3 Way Fuel Valve

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 14:52

Afternoon Gents,

I currently have a set up of 2 Quicksilver 25L fuel tanks under my rear bench.

I have yet to use my rib however I have been thinking...

At the moment on running out of fuel in one tank, I would have to open the bench and mess about trying to swap the fuel lines over.

Is there anyway I could get another fuel tank connector & pipe.

Have two pipes from the tanks going into a little isolator sort of thing.

When one runs out switch it over by turning a valve?

Obviously the pipe coming out would go to the priming bulb then the engine.

Does anybody know if and where I can purchase one of these on-line?

And a new fuel tank connector & pipe?

Attached image of how I think I would like it.

Thank you in advance for your help.;

bedajim · 31 January 2013, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Afternoon Gents,

I currently have a set up of 2 Quicksilver 25L fuel tanks under my rear bench.

I have yet to use my rib however I have been thinking...

At the moment on running out of fuel in one tank, I would have to open the bench and mess about trying to swap the fuel lines over.

Is there anyway I could get another fuel tank connector & pipe.

Have two pipes from the tanks going into a little isolator sort of thing.

When one runs out switch it over by turning a valve?

Obviously the pipe coming out would go to the priming bulb then the engine.

Does anybody know if and where I can purchase one of these on-line?

And a new fuel tank connector & pipe?

Attached image of how I think I would like it.

Thank you in advance for your help.;

Hi

Would you not need two priming bulbs to refill the filter etc and feed both tanks to one filter ?

Have a look here

Marine, Automotive, and Industrial Parts and Spares - A.S.A.P Supplies

Jim

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Hi

Would you not need two priming bulbs to refill the filter etc and feed both tanks to one filter ?

Have a look here

Marine, Automotive, and Industrial Parts and Spares - A.S.A.P Supplies

Jim

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

Although im not sure, one fuel tank would be isolated whilst the other is in use, I am guessing that it would go -

Tank - Fuel Switch - Bulb

So I think I will just use the current set up of 1 :/

:S confused myself haha

Tim M · 31 January 2013, 15:40

Your best bet would be to install a fuel filter/separator which has two inputs on it, inside the locker. You could then fit an on/off tap to each of the inputs, with a hose from that running to the fuel tank. You then simply need a single hose coming off that filter in the conventional manner, with a priming bulb on it, running to your engine.

matt h · 31 January 2013, 15:41

on Ribs in use this, on Sibs however i would keep it simply and just use one pipe to a single tank and swap over manually. the Tohatsu and/or Suzuki are the easiest to change

Tim M · 31 January 2013, 15:43

Or, much more simple (than my rambling above) simply fit quick release connections to the tanks. You then only need one fuel hose - just take it off one tank and connect onto the other when the time comes.

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 15:59

Thanks.

I am looking to avoid manually changing the pipes because once the tanks are in and full I would struggle to do it because of the way they are in. Would something like this work?

It would be quite cheap too!

Y Piece Brass Joiner 1/4" (6mm) 3 Way Fuel Hose Connector | eBay

INLINE ATV QUAD BIKE PETROL FUEL TAP ON OFF SWITCH 90cc 110cc 125cc 140cc 200cc | eBay

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2013, 16:05

I think the "quad bike tap" would be too restrictive, so I'd go a min of 8mm bore size with a 3 way valve

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

I think the "quad bike tap" would be too restrictive, so I'd go a min of 8mm bore size with a 3 way valve

Cheers,

Do you know where I could get one of these 8mm Valves?

Locozodiac · 31 January 2013, 16:23

Which engine is it ? Have a open 420 rib, for long cruising activities have installed two 6 gal tanks, one located at bow, other at middle deck, each with it' own priming bulb connected to two independent fuel connectors located at front engine. There's a internal plastic Y that connects both rear connectors to fuel pump entrance.

For selecting tank, open any tank air vent and close the opposite, when engine starts to miss due to low fuel level, open second tank vent and close first. Will need to prime tank 1 till bulb is firm, prime tank 2 till you see fuel exiting FM connector (must keep valve open with finger, pen, point whatever when primming) then connect to second male connector. This is to have a filled fuel line for the engine to demand fuel inmediately from second tank when needed and avoid priming second tank bulb again when underway.

This is a dual tank Tohatsu 18 horse, can use single or dual tanks depending on your outing. Being a open rib can't use a fuel selector.

Happy Boating

gotchiguy · 31 January 2013, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Which engine is it ? Have a open 420 rib, for long cruising activities have installed two 6 gal tanks, one located at bow, other at middle deck, each with it' own priming bulb connected to two independent fuel connectors located at front engine. There's a internal plastic Y that connects both rear connectors to fuel pump entrance.

For selecting tank, open any tank air vent and close the opposite, when engine starts to miss due to low fuel level, open second tank vent and close first. Will need to prime tank 1 till bulb is firm, prime tank 2 till you see fuel exiting FM connector (must keep valve open with finger, pen, point whatever when primming) then connect to second male connector so to have a filled fuel line for the engine to demand fuel inmediately from second tank.

This is a dual tank Tohatsu 18 horse, can use single or dual tanks depending on your outing. Being a open rib can't use a fuel selector.

Happy Boating

That makes sense...just use the Y-connector and close the air vents when not needed? Or alternatively leave both open the whole time, what would be the issue with that...?

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

That makes sense...just use the Y-connector and close the air vents when not needed? Or alternatively leave both open the whole time, what would be the issue with that...?

That sounds perfect, I can easily get to the vents.

So I will just need a new tube, Tank connector & Y connector.

Am right in presuming if I close the vent of one tank and open the other the fuel will only be taken from the open?

And is it possible just to leave both tank vents open? Will the engine just take fuel from both then until empty? That would be ideal!

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2013, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

And is it possible just to leave both tank vents open? Will the engine just take fuel from both then until empty? That would be ideal!

If both tanks have fuel it'd work, but once one runs out you'll be sucking air, maybe running lean and pop the motor.

Don't be cheap, do it properly!

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

If both tanks have fuel it'd work, but once one runs out you'll be sucking air, maybe running lean and pop the motor.

Don't be cheap, do it properly!

Good Point!

I just need to find one of these damn 3 way valves!

Help anyone?!

gotchiguy · 31 January 2013, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Good Point!

I just need to find one of these damn 3 way valves!

Help anyone?!

Try this

Dirk Diggler · 31 January 2013, 17:45

FUEL VALVES 2 / 3 PORT MANUAL & ELECTRICAL

andyhuddy · 31 January 2013, 20:08

Cheers for the links.

Is 1/4" diameter large enough?

simon23 · 31 January 2013, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Cheers,

Do you know where I could get one of these 8mm Valves?

You can get 8mm taps suitable for fuel from toolstation cheap.they have a base with two holes in them so you could fix them something on the inside of your bench.only problem is they are conpression fitting so you would have to put a stub of pipe in the comression fitting and slide you fuel tube over it with a clip.maybe you could make whole spliter bit in copper?