I got tired of manually switching the hose from tank to tank - getting everyone to move about to move cushions and lift seats while bobbing around on the bay.
I run three tanks, the two 12 gallon tanks under the cockpit seats and a 6 gallon one as a reserve in the foot well in front of the pedestal (we cover this to provide more deck room near the companionway).
I bought a Moeller 4-way valve and installed it using two 4-inch PVC end caps and a street 45 degree fitting - cut to fit just behind my left foot when seated at the helm at the front of the motor well. I had to reverse the mounting of the handle.
The unit mounts to a simple angle bracket attached to the boat with two screws.
Used a Moeller 4-way valve (three in, one out), a back-flow preventer fitting (probably overkill) on the engine side, and hose fittings to fit the fuel lines. Used 3/8 inch fittings for existing fuel lines and fittings, two new ones used 5/16 (since only Evinrude tank fittings at the store were 5/16). Packaged using 4 inch plastic pipe fittings. Capped off a street 45 (street fittings have one male and one female end), cut to fit valve and boat contour using my trusty Dremel, added another 4 inch cap inverted to protect the handle. Attached with a small piece of aluminium angle and two screws. Had to reverse the handle by filing a new flat on the valve shaft and cut off the original handle pointer to avoid confusion.
The installation is completely out of the way but I can still reach without raising the seat.
If you only run two tanks, suggest using a three way valve.
RobertB wrote:Used a Moeller 4-way valve (three in, one out), a back-flow preventer fitting (probably overkill) on the engine side, and hose fittings to fit the fuel lines. Used 3/8 inch fittings for existing fuel lines and fittings, two new ones used 5/16 (since only Evinrude tank fittings at the store were 5/16). Packaged using 4 inch plastic pipe fittings. Capped off a street 45 (street fittings have one male and one female end), cut to fit valve and boat contour using my trusty Dremel, added another 4 inch cap inverted to protect the handle. Attached with a small piece of aluminium angle and two screws. Had to reverse the handle by filing a new flat on the valve shaft and cut off the original handle pointer to avoid confusion.
The installation is completely out of the way but I can still reach without raising the seat.
If you only run two tanks, suggest using a three way valve.
How do you check the fuel level without opening the fuel lockers?
EZ wrote:How do you check the fuel level without opening the fuel lockers?
I hold a lighter up to the tank to see the level.
(I'm kidding, I'm kidding)
Cool mod indeed. My tanks have quick disconnects that are easy enough to switch on the go. I don't tend to switch them often or I would definitely do something like this.
EZ wrote:
How do you check the fuel level without opening the fuel lockers?
My general method out on the water is wait until the engine starts sputtering. Now instead of a drunken fire drill, all I need to do is move the valve handle
RobertB - I have also been plagued by the changing of tanks and the associated chaos in the cockpit - your mod, and especially the placing, has come at just the right time - thank you. One question though - how have you routed the starboard fuel line to the valve. I have seen pics of the starboard line routed across the cockpit deck behind the pedestal but don't really like that due to foot traffic and damming of water and other debris. I am considering going into the cabin - can you let us know what you did?
clandes wrote:RobertB - I have also been plagued by the changing of tanks and the associated chaos in the cockpit - your mod, and especially the placing, has come at just the right time - thank you. One question though - how have you routed the starboard fuel line to the valve. I have seen pics of the starboard line routed across the cockpit deck behind the pedestal but don't really like that due to foot traffic and damming of water and other debris. I am considering going into the cabin - can you let us know what you did?
I run the starboard line straight down from the valve to the motor well and then bring it across and then back up to the main deck and tank. It is pretty much out of the way there and there is plenty of line if something snags. The line to the engine is in the same general area.
Many Thanks Rob. Can you believe I didn't think of that option - will look and get back to you when I start the mod. I have to remember the KISS principle!
clandes wrote:RobertB - I have also been plagued by the changing of tanks and the associated chaos in the cockpit - your mod, and especially the placing, has come at just the right time - thank you. One question though - how have you routed the starboard fuel line to the valve. I have seen pics of the starboard line routed across the cockpit deck behind the pedestal but don't really like that due to foot traffic and damming of water and other debris. I am considering going into the cabin - can you let us know what you did?
If you are a total obsessive about inspections and maintenance you could consider running line in the cabin but most should not. I suspect doing this would not conform to best practices due to the risk of fuel flooding below.
I have to remember the KISS principle!