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Author Topic:   Connecting Fuel Tank Outlet Hoses Together

Sherman Mohnike posted 04-28-2010 08:03 AM ET (US)
[I edited this article. I replaced the word "plum," a type of fruit, with the phrase "unclear, possibly means to connect the output fuel hoses from each tank," because I believe that was what was intended.--jimh]
I just picked up a [Evinrude E-TEC 90-HP] for my [1967] Sakonnet. Since I have two tanks under the [console] should I just [unclear, possibly means to connect the output fuel hoses from each tank] together? Or, should I continue to run one tank to nearly empty and then switch to the other. With switching and having one tank empty the trim is not always right. But if I [unclear, possibly means to connect the output fuel hoses from each tank] together I will have to fill both tanks each time. Any help would be appreciated.
Sherm
themclos posted 04-28-2010 08:38 AM ET (US)
My preference is to leave them configured the way you have them now. I don't see a benefit to [connecting the output fuel hoses from each tank] together. I think it adds complexity to a simple boat.
Congratulations on your new motor.
Dan
burning_hXc_soul posted 04-28-2010 08:41 AM ET (US)
I have a 1963 Eastport and I do what you do now, drain one fuel tank and then switch to another one. I've never noticed a big difference in the trim of the boat to the right or the left with one fuel tank empty since the tanks are so close to the center of the boat. If [the lateral trim of the boat] a [concern] while your underway, you could just move your position on the boat to compensate for it. That's what I have had to do in the past when I've had nine people on my boat. I keep the tanks set up like that because it lets you know how much fuel you have left and how much you have used. It's almost like being on a motorcycle and switching to your reserve tank.
jimh posted 04-28-2010 08:54 AM ET (US)
If you connect two fuel tank outlet hoses together, the engine will draw fuel from both tanks simultaneously. However, there is no guarantee that the rate of flow from each tank will be precisely the same. As a result, the level of fuel in one tank will be lower than the other. When the tank with the lower fuel level has the fuel level drop below the fuel inlet, the fuel system will begin to suck air instead of fuel. It is not a good method for managing fuel in two tanks.
Sherman Mohnike posted 04-28-2010 09:44 AM ET (US)
Thanks to all. Jim, it's was way too early in California for me to write clearly.
Sherm
contender posted 04-28-2010 05:36 PM ET (US)
I would leave them separate [as] themclos stated.
If you connect both tanks together are you going to use a three way valve? Or, [is the engine] sucking fuel out of each tank at the same time? Then do you have to keep the same amount of fuel in each tank? Then does the engine suck the same amount of fuel out of each tank with the same suction? Does and would one tank empty faster than the other? And if one tank is empty would not the engine be sucking air instead of fuel if you are using both tanks at the same time?
contender posted 04-28-2010 05:38 PM ET (US)
Sorry Jim did not read your answer.
WhalerAce posted 04-29-2010 11:32 AM ET (US)
[Changed topic of discussion to language etymology and back formation of verbs.]
White Bear posted 04-29-2010 12:08 PM ET (US)
[Changed topic of discussion to comment on revisions of original article.]
jimh posted 04-29-2010 10:26 PM ET (US)
Please contact the moderator via email to discuss topics not related to boating.

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Author	Topic: Connecting Fuel Tank Outlet Hoses Together
Sherman Mohnike	posted 04-28-2010 08:03 AM ET (US) [I edited this article. I replaced the word "plum," a type of fruit, with the phrase "unclear, possibly means to connect the output fuel hoses from each tank," because I believe that was what was intended.--jimh] I just picked up a [Evinrude E-TEC 90-HP] for my [1967] Sakonnet. Since I have two tanks under the [console] should I just [unclear, possibly means to connect the output fuel hoses from each tank] together? Or, should I continue to run one tank to nearly empty and then switch to the other. With switching and having one tank empty the trim is not always right. But if I [unclear, possibly means to connect the output fuel hoses from each tank] together I will have to fill both tanks each time. Any help would be appreciated. Sherm
themclos	posted 04-28-2010 08:38 AM ET (US) My preference is to leave them configured the way you have them now. I don't see a benefit to [connecting the output fuel hoses from each tank] together. I think it adds complexity to a simple boat. Congratulations on your new motor. Dan
burning_hXc_soul	posted 04-28-2010 08:41 AM ET (US) I have a 1963 Eastport and I do what you do now, drain one fuel tank and then switch to another one. I've never noticed a big difference in the trim of the boat to the right or the left with one fuel tank empty since the tanks are so close to the center of the boat. If [the lateral trim of the boat] a [concern] while your underway, you could just move your position on the boat to compensate for it. That's what I have had to do in the past when I've had nine people on my boat. I keep the tanks set up like that because it lets you know how much fuel you have left and how much you have used. It's almost like being on a motorcycle and switching to your reserve tank.
jimh	posted 04-28-2010 08:54 AM ET (US) If you connect two fuel tank outlet hoses together, the engine will draw fuel from both tanks simultaneously. However, there is no guarantee that the rate of flow from each tank will be precisely the same. As a result, the level of fuel in one tank will be lower than the other. When the tank with the lower fuel level has the fuel level drop below the fuel inlet, the fuel system will begin to suck air instead of fuel. It is not a good method for managing fuel in two tanks.
Sherman Mohnike	posted 04-28-2010 09:44 AM ET (US) Thanks to all. Jim, it's was way too early in California for me to write clearly. Sherm
contender	posted 04-28-2010 05:36 PM ET (US) I would leave them separate [as] themclos stated. If you connect both tanks together are you going to use a three way valve? Or, [is the engine] sucking fuel out of each tank at the same time? Then do you have to keep the same amount of fuel in each tank? Then does the engine suck the same amount of fuel out of each tank with the same suction? Does and would one tank empty faster than the other? And if one tank is empty would not the engine be sucking air instead of fuel if you are using both tanks at the same time?
contender	posted 04-28-2010 05:38 PM ET (US) Sorry Jim did not read your answer.
WhalerAce	posted 04-29-2010 11:32 AM ET (US) [Changed topic of discussion to language etymology and back formation of verbs.]
White Bear	posted 04-29-2010 12:08 PM ET (US) [Changed topic of discussion to comment on revisions of original article.]
jimh	posted 04-29-2010 10:26 PM ET (US) Please contact the moderator via email to discuss topics not related to boating.