Thread: Diesel fuel surge tank

Hmmm, okay - agreed that gravity can be fickle, but arguably a 12V pump that runs continuously in the location available may also redefine fickle! I will do some experimenting!

What is the rationale for painting it black and in the airstream? Just to cool the dieso inside? Air stream will be difficult, it will be under the tray. Anyhow, with these ideas I will go play!

Thanks again.
S

Genuine facet pumps seem to be very reliable. I have never replaced one. No points to burn, one moving part. If gravity is available and the pump is dead, fuel will flow down through the pump's one-way check valves but possibly at a too-slow rate for full power. The main reason for a pump is to keep the fuel in the surge cool by constantly circulating fresh fuel. Black paint on the surge tank will help too.

Fair enough.
Got a good source for a good "genuine facet pump"?

I guess I can power it from the switched power supply at the Pollack (through a relay) such that it only runs when the Al tank is selected?

Thanks again.
S

Originally Posted by roverrescue

Hmmm, okay - agreed that gravity can be fickle, but arguably a 12V pump that runs continuously in the location available may also redefine fickle! I will do some experimenting!

What is the rationale for painting it black and in the airstream? Just to cool the dieso inside? Air stream will be difficult, it will be under the tray. Anyhow, with these ideas I will go play!

Thanks again.
S

Gravity may indeed be fickle, but unless you plan on drilling a new outlet into the bottom of your aux tank, your fuel has to be pulled up the fuel pickup to the top of the tank before filling the surge tank, regardless of where the surge tank may be. Gravity doesn't handle the "up" part so well

Tank outlet is already in the bottom of the tank?
I like to play... I will build the surge tank and try gravity feed first! If that fails I can always add an inline pump or mod the surge for an internal pump?

I really would prefer to have no electrical pump involved.

If gravity fails me and it does indeed need positive discplacement I could perhaps move the surge tank up between the mechnical lift pump and main fuel filter. In some ways this may be neater. Could get away with just two ports at the top of the tank, one for feed from the cam driven lift pump and an overflow that tees into the fuel spill return. May be some cavitation problems with this method though?

Time to play!
S

There are a few surge tanks floating about on eBay at the moment - some of them look to be a cheaper option than actually making them yourself. May be worth a look...