Frank, we kind of discussed this earlier
You may not have seen the replies. Here is some handy information. Maybe not the end all best all way but.... It does make sense. BTW I run a dual 10 micron as primaries, and a 2 micron at the engine secondary. Also the majority here believe the screen at the bottom of the pickup line in the tank can be removed if you are properly filtered i.e. at least a primary and secondary setup. Here's the straight scoop on Racor filters. I have found most guys at the West, Boaters World, BoatUS etc. really don't know what's right, they know what sells though. The 2 micron filters are a secondary filter, made to be an engine filter on engines that don't have one of there own. If you use a 2 micron as a primary filter (the first one the fuel goes to from the tank) you won't get any of the centrifugal action the housing was designed to do for spinning out things that are heavier than fuel, such as water. The last letter in the 2 micron filter part number is "S" for secondary. The 10 micron filter is a transitional filter, made to be used in extreme duty locations as an intermediate filter between the primary and secondary. Again, not much happening in the centrifugal action. The last letter in the 10 micron filter part number is "T". The 30 micron filter is what was designed to be a primary filter, does the job best as the first filter the fuel goes through. Now, all that being said, you can use any filter you want, it is the outcome that is the consideration. With a relatively clean fuel tank you should get about 80 to 100 hours on a 2 micron primary filter, about 4 days underway. That's not very much. If you often sail through jetties and rough water, don't depend on your engine to always get you through if you use a 2 micron filter, a 2 micron will always stop flowing at the most inopportune time. Lastly if you get a Racor element wet with water, it will not allow much fuel to go through. They are water blocking, and when wet fuel blocking too, best place for the water is in the bowl under the element. Drain the bowl as part of the shut down procedure when you are closing up the boat. If the Racor is in a place that is hard to get to, move it. Believe me, if you do regular draining of the filter bowl, your boating experience will only get better. Next time I change mine, I may go 30, 10, 2. Best of luck
