How To Install a Remote Aux Fuel Tank

[trippledigitss]

Hey guys,

I have a Striper 1851 WA with 3L VP I/O and I bought a 3 gal Yamaha portable fuel tank that I want to install as a remote fuel tank as a backup in case I run out of gas or have fuel issues in my main tank.

Looking for advice on how to plumb it to my main and kicker motors with a shutoff valve and/or wye that I can just switch if & when I need it? My kicker is plumbed to my main fuel supply, the main motor and kicker are connected to the fuel filter which pulls from the main (and currently only) fuel tank.

Any suggestions and advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

everything you need to know about marine fuel systems and what you can and cant do is covered in the coast guard builders manual. it covers the required EPA compliant

http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/ABYC.1002.01.pdf

I personally wouldnt add a second tank, as the venting and valving required to be compliant and safe is a pain in the back side. That, and a seldom-used second tank is just asking for fuel to go bad by the time you intend to use it.

 

[trippledigitss]

Hey Scott, thanks for the info. Yeah I thought about the gas sitting there unused and going bad but I would just make a point to use it and refresh it on a regular basis. It is one more thing to have to deal with but I regularly am in areas where either there are no refueling stations close by, or am far away from any land, like 15 miles plus. I have never had an serious issue with bad gas, or actually running out of gas, but my fuel gauge went goofy on me when I was out last week and I thought I had a 1/2 tank and I actually had less than an 1/8th. Fortunately I was on a lake and only about 3miles from fuel but it renewed my concern about having backup fuel.

I was just planning on using this portable tank that is made for an outboard and mounting it in my engine compartment. My old boat was an outboard and I ran it off three 6 gal portable tanks so I figured this would essentially be the same configuration and I would just vent it with the little vent in the cap. I figured if I was using the spare tank it would likely be for my kicker thinking there would be a problem with the main but I guess that wouldnt necessarily be the case.

One thing that does concern me is having a fuel tank inside the engine compartment, especially when I am not using the aux tank and running the main engine. Any spillage or unexpected venting could be a really bad deal. That issue alone is the one that concerns me enough to question installing it at all.

I dont know, just in the minutes of reading your reply and my own response I am starting to agree this might not be the best idea. But I do wish I had a way to have a backup supply of fuel without having to store a can of gas in the boat at all times. I guess before I make a move on an aux tank I should be finding out what in the heck is the deal with my fuel gauge!!

 

[Bondo]

Any spillage or unexpected venting could be a really bad deal. That issue alone is the one that concerns me enough to question installing it at all.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Sounds like an Explosive idea,.....

Enough so, to find another way,....

I'm blessed with twin tanks,....

Gasoline management in an I/O is more critical, gas fumes sink,...

 

[trippledigitss]

Thanks Bondo! Yeah I think I have to agree that you are both correct - bad idea. Better to admit it now vs find out the hard way - as in - my soul is floating overhead and looking down at my burning and exploded boat!!

Dang it!

MOD EDIT - Sorry can't do that.