One Tank for Main & Kicker

[michaelnel]

Hi

I have a small boat with a 2015 Mercury 50HP 4 stroke EFI and a 2017 Tohatsu 6HP 4 stroke. I would like to find a fuel / water separator that will allow one tank to be used for both motors. I have searched iboats.com and was not able to find one with one inlet and two outlets.

Alternately, perhaps a single input & single output one with a 2 way valve to direct fuel to the motor in use. I will never want to run both motors at the same time.

Thanks
Michael

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can get a manual fuel switch, however if you forget to switch it over, you run the risk of wrecking the outboard fuel pump. usually best to have two separate pickups in the tank or if you have a portable tank, connect the tank to the motor you intend to use.

are you running off of an in-floor tank or a portable?

 

[Bondo]

I would like to find a fuel / water separator that will allow one tank to be used for both motors. I have searched iboats.com and was not able to find one with one inlet and two outlets.

Ayuh,.... Every filter housin' I've seen has 2 inlets, 'n 2 outlets, with pipe plugs in the unused holes,....

 

[Redrig]

Ayuh,.... Every filter housin' I've seen has 2 inlets, 'n 2 outlets, with pipe plugs in the unused holes,....

yup, I am doing this mod too. Right now I have a manual valve to swithc between main and kicker . but all the fuel water seperators for the most part have 2 inlets and 2 outlets , so you will just plug the other inlet and be good to go .

look at the flow direction arrows on this guy .

http://www.iboats.com/Mallory-9-3785...view_id.365310

 

[michaelnel]

are you running off of an in-floor tank or a portable?

I am running a 6 gallon portable for the 50hp and a 3 gallon portable for the 6hp. I could continue just doing that, but it's awkward having both those tanks back there.

 

[michaelnel]

you can get a manual fuel switch, however if you forget to switch it over, you run the risk of wrecking the outboard fuel pump.

Can you explain how that would wreck the fuel pump? People purposely run outboards out of gas before storage, how is having a switch different?

 

[Scott Danforth]

stretches the diaphragm.

 

[Redrig]

Can you explain how that would wreck the fuel pump? People purposely run outboards out of gas before storage, how is having a switch different?

I have forgot to switch my valve back to the "main" when I was using the kicker and yeah , I wouldnt want to do that again . Its not running it dry . The valve is completely closed I would imagine that cant be good on a fuel pump...... sucking on a closed line , eventually that would rip something right ?

Thats the main reason I am swithcing to this fuel water seperator method as well , then I dont have to worry about switching the manual valve.