Changing petrol tanks in a choppy sea

scousefreddy · 16 August 2006, 00:07

I have 2 removable tanks in my RIB. I'm just wondering what the best advice is if I found myself having to change tanks in a choppy sea? I'm concerned about turning the engine off and getting swamped or tipped over. Is the best thing to use a paddle and avoid being side on to the waves?

Nos4r2 · 16 August 2006, 02:14

If you change tanks before they run out your engine will run for long enough at tickover in gear while disconnected to change the hoses and keep steerage way.

Of course, that depends on whether or not you can reach to change tanks with your killcord on?

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If you made up a 2 into 1 fuel line and have manually opening breathers on your tanks then in theory you should be able to switch tanks just by opening the breather of the tank you want to use and closing the other one?

Limey Linda · 16 August 2006, 03:40

My prefernce would be to use a Y connection with shut off valves on each of the two legs. When you think you have used up 1/2 of your first tank change over to the second. Do not rely on fuel gauges, use a dipstick. In this way you have 1/2 a tank in reserve just in case you misjudged or had an unexpected emergency.

Regards, T.

BogMonster · 16 August 2006, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

My prefernce would be to use a Y connection with shut off valves on each of the two legs. When you think you have used up 1/2 of your first tank change over to the second. Do not rely on fuel gauges, use a dipstick. In this way you have 1/2 a tank in reserve just in case you misjudged or had an unexpected emergency.

Regards, T.

I would have thought connecting them all the time and using a changeover valve of the type you would find to switch between left/right wing tanks in a light aircraft would be the best solution. Switching off the fuel in a Cessna is not recommended

the changeover switch in a light aircraft has four positions, left tank, right tank, both tanks and off.