the tanks to near the engine and do the switching there? (more convenient to monitor the action)
4: Where should the filtering equipment be located?

Charles

[Minnewaska]

Let me first say that I like the notion of redundant fuel tanks, so I would keep everything redundant, including the lines. I don't think the distance itself matters as much as the hydrodynamics of pumping fluid up hill or creating downhill pressure. I would put cutoffs at each end, for different reasons.

[blt2ski]

Some will also depend upon the fuel pump you have or may need to get. While my diesel has a pump, it is generally speaking, gravity fed! ie the bottom of the tank is higher than the top of the motor. If you are set up this way currently, you may/will need to engineer a fuel pump to get the fuel from 20' away up hill to the motor!

I've toyed with going from a 7 to a 12-15 if I can get a tank to fit in the general area of where it is now. In my case, I believe doable, question is, how big and the cost vs benefit!

marty

[boatpoker]

1. Adding an electric fuel pump may help and it also makes bleeding the system much faster and easier.

2. Don't forget the return lines. The fuel must be returned to the same tank it was drawn from.

[PorFin]

The manifold location is not critical -- it'll be a trade off with redundancy on one end and clutter/cost on the other, with convenience of access somewhere in the middle.

Adding a supplemental electric pump is a good idea, as BoatPoker mentioned.

In addition to the supply and return lines, don't forget that you also need to think about how your new vent lines will be run.