fueling issues

IBWET · 25 November 2006, 08:27

Just to see if anyone has the problem and solved it.

The boat I have, has just come out manufacturers, during the build process,any idea's I had and mentioned,they had either already encountered/solved /rectified/modified,everything had a reason normally based on function. Nothing I came up with as a good idea (for anything important) was new.

The point I'm making is the vast majority of potential problems/improvements etc, had already been thought of by the builder.

So I'm finding it a little strange when I fill the tanks up at a station the breather pumps approx 1/2 ltr of fuel onto both the tube and the deck no matter how fast/slowly the fuel is going in..

I thought that if the breather exit was threaded then you could screw a flexy pipe on and aim the the surging fuel either in with the main flow (not sure if this is possible based on it's design function) or over the side of the boat or into another container.

anybody had similar ideas?....another one up your street JW.

Downhilldai · 25 November 2006, 09:35

Your problem is probably on account of the combined Filler/breather units used by Ribcraft. On these, the breather is only marginally higher than the filler level, so some surge is inevitable. Where the 2 units are separate, it is common practice to fit the breather higher than the filler, to prevent this occurring.
I have seen anti-surge devices which you fit in the breather hose, but don't know who sells them - try local chandlers?
Also, do you have a loop in your breather hose? This can help.
Finally, when filling the tank, if you keep the fuel hose pistol seal away from the deck filler on the console, this will allow the air in the tank to naturally breathe back out through the filler hose, rather than through the smaller breather hose, which should help prevent the surge.

Biggles · 25 November 2006, 10:36

Don't worry, mine does it as well.

jwalker · 25 November 2006, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBWET

....another one up your street JW.

I'm astounded that a builder designs in this sort of nonsense. You'll need to give me more info on the filling/venting arrangement but it's always late to start solving these problems once everything is built and in place.

I'm unclear as to whether this is the breather vent or a vent to expel air while the tank is being filled.

jwalker · 25 November 2006, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Don't worry, mine does it as well.

And that makes it ok, Biggles?

yeehaa · 25 November 2006, 12:19

put a funnel in the filler and it stops the spiliges

Biggles · 25 November 2006, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

And that makes it ok, Biggles?

No. What I do when it gets near to full is stop filling.

IBWET · 25 November 2006, 14:09

JW - You'll need to give me more info on the filling/venting arrangement

The setup is standard ribcraft with the breather/vent directly above the filler, irespective of the speed the fuel tank is being filled, the first thing you know about the the level is the surge up the breather.I set a fuel meter after filling so want a full tank every time.

I think I should not have to compromise instruments to avoid becoming a fire risk.The pump cutoff never gets a chance to operate.

IBWET · 25 November 2006, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

No. What I do when it gets near to full is stop filling.

Now this one could solve the problem?..... how do you know it's nearly full.

Biggles · 25 November 2006, 14:18

IBWET,

I listen for a change in the sound of the tank filling. You start to hear it getting louder as it gets full. Not very scientific but as you say its a fairly large backlash you get if you get it wrong.

IBWET · 25 November 2006, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Your problem is probably on account of the combined Filler/breather units used by Ribcraft. On these, the breather is only marginally higher than the filler level, so some surge is inevitable. Where the 2 units are separate, it is common practice to fit the breather higher than the filler, to prevent this occurring.
I have seen anti-surge devices which you fit in the breather hose, but don't know who sells them - try local chandlers?
Also, do you have a loop in your breather hose? This can help.
Finally, when filling the tank, if you keep the fuel hose pistol seal away from the deck filler on the console, this will allow the air in the tank to naturally breathe back out through the filler hose, rather than through the smaller breather hose, which should help prevent the surge.

Dai,

I'm just surprised that if it's inevitable it's a poor design. fitting the breather higher would cure it I think?

My question was intended to more along the lines of why they persevere with this arrangement? do they possibly have a safety reason I've not thought of?.

Cheers- I'll try and source an anti-surge device.

Should I really be putting loops in the pipe on a brand new boat when they all appear to be leaving the factory that way? I'm more interested in why a builder apparently Thourgh in all aspect, installs this way?

We've all experienced slow fillers on cars etc, so pulling the noz out a little was the first thing I did, quickly followed by slowing the rate down-then just as quickly by - help me! help me! .

Downhilldai · 25 November 2006, 14:40

If you have a fuel management computer fitted, this should inform you how much fuel you've used, since last filling the tank (assuming you reset it at that time), which will be the amount required to fill it this time. When you're a few litres short of this, slow down the filling.

Not a solution to the inherent problem, but a way of keeping the deck dry.

I think RIbcraft use the PERKO deck fillers because they are neat and avoid the need to run a separate vent fitting. You could always change this yourself if you have a spare half hour and six or seven quid one winter evening.

OceanEco · 25 November 2006, 16:35

Is your filler hose a larger diameter than your vent hose diameter? Also is there an anti-syphon unit on the vent hose.

I have found that the anti syphon on the vent hose restricts the air flow a little bit as well as the filler hose is usually a larger diameter than the vent hose diameter. This causes back pressure and fuel will come out of the filler hose.

Does your problem get worse on days that are hotter?

Roy Smith · 25 November 2006, 17:44

Ours dose it as well, i hear you can get a donut shaped thing that fits over the nosell of the fuel filler gun to stop it shooting back.

bedajim · 26 November 2006, 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Your problem is probably on account of the combined Filler/breather units used by Ribcraft. On these, the breather is only marginally higher than the filler level, so some surge is inevitable. Where the 2 units are separate, it is common practice to fit the breather higher than the filler, to prevent this occurring.
I have seen anti-surge devices which you fit in the breather hose, but don't know who sells them - try local chandlers?
Also, do you have a loop in your breather hose? This can help.
Finally, when filling the tank, if you keep the fuel hose pistol seal away from the deck filler on the console, this will allow the air in the tank to naturally breathe back out through the filler hose, rather than through the smaller breather hose, which should help prevent the surge.

Hi
Try these people they seem to do all things fuel related

www.asap-supplies.com

James

Donnie144 · 28 November 2006, 17:04

I’ve installed one of these and it has solved 90% of my problem. I don’t get any over flow while fueling just gas surging out during trailering. But since I’ve installed this I only get maybe ½ liter.

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/onlin...active/Ntk/All

Jono · 28 November 2006, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

I'm astounded that a builder designs in this sort of nonsense. .......

No you're not, are you? You must have seen, or heard, of all sorts of crap that boatbuilders have done over the years.........

IBWET · 28 November 2006, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnie144

I’ve installed one of these and it has solved 90% of my problem. I don’t get any over flow while fueling just gas surging out during trailering. But since I’ve installed this I only get maybe ½ liter.

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/onlin...active/Ntk/All

Thanks for that lead,I tried to buy one just there but they are out of stock, will keep trying.

jwalker · 28 November 2006, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

No you're not, are you? You must have seen, or heard, of all sorts of crap that boatbuilders have done over the years.........

I am. I think rib builders are perfect. Am I leading a sheltered or deluded life?

BogMonster · 28 November 2006, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

I am. I think rib builders are perfect. Am I leading a sheltered or deluded life?

JW, do you want to buy a fine Humber?