NW Explorations
KOnOcTi bAy OperATing MAnuAl
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4L: Fuel System
4L1: Fuel System Concept
The diesel fuel aboard Konocti Bay is carried in four tanks of 2) forward tanks of 250 gallons each and 2) aft tanks of
100 gallons each. For a total of 700 gallons. 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. (Usually only the two forward tanks are used)
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 salon
midships.
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 starboard forward
bulkhead in the engine room. They consist of two filters per
engine controlled by a valve allowing one to be selected at a
time (only one filter on the generator). 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 the port forward side 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.
Primary filters. The valve points to the selected filter.
Sight gauge to the left of white panel.
