To T or not to T

[jusfloatin]

That's my question.

I will be installing twin fuel tanks onto my pontoon boat but I am thinking of "T"ing the fuel line from the twin tanks to the engine.
I also was thinking of just 1 fill spot and tying the twins together with a 1" line.

I know that I need to place the tanks so the pickup line on the tanks is facing the engine.
I also intent is to use copper line between the tanks as well as the fuel line to the engine but with a foot or two gas line hose for the pump ball to the engine.
My intent is to use 2 GMC saddle tanks which would be mounted one on each side and then build a bench seat over top to enclose them.

So to T or not to T that is my question.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: To T or not to T

Since the tanks will never be perfectly level with each other a single fuel line will suck air as you will never draw equally from both tanks and both tanks will almost never contain exactly the same amount of fuel. Moreover, when that happens you will have no choice but to add fuel to the empty tank to get under way again. One tank will always empty before the other. There is a very simple solution to dual tanks and that is a very simple fuel selector valve. They are available as mechanical or electrical just like the truck the tanks came off of.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: To T or not to T

That's my question.

I will be installing twin fuel tanks onto my pontoon boat but I am thinking of "T"ing the fuel line from the twin tanks to the engine.
I also was thinking of just 1 fill spot and tying the twins together with a 1" line.

I know that I need to place the tanks so the pickup line on the tanks is facing the engine.
I also intent is to use copper line between the tanks as well as the fuel line to the engine but with a foot or two gas line hose for the pump ball to the engine.
My intent is to use 2 GMC saddle tanks which would be mounted one on each side and then build a bench seat over top to enclose them.

So to T or not to T that is my question.

Good to see your still progressing with your build. Did you end up getting the missing parts of your kit from the original mfg. or source them elsewhere?

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: To T or not to T

Since the tanks will never be perfectly level with each other a single fuel line will suck air as you will never draw equally from both tanks and both tanks will almost never contain exactly the same amount of fuel. Moreover, when that happens you will have no choice but to add fuel to the empty tank to get under way again. One tank will always empty before the other. There is a very simple solution to dual tanks and that is a very simple fuel selector valve. They are available as mechanical or electrical just like the truck the tanks came off of.

Silvertip you are one of handful of members on this board that I take what you say as fact.

But I have to question the part that both tanks will never have the same amount in them.
I am of the belief that the 1' line between the tanks would work as a leveler as long as both tanks are vented properly ( which is something I forgot to post earlier) . I understand that one could be fill up more if weight is moved to one side but being it is a pontoon boat would it make that much of a difference.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: To T or not to T

Good to see your still progressing with your build. Did you end up getting the missing parts of your kit from the original mfg. or source them elsewhere?

No I was not able to but I have decided to build my own.

Thanks to many of the members of this site that have posted pictures of there boats for one reason or anouther have giving me a good idea of what I need.

As you know I only recieved the logs so I need to build the frame. That and the fact that this pontoon kit boat can only be registered as a home built has givin me room to build to suit.

I have decided to go big on the HP as to the reason for the twin tanks.
The design of the frame have allowed for a maximum 500lbs of motor to work with.

 

[BBDAWG]

Re: To T or not to T

I did this dual tank mod on a van years ago and I did the "T" with a 1 1/4 inch connector between the tanks and a single fill. that was a terrible mistake!!
The tanks took forever to fill. for some reason when the first tank filled it slowed the 2nd tank to a trickle. Maybe today's technology is different but as I said, it was a terrible setup before..

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: To T or not to T

It would be better to draw from one tank than use a "t". A 1" leveler line would not be overpowered by the fuel consumption of a large motor. You would need to have fillers and vents for both tanks.