Replacing Primary Filter with Racor - Capacity ??

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Duane Cady

Hi - Im currently troubleshooting a fuel/engine issue with my Yanmar 2GMF/1985 Hunter 31. Currently, it uses a Perko primary fuel filter - no see-through bowl, and I cant budge the thing - so Im going to replace it with a Racor, as I have heard great things about these filters. Anyone have any suggestions ? Looks like Im gonna get the 215R2 or the 230R2 - spin-on filters with primer pump. Is there any harm in getting the larger capacity (30GPM) filter ? The calculations go like this: Fuel feed pump capacity = .3 liter/min at 1000 RPM From that, I assume that it would pull .9 liter/min at 3000 RPM (probably wrong, but...) This calculates out to roughly 14 gallons/hour at 3000 RPM (nominal operating RPM). There are 2 Racors available - the 15 GPM and the 30 GPM models. Is bigger better ? or are there penalties ? Would either of them work ok ? Thanks in advance. Duane
 
K

Ken Palmer

Desn't sound right.

I think that using the fuel pump "capacity" is the maximum number, not that actual number. My 2GM on my H33 will motor at 2700 rpm for 4 hours using 1/4 tank or so. That isn't anywhere near 14 gallons an hour. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
 
R

Royce

I use the 15gpm

I have a 76 h30 that used to have a one cyclinder yanmar and I had installed a 15 gpm Racor filter on. I keep the filter when I repowered with a 3 cyclinder Vetus and have not had any problems. The filter elements for the 15 are available from West Marine and alot of other sources. I'm not sure on the 30. I also liked the small size of the 15. Hope this helps. Royce
 
S

Steve O.

GPH

Your 2GM20 will burn at the most 1 qt. per hour at cruising rpm (aprox. 2800) so the larger capacity filter is overkill, the 15 gph filter is more than enough.
 
D

Duane Cady

Thanks !!

Good Deal - Thanks all for your responses. Gonna go with the 215R2 spin-on. It has a built-in priming pump ... Thanks again ! Duane
 
L

Les Andersen

Fuel Flow

Duane, Just to cloud the issue. Remember that the greater amount of the fuel flow through the filter will be returned to the fuel tank through the fuel return lines. It never gets into the cylinders. That means you cannot base your fuel filter requirements on the amount of fuel burned. You might find out what the flow is through your Perko filter and just match it. Also the greater filtering capacity of the 230 means it will be less likely to become clogged up with whatever you filter out. i.e. less likely to fail and kill the engine at some inconvient time. It is very likely that the 215 would be fine for your engine but your decision should not be based on your burn rate. Might try the Racor and Perko websites for more information. v/r Les Andersen S/V Mutual Fun
 
J

Jim Logan

16 hp = approximately 1 gallon/hour

A small diesel engine operating properly (correct pitch prop, not overloaded) will burn approximately 1 gallon per hour to put out 16 hp. So a boat with a 2GM (max 18 hp) should burn less than one gallon per hour when running at less than max rpm and not overloaded - This holds true for most small diesel engines - has to do with the amount of energy available per pound of diesel fuel when combined with oxygen to burn in the engine. That's why you can figure 1 gal/hr of run time with the 2 cylinder yanmars and have fuel reserve left. I posted this since someone said a quart per hour - not unless the engine is putting out very little horsepower - diesels burn fuel in proportion to the amount of horsepower demanded from them.
 
D

Duane Cady

Its the feed pump flow

Yeah - good point on the overflow/return - thats probably what allows the feed pump to use such an inprecise pump mechanism (arm that rides a cam that rotates with the engine rpm), if I read my yanmar manual correctly. In any case, looks like the 15 GPH provides plenty of capacity. Thanks again all. Duane
 
P

Paul Akers

Check web site

Duane, check the Racor web site )Parker) at the following URL. Then call them for precise advise. http://www.parker.com/parkersql/default.asp?type=2&id=27
 
Status
Not open for further replies.