Fellow sailors, As the season closes here and we winterize our boats I am going to use an additive to my fuel and top the tank out. Has anyone here used K-100 D fuel additive and were they satisfied with it. It is advertised as a cetane booster, algae inhibitor and mositure remover. Any experience with it? Or other recommendations? Thanks, Bob Alden h30 - Summer's Glory Lake Ontario
- Status
Empty the Tank!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diesel is not like fine wine.....it doesn't get better with age. Why use old fuel full of stabilizers and biocides etc etc when you can fill the tank with fresh new fuel in the spring???? Not to mention the stress of a couple of hundred pounds of fuel while sitting on the keel for 6 months.
Diesel is not like fine wine.....it doesn't get better with age. Why use old fuel full of stabilizers and biocides etc etc when you can fill the tank with fresh new fuel in the spring???? Not to mention the stress of a couple of hundred pounds of fuel while sitting on the keel for 6 months.
Full Tank = little condensation
While no one can argue that fresh fuel is better, the general consensus is that fuel stored over the winter (with the appropriate additives) is better than water in your tank from condensation. A full tank has little room for air, and thus moisture, and thus the possibility for condensation.
While no one can argue that fresh fuel is better, the general consensus is that fuel stored over the winter (with the appropriate additives) is better than water in your tank from condensation. A full tank has little room for air, and thus moisture, and thus the possibility for condensation.
Condensation?
If the tank is empty then it is at the same temperature inside and out = ambient air temperature. Why would there be any condensation?
If the tank is empty then it is at the same temperature inside and out = ambient air temperature. Why would there be any condensation?
ok ... so I'll take that back ...
Ok ... so that is the consensus among many (many books espouse this), but here's a good explanation of why it doesn't matter. I suppose that leaving your tank partially filled with fuel and the appropriate additives is easier than draning your tank and storing/disposing of the fuel? Chris
Ok ... so that is the consensus among many (many books espouse this), but here's a good explanation of why it doesn't matter. I suppose that leaving your tank partially filled with fuel and the appropriate additives is easier than draning your tank and storing/disposing of the fuel? Chris
If the tank is empty and warm because
the air is warm the ammount of air in the tank will be reletive to the temperature. As the air and the tank cool the tank will inhale just a little. If the relative humidity is high enough at the time the tank cools then if the temperature drops below the dew point the water vapor inside the tank will condense. If it doesn't get warm enough for long enough to vaporize the condensate and the cycle repeats then liquid water will begin to accumulate.
the air is warm the ammount of air in the tank will be reletive to the temperature. As the air and the tank cool the tank will inhale just a little. If the relative humidity is high enough at the time the tank cools then if the temperature drops below the dew point the water vapor inside the tank will condense. If it doesn't get warm enough for long enough to vaporize the condensate and the cycle repeats then liquid water will begin to accumulate.
So far?so good
I just fill the tank all the way in the late fall just before I cover the boat. Never once had a problem. I do change filters regularly though. It may also be because I pull the boat in November and put back in early April. Not too much warm temperature swing.
I just fill the tank all the way in the late fall just before I cover the boat. Never once had a problem. I do change filters regularly though. It may also be because I pull the boat in November and put back in early April. Not too much warm temperature swing.
Chris I love That link!!!!
I haven't believed the condensation myth for years. Every since my boat's PO explained it to me. He is an airline pilot and deals with condensation regularly. His advice that I've followed is "keep a minimum amount of fuel in the tank to prevent growth of algea etc." So I usually have about 1/4 tank of fuel which at a quart and hour gives me an easy 20 hours of motoring. Since I usually motor less than 4 hours /month that means that I add fresh fuel 3-4 times a year. My fuel is less than 6 months old on average. No water in my tank. The cynical me thinks that the myth of condensation is kept alive by people that know better but sell fuel stabilizers or fuel polishing services. Everyone needs to make a living but I hate to see fellow sailers exploited. But myths can take on a life of their own. There is a myth in Georgia that black snakes can mate with rattle snakes producing a hybrid poisonus black snake(that needs to be killed). Even though biologists repeatedly try to explain that this is like a crow mating with a red tailed hawk the myth persists. Seen any red tailed crows lately????
I haven't believed the condensation myth for years. Every since my boat's PO explained it to me. He is an airline pilot and deals with condensation regularly. His advice that I've followed is "keep a minimum amount of fuel in the tank to prevent growth of algea etc." So I usually have about 1/4 tank of fuel which at a quart and hour gives me an easy 20 hours of motoring. Since I usually motor less than 4 hours /month that means that I add fresh fuel 3-4 times a year. My fuel is less than 6 months old on average. No water in my tank. The cynical me thinks that the myth of condensation is kept alive by people that know better but sell fuel stabilizers or fuel polishing services. Everyone needs to make a living but I hate to see fellow sailers exploited. But myths can take on a life of their own. There is a myth in Georgia that black snakes can mate with rattle snakes producing a hybrid poisonus black snake(that needs to be killed). Even though biologists repeatedly try to explain that this is like a crow mating with a red tailed hawk the myth persists. Seen any red tailed crows lately????
I used it
on a recommandation from a dock mate that owns a trucking company. He has a fleet of 20 diesel trucks and this is what he puts in all of them. Tried it this summer and had no problems with running the engine at all. I am removing all the fuel this spring and will be installing a inspection port in my tank and cleaning it out. Some how the O ring on the tank fill cap was found missing and I suspect some water has entered the tank. Especially with the monsooooone rains we had this summer. I'll polish the fuel and only return about 1/2 a tank 12-15 gals. some of this fuel has been in the tank for 4 years. Turn the key and she still fires up and runs, due to some medical problems with the family we probably won't sail everyday like we've done in the past,thats why I'll only put in 1/2 or less for the summer.
on a recommandation from a dock mate that owns a trucking company. He has a fleet of 20 diesel trucks and this is what he puts in all of them. Tried it this summer and had no problems with running the engine at all. I am removing all the fuel this spring and will be installing a inspection port in my tank and cleaning it out. Some how the O ring on the tank fill cap was found missing and I suspect some water has entered the tank. Especially with the monsooooone rains we had this summer. I'll polish the fuel and only return about 1/2 a tank 12-15 gals. some of this fuel has been in the tank for 4 years. Turn the key and she still fires up and runs, due to some medical problems with the family we probably won't sail everyday like we've done in the past,thats why I'll only put in 1/2 or less for the summer.
Winter time
Man I feel for all of you living up there on the frozen tundra. I am currently on my way to New Jersey to pick up a 37' Seidelman I just bought. But I am heading south immediately. In this area, New Orleans, our sailing season is going strong now, and lasts all winter long. May be a few days in Jan or Feb when it's a little chilly but we mostly sail our boats year round. Except of course when a hurricane is headed this way, then we run for cover.
Man I feel for all of you living up there on the frozen tundra. I am currently on my way to New Jersey to pick up a 37' Seidelman I just bought. But I am heading south immediately. In this area, New Orleans, our sailing season is going strong now, and lasts all winter long. May be a few days in Jan or Feb when it's a little chilly but we mostly sail our boats year round. Except of course when a hurricane is headed this way, then we run for cover.
- Status