Adding Diesel pump for fuel filter changes

[rebuckley]

I am thinking of spring projects, and one I have considered is adding a small 12v fuel pump on the fuel tank side of my racor filter - so after doing filter changes, it could be run for a short time to refill the system and help bleed out air. The lehman has a small, manual pump lever - but since my racor is so large, I think pushing the fuel would work better.
I post it here - as a question - if someone has done something similar - or for any pump model/style suggestions?
I assume I could just pick up a pump off Amazon, add a small switch and I'm done - but I may not be thinking this through 100%?

[Norseman]

Did that on my sailboat.
Big commercial truck pump, called Johnson or something.
It made bleeding easier and was also a go-home pump in case the lift pump failed.

[crowra]

Is your intent to run the pump with the lid off the filter and watch it fill with fuel? I have an '87 Albin and my Racor slowly fills via gravity when I open the fuel line (with lid off). I have a similar setup to what you are asking out except the pump was installed as a polishing system (by a previous owner). It is on the 'out' side of the Racor and has a valve that I keep in the 'Run' position when not using the pump and a "Polish' position when the pump is running. The "Run' position ties directly to the fuel filter on my engine. The "Polish' position is connected to my return line. I can post a picture if you like.

[jleonard]

I have done that project on my Albin. Picture below. The pump can also be used as a lift pump should the Lehman pump fail. I can also use it to "polish" fuel, but have not had the need to do that.

I might add that if your only intent is to use it to facilitate filter changes, then an outboard engine "squeeze ball" would suffice instead of an electric pump and make it a much easier project.

[RobS]

....I might add that if your only intent is to use it to facilitate filter changes, then an outboard engine "squeeze ball" would suffice instead of an electric pump and make it a much easier project.

Further to Jay's post, here's the squeeze bulb on Seaboard's site if going that route interests you. Be sure to read the info links under Description. Just as Jay points out,, his setup is multi-function but all comes down to what you are looking to accomplish and what you wish to be installing..

https://www.sbmar.com/product/smx-compl ... iming-kit/

[rebuckley]

Thanks to all !!
I am thinking it would eventually lead to a polishing option - so I guess the power pump would be my aim.
Jay - does your set up flow - Tank > Racor 900 > Dual racor 500 > pump?

[jleonard]

Thanks to all !!
I am thinking it would eventually lead to a polishing option - so I guess the power pump would be my aim.
Jay - does your set up flow - Tank > Racor 900 > Dual racor 500 > pump?

Yes you got it!
Between the Racor 500 and the lift pump I have a T with a shut off valve that is closed and plugged.....that is the potential circuit that I could plumb into a filtering )polishing) loop if I ever needed to do that. But honestly with the multi stage filtration set-up (ala Tony Athens) I do not ever see the need.
I rarely ever see any restriction on either gage . Never on the 900 and 2 (in Hg) once in a while on the 500.
My filters usually look like this when I change them (annually).

[rebuckley]

Nice -
One last Q Jay - how do you stage the micron sizes I assume larger in the 900, then progressively smaller through the 2 5's?

[jleonard]

Nice -
One last Q Jay - how do you stage the micron sizes I assume larger in the 900, then progressively smaller through the 2 5's?

The Racor 900 is 30 micron. The 500s are 10 micron. And I believe the 2 on engine filters are 7 micron.

[RobS]

Jay 2 on engine? Is that 2 on the Lehman, or one Lehman, one genset?

[rebuckley]

Thx Jay -

Right now mine is similar - I have the 900 and the two on the main - thinking about adding the 500's for a future polishing set up - that is some awesome filtration!!

[jleonard]

Jay 2 on engine? Is that 2 on the Lehman, or one Lehman, one genset?

Rob, The Lehman on engine filter is a dual canister set up.

I have a separate Racor 500 (single element) ahead of the genny, and there is a small on engine filter.

[RobS]

She has more filters than she goes in knots!

[jleonard]

She has more filters than she goes in knots!

OUCH!!!!

[rebuckley]

She has more filters than she goes in knots!

But those are very clean knots!