Elbows on Racor fuel/water separator? +Splashwell location

Sunbeam

Short question:
How many of you have 90º elbow fittings coming off the Racor filter, and do you have any fuel starvation problems?

Background:
I'm trying to decide where to mount my Racor fuel/water separator. Originally the boat had a large/crusty Racor on the inside of the transom above the sump, but I have tossed that filter and filled those holes, so I have a clean slate.

That same, under-splashwell location would be nice for hose routing, but I'm a bit concerned about spilling fuel into that area when servicing the filter, and/or hitting it with stuff I toss under there.

So, the outside splashwell location is looking good Thumbs Up

I think I can make a small cover for it to reduce corrosion. The remaining decision points are exact location and hose routing. I looked at as many photos as I could find in the albums - there is quite a variety of locations. I mean, they are all in the same general area, but some are above the boot, some beside it, some more aft or forward.... I wonder which is best since I have a clean slate?

I originally ordered straight fittings to lead the hoses into the Racor, but in the splashwell it looks like that would make for some big, messy hose loops. I saw that many of the filters in the album photos had 90º elbows coming off them and that made for very tidy hose routing. I thought I had read that was a bad idea, but it looks like a lot of people use them and are apparently putting along just fine. I can't find what my Yamaha "drinks" per hour in the manual, and the elbow people were not able to really help with a flow rate reduction (just the diameter inside the elbow). I'm sure a physics person could figure this out, but on the other hand, as long as I know that many of you have the elbow fittings and no problems, that seems like it should be good enough? I would really like to get the fittings ordered and decide on an exact location for the filter.

My 22 has an 80hp Yamaha and an 8hp Honda. Both will run through the filter (but not at the same time).

BTW, I have read all the old threads on this, but didn't find too much specifically about elbows or exactly where on the splashwell (I did find lots of basics about splashwell vs. inside transom, which was good reading).

Thanks!

Sunbeam Hot

thataway · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:16 pm Post subject:

No problem with "elbows" on the Racor as long as they are sized correctly. I have used them on large diesels, as well as outboards.

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject:

Okay, great! When you say sized correctly, do you mean simply that they be, say, 1/4" male NPT to 5/16" hose barb (those are the sizes of my Racor inlet/outlet and fuel hose)?

Darn, should have posted here before I spent an hour trying to figure this out through "official" channels Very Happy

If anyone has comments on where is good to position it in the splashwell, and/or "darn, if I were going to mount this again I would move it up/over/down, etc." I'm all ears.

Thanks,
Sunbeam

colobear · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:39 pm Post subject:

Ours is on the starboard wall of the transom splashwell and is about 6-8" down from the top. It has been in that location for about 3 years with no trouble at all. I kept it high to make changing filters easier; I can get a strap wrench on it easily and it is high enough to allow me to put a bucket under it when making the filter change. I originally planned to make a protective cover but didn't and now don't see a need to.

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:00 pm Post subject:

k-p pelican · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:44 pm Post subject: fuel filter location

My Racor filter is mounted on the starbord side of the splashwell. The filter is just high enough to place a small pan under it so I can drain water or change the element. It has a 90 deg. elbow for the inlet and outlet with a quick disconect on the outlet side. This allowes me to change the outlet line from the main motor (90 hp Mercury 4 stroke) to the kicker motor (5 hp Marcury 4 stroke). Since the motor will run at factory recomended wot I don't believe there is too much restriction from the elbows. Hope this helps.

potter water · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:46 pm Post subject:

The filter system is really very stout. HOWEVER, you need to be careful about chucking hard stuff into the splash well anyway. You will always have fuel hoses to the motors, and they are more likely to be damaged than the filter assembly itself no matter where you put the filter assembly. I do put soft fenders in the splash well, but still have to be careful how I place them as they can keep me from tilting the motors full up in an emergency. Nothing with hard edges ever goes into the splash well on STILL CRAZY.

Chris · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:04 pm Post subject:

In my opinion...the splashwell is not a good place for fuel filters and hoses. Too wet...too much sun...too much junk. I would mount it in the void over the starboard fuel tank behind the battery compartment. Depending on your particular set up...you might need to make adjustments to accommodate filter changes. What little fuel would be spilled during changes can be handled with a pan and /or paper towels. Hose routing is tidy and not exposed...and handy to the fuel valve if your using it.

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:33 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 6:40 pm Post subject:

One of my C Dories had the Racor in the splash well. No issue with getting hit, but it did corrode. The other two had the filters in one of the lazaretts or cockpit. I like in the lazarette-but agree that it is not as convenient to work on, and there is a slight risk of fumes in the cockpit--but the gas tanks and all fittings are there.

Using 1/4" NTP fittings are fine--

Most of the Racors have two inlets and two outlets. (I think you address this) I would consider putting the Honda fitting on a separate outlet with its own squeeze bulb. But also if you are going for the kicker to be a separate fuel system....then the separate 3 gallon tank...get complicated and you cannot have everything!

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:00 pm Post subject:

Chris · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:05 pm Post subject:

Yes...mounted inside on the splashwell wing...next to the fuel valve...aft of the battery mount. My primer bulb is also there...I can reach in above the fuel tank and squeeze the bulb...or change the filter. I relieved the tank protector board to give clearance for the filter when changing it out. Since that area is all open...the proximity to the battery really isn't any more of a concern than anywhere in the cockpit.
I do think it is important to keep the filter accessible...not buried. Never know when you may have to drain or change them out once or twice after taking on some water or other junk with your fuel!

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:23 pm Post subject:

colobear · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject:

Our filter was initially in the starboard lazarette but I did not like it being so close to batteries and bussbars so moved it. No problems with things hitting it. Here is a picture:

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject:

Sunbeam, not sure about the Honda fitting as all my outboard boats have had Merc fittings but here's some food for thought.

On the Merc quick connect fittings the female end has a ball seal which is spring loaded. The male end has a pin which is also spring loaded. When they are pushed together they unseat each other. The female end with the ball seal is designed so that as it is uncoupled any gas will not siphon down from the motor. Also on a hot day any pressure will only serve to seat the ball tighter. The pin in the male end on the tank seats so that gas will not leak from the tank. Likewise on a hot day any pressure will only cause it to seat tighter.

Now here is the delima that came to my mind when trying to figure out how to splice into the main tank for a kicker. If you use a quick coupler like the Merc - it is designed to seal in both directions but when you introduce pressure or a vacuum on the wrong side then you are relying solely on the spring pressure behind the ball or pin. Now say you are running at WOT - say maybe your filter is starting to plug up a bit - say maybe you were bbqing and put one of those rubbers over your tank vent and forgot to take it off - you could now possibly have introduced enough vacuum in the system to unseat the pin against its mediocre spring tension. You would now be sucking air into the fuel going to your main. Surprised

Maybe the Honda connectors are different but I would recommend installing a shutoff valve behind the quick connect.

I have a 16' Thundercraft that I use for fishing. It has a 4.5 kicker as well as a Minkota bowmount. I used to just have one line that I switched. After getting caught out on Lake Erie a few times in rough seas, it came to my attention that if my main died I could very well find myself broadside to a big wall of wet by the time I got the lines switched and the kicker started. I sprung for a second line with filter and prime bulb for dedicated kicker use. I kept it connected to the spare tank and primed all ready to go. It can also serve as a spare if something happened to the line or filter going to the main.

Not trying to make a simple project complicated for you but this is something I thought about years ago with my Campion. In that case I gave up and just carried a portable tank for the kicker. The only problem there is - if you only have the kicker for an emergency - then you have to stabilize and/or rotate the gas in the portable.

Regards, Rob