fueling tips

In my 2012 R-27, I have thought about moving the vent from the transom over to the stbd side of the boat up to a point on the sidewall outside of the head, up near the eyebrow. I think there might be an access behind the vanity mirror. Certainly a vertical run of about 5 feet of vent hose would give any slugs of liquid to settle out. And there would be many fewer opportunities for liquid traps to occur.

I'm afraid it might violate marine yacht standards. Does anyone know?
 
I carry fuel diapers. I tear a hole in the middle of the diaper and insert the fuel nozzle through the hole and into the tank filler hole (I know there’s a better name than tank filler hole). This helps catch any drips. When I pull out, I hold the diaper around the fuel nozzle until it’s back at the pump.

I stop when it sounds like it’s about full. That’s good enough for me.
 
Also have the fuel whistle. It works really well. I've found that as soon as there is a slight gurgling noise I stop. If possible I try have fuel up in calm seas and low noise. It really helps to hear the whistle and all its subtleties. It will also give you a good indication of how fast you are pumping fuel. I was filling up this past summer and I'm waiting for the whistle and its almost none existing. I asked the attendant and they said yes there is a problem with the pump, the filters were changed but it was really slow. I suppose its a good thing that the fuel actually foams up while being pumped so that the foam changes the sound of the whistle before I get a burst of straight fuel. I have a couple of strict rules on the water, fueling up first sound of gurgling, done fueling, next is my thunder rule. If I hear thunder on the water its time to head home.

Stuart
 
OK here is my first attempt at a fuel vent line slop tank. Just a few PVC fittings.

The fuel vent line is 5/8 inch ID and the slop tank is 2-3/8 inch ID. A ratio of flow areas of about 14. This, hopefully, will provide enough space to handle a slug of liquid without carrying liquid any farther. I also used a 45 degree elbow which will help prevent the slug from shooting directly to the outlet. I didn't install any baffles inside. We'll see how it goes. Stay tuned.

Just for fun I determined that a fill rate of 5 gpm (if all the venting goes thru the vent line) would give a venting velocity of 5.24 feet per second. That would bring the slug to you at a pretty good rate.

Slugs probably find themselves in the vent line in rough weather because of sloshing. (Especially if the tank is nearly full?) Once things are calm and you decide it's time for a fill up, the slug could still be there. If you had a small vacuum with a "blow" attachment you could blow the slug back to the tank before you start filling. (With the filler cap open.) A little cumbersome process I guess. End of useless thoughts.

Stay tuned for my vent slop tank test results.
 
Hi All,
Despite reading this thread beforehand, my first fill up did not go well, to say the least! I've reread and got advice from the factory too (go slow, let it settle, listen for the gurgle), but am now looking for a bit more security. My issue was fuel coming out the vent wile I was intently focused on listening for a gurgle. It didn't come out the fill opening. Does the Cleanway help with this (I wouldn't think so)? Or should I look at a whistle, or both.
Thanks, Gary
 
You cant go wrong with the whistle. Once I start fueling I listen to the whistle and carefully listen to it. Once it stumbles or starts changing its tone I stop. Its the foaming in the vent line that first affects the whistle tone. Never spilled a drop doing it this way. It can be a subtle change in the tone but once you hear it you'll always know when to stop. I've also got the same CW28 and the fuel fill is higher than the vent so you definitely want to stop fueling earlier than later.

Stuart
 
Some have asked about the Racor Lifeguard. I installed the LG100 about a month ago on mine. It was relatively easy since I had the starboard batteries removed. I laid down in the lazerette and did it in a few minutes.

Out of curiosity I disassembled it before install. It has a good size volume to hold foam, a mesh screen to “cut” the foam as it tries to pass thru and a SS BB captured in a ring of ramps. If the first two design features don’t work, the BB is driven up the ramps where it seals off the vent line. This forces the fuel/foam back into the tank. In the event this produces a burp up the fill hose, I use a Cleanway. So far, it hasn’t been needed, but that’s because I’ve only filled twice this last month to about 75% full.
 
Another simple thing that helps: estimate how much fuel you expect to put in. Then I watch the pump and slow down as it gets closer.

Although the fuel gauge is extremely imprecise, I find that a guesstimate using that plus the Garmin (fuel injector IIRC?) estimate will get within 10ga or so. Which is to say, close enough that I don't want to top off much further (due to possible expansion, etc.)

As for the Garmin readings, be sure to reset that after filling up. FWIW, I also understated our tank's capacity by 10ga in the system settings. I figure I would prefer to be surprised by how much remains, rather than the opposite!
 
same as what I do.

use Garmin level to estimate fuel required. fill up, and go slow when within 10 gallons from estimation. listen to the sound change as bubbles come up the vent pipe. when the sound changes stop filling. If you keep going it will burb out of the vent hole.
I hold a fuel rag under the vent hole during this phase.

i find im usually between 1-3 gallons of the garmin displayed fuel gap.

I then set the garmin to a couple of gallons lower than full. e.g. 97 vs 100.
 
To avoid burping diesel out of the fuel vent-- many fuel docks have a "No Spill" bottle that you can borrow. These suction cup over the fuel vent and spills (mostly) go into the bottle. I believe that these are no longer manufactured, but I see them at a lot of fuel docks. I managed to purchase one from Australia a few year ago & use it in conjunction with a Cleanway. This is what they look like: https://www.davisinstruments.com/wp-con ... 376_02.jpg
 
I have one of those. It came with the boat, from the previous owner. Yes they are no longer available. The suction cups are kind of old and stiff. They don't hold very well, so I hold it in place with my hip while I fill.

During one fill-up last summer, I was in a hurry and forgot to remove the black cap. At one point as I was filling I noticed a lot of venting airflow thru the filler. Duh! Don't forget to remove the cap!

Thinking about it, I wonder if you could fill the tank with the vent line (temporarily) blocked using the Cleanway?
Now THAT would be an impressive product testimonial! Don't know if I have the guts to test it out.
 
Heronboy":10wq2257 said:
I installed the LG100 about a month ago on mine. ...
In the event this produces a burp up the fill hose, I use a Cleanway. So far, it hasn’t been needed, but that’s because I’ve only filled twice this last month to about 75% full.
Click to expand...

This is the setup I have very high hopes for, will be great to know whether it prevents spills when topping off. @Heronboy, can you please let us know the results if you are going to fill the tank to 100%. TIA!
 
Hi All
Any further experience with the Racor LG100? I think it will be my next project.
Thanks
 
I thought I’d follow up for the group. I installed the Racor LG100 and it completely solved the vent issue.
 
I have found on my 2015 R25SC on the Volvo gage if the gallons used reads 25 gallons it'll take exactly 25 gallons to fill. when I get to about 3 or 3 gallons from my mark I stop filling for 30-45 seconds till the foam goes down then put the last 2 o3 gallons in slowly to prevent the foam from bubbling up and out.
 
The Davis No-Spill device is the best gizmo ever made for catching fuel vent drips. I bought two and use it every time. Damn shame it is no longer available. The folks at the fuel docks think it is better than sliced bread.
 
I have a Clean Way which worked great when filling my C26. I no longer own the boat so if anyone wants to give it a try I will sell it for 30.00+ shipping. I also purchased the cap set for it which was around 12.00. I have no use for it now so $30 for Clean Way and Cap set. Pm me if interested.
 
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