Electric Fuel Pump

RichH · Jan 4, 2013

I would recommend simply putting a standard 12vdc diesel compatible pump at near the tank and forget about any 'branch lines'. The type of pump to be selected should have poppit type check valves that allow fuel flow when the pump is not energized. Most auto supply shops that cater to 'truck mechanics' will have them (2-3 gph capacity 'impulse diaphragm' type pumps will handle most small boat diesels). You can wire such a pump so that you can energize to bleed the fuel distribution system .... or can energize the pump when a valve breaks in the standard engine lift pump and use the 12vdc as a 'backup'. This 'series' arrangement would require NO 'valving'.
For marine 'code' applications choose a Walbro, etc. 12vdc pump.

Paul F · Jan 4, 2013

Believe your fuel plan should work. Years ago I put in a generic Airtex #E8012S electric fuel pump from Auto Zone. It worked very well. In your plan the fuel should continue to flow after the electric pump is turned off if the manual bulb line is full of fuel which it might be as the electric pump will run the fuel back through the line.

RichH · Jan 4, 2013

Yes, but with one quite important addition --- onlyuse a CG approved *ignition protected* 12vdc pump and locate it HIGH in the fuel system so it doesn't trap water and 'rot' the check valves (configure the pump with inlet on top, exit on bottom .... vertical in/out alignment so it cant trap water IN the pump).

Sumner · Jan 4, 2013

FourPoints said:
I did some searching through the Airtex website and found the E8251, which is listed as a universal marine fuel pump. Thoughts?

EDIT1: google search is indicating the E8251 pump is USCG approved, but I cannot find hard evidence to confirm this.

EDIT2: Called company, confirmed it is USCG rated, and stamped on pump casing. Pump also allows unrestricted flow of fuel when powered off, so I could go straight through and eliminate the dual leg, and still maintain the manual primer in case the elec pump fails.

I bought...

... an E8251 the other day for $38 from here...

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?parttype=6256

...and plan on using it with diesel similar to what Rich said. I'm hoping that fuel should flow through it when not on as I'll only use it to prime if that is needed and as a backup to the standard lift pump on the Perkins 4-108. I talked to the manufacture and one problem I might have is they don't like to see it trying to lift more than 2 feet which might be a problem on the Endeavour way the tank/engine are positioned.

First I'm going to use it with a couple filters separately from the fuel system to polish the fuel that is in the tank now like they showed in Good Old Boat. It if works I'll probably buy a second pump and use one exclusively for one application and the other for cleaning the fuel, but it will be there also as a spare.

If you have any concerns I'd call one of their techs and run it past them.

Does the 2 stroke have a fuel pump? When I put the internal tank for the outboard in the Mac I worried about it lifting the fuel from the tank in the lazarette but it has not been a problem. I have a bulb on it and used it one time to prime the system and never after that,

Sum

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RichH · Jan 4, 2013

"Wouldn't any gasoline rated fuel pump already be by definition, ignition protected?"

Not necessarily. Most 12vdc gasoline fuel pumps are used in automotive applications which allows heavier than air gasoline vapor to vent down through the chassis spaces to the open 'ground'. *Ignition Protected* rating is similar to 'explosion proof' for use in hazardous spaces ... like a boat bilge.

Sumner · Jan 4, 2013

FourPoints said:
I just did the same.

Going to hook up as follows:
View attachment 59894

I just looked at the pump and on the pump itself it says...

Meets Coast Guard Standards #33COFR183

...and the instructions say to follow them to meet the standards. Don't see anything unusual in them unless the batter is nearby.

It does say that you should mount a filter before the pump to protect it. On my street rod I have a pre-filter before the pump and a smaller micron filter after the pump, but the second is there if I change to fuel injection.

The way I'll use the pump to polish the fuel will use this filter....

http://www.fleetfilter.com/filter/wix-filter-bases/33405.html

...to pump from the tank to another container then this....

http://www.fleetfilter.com/mm5/merc...fleetfilter&Product_Code=33374&Category_Code=

...smaller micro filter going back into the tank after it is cleaned. I'll probably then use another clean filter like the first between the tank and the electric pump if I put one in line between it and the lift pump. I bought one of these...

http://www.fleetfilter.com/mm5/merc...fleetfilter&Product_Code=24770&Category_Code=

...to mount the filter,

Sum

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Chris Patterson · Jan 4, 2013

I do know one thing about that. You can NOT do better than a Wix. I've had a lot of dealings with them, (not associated now, so not a plug), and I consider them second to none. When you cut a filter apart, as I've done many times with theirs and others, the difference is amazingly evident.

Oh yeah, Wix builds NAPA filters. Exact same product, just the first number lopped off.

Sumner · Jan 4, 2013

Chris Patterson said:
....Oh yeah, Wix builds NAPA filters. Exact same product, just the first number lopped off.

Yep the ones that came were actually in NAPA Gold boxes (same as I use for our vehicles and very good filters). I actually chose them as you can get them pretty cheap and they will probably plug up fairly quickly as we use them to clean the fuel,

Sum

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