[C38] Redundant Fuel Pumps

[Tom T.]

This discussion on fuel pumps reminds me of a situation I experienced on 
a cruise around Florida back in the '80's.

I was on a Contessa 26 that belonged to a friend.  We had fuel pump 
failure in Ft. Lauderdale and we had to sail to a temporary berth in a 
canal while trying to avoid a collision with million dollars yachts 
everywhere.

We found that the automotive style mechanical pump on the Petter single 
cylinder engine had a ruptured diaphragm and was sucking air.  It was on 
a weekend and there was no pump to be found so we lifted and remounted 
the fuel tank high enough in the port sail locker so the tank could 
gravity drain to the injector pump.  The engine cranked up and ran 
perfectly  to continue our cruise through the Keys.

My friend who owned that boat finally sold it and moved up to a larger 
boat.  When he sold the little Contessa, the gravity fuel solution was 
still in place and he never replaced the mechanical lift pump. I wonder 
if he warned the new owner that motor sailing on a starboard tack 
wouldn't work?

Tom Troncalli





On 6/28/2014 12:32 PM, Max Soto wrote:
> Two racors?? Tha'st a buce setup!!
>
> Those fuel pumps are supposed to be very reliable.  Have you been 
> cleaning the screen filter that goes inside those pumps????
>
> Regards,
>
> Max Soto
> +506-8312-1367
> Alajuela, Costa Rica
>
> On 26/06/2014, at 22:03, "Steve Smolinske" 
> <SSmolinske at rainierrubber.com <mailto:SSmolinske at rainierrubber.com>> 
> wrote:
>
>> Here is a quick project I just finished before we head off cruising.  
>> I have replaced 3 fuel pumps in the six years I’ve owned Peregrine (I 
>> have no idea why so many) this last time we just finished a 12 hour 
>> delivery from Victoria and the next day when I started the engine at 
>> the dock, the pump failed within 1 minute.  Not wanting it to happen 
>> while cruising or at an inopportune time the following project.   I 
>> installed a second fuel pump, two valves and a switch for current.  
>> Now with the turning of those two valves and a toggle of the switch 
>> the second fuel pump takes over.   I’m having a plaque made up that 
>> shows the valve and switch positions and plan to mount it just above 
>> the fuel filters.  Pretty sweet.
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> #312 Peregrine
>>
>> Seattle
>>
>> <fuel pump 3.JPG>
>> <fuel pump 2.JPG>
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