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AnAmCArA OperAtinG mAnuAl
NW Explorations
4L: Fuel System
4L1: Fuel System Concept
The diesel fuel aboard AnamCara is carried in two tanks of 300 gallons each. This gives the boat great cruising range, but
it also means there can be a significant imbalance between the tanks if fuel is only used from one tank for an extended
period.
You should understand that diesel engines pump an excessive amount of fuel from the tank, use the excess to cool the
injection pump equipment on the engine, then return the unused excess to the tank! Typically, an engine might pump 40
gallons/hour, but use only three or four: The 36 or 37 gallons “makes the circuit” through the pump and back to the tank.
4L2: Filling the Fuel Tanks
With the large fuel tanks, you can fuel the boat pretty fast using a standard hose and nozzle
(like those on auto gas
pumps).
Fill both the tanks completely but do not spill fuel.
4L3: Fuel Fill Pipe Locations
Taking the hose around the cockpit to reach the fill caps on the inside of the bulwarks adjacent to each side of the saloon
amidships.
4L4: Fuel Filters
Diesel engines require absolutely clean fuel to operate continuously. As a result,
there are two kinds of fuel filters on the boat. The primary filters are mounted on
the inner side
of each fuel tank and consists of two filters controlled by a valve allowing one
to be selected at a time (only one filter on the gen- erator). That way, if one is
clogged, you can switch to the other.
The secondary filter is on the engine itself. It is very fine mesh and is the final
protection to be sure the engine’s fuel is absolutely clean.
If the engine stops, it is likely a filter is clogged. Follow through carefully, and
remember you will have to prime the engine to re-start it. See the engine manual
for this procedure.
4L5: Fuel Management
In aft center of the engine room there is a fuel manifold consisting of a set of
valves for the fuel supply to the main engine and generator, and another set for
the fuel return from these engines back to the ship’s tanks.
In addition, there are visual sight gauges at the forward end of each tank that let
you see the level in each.
Failure to have the same tank supplying and returning fuel risks
spilling fuel as
the tank getting the “returned” fuel overflows.
Primary filters. The valve points to
the selected filter.
The sight gauges are located
on the front of each fuel tank.
