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Name:	Pier Pressure -	Reply
Subject:	Fuel cell vs large tank...
Date:	9/6/2006 4:53:19 PM

I recently allowed my boat to go to 1/8 of its total fuel capacity (lazy). I found it runs alot smoother with the 1100 lb weight loss. I have considered leaving the tanks at 1/8 their capacity max and re-fuel often. (1/4 capacity total). I have heard many times that this could or would cause water condensation build-up. My question is would it be feasible to drain the large tanks, cap off the lines and use two smaller fuel cells in their place? Of course a 15 Gallon fuel cell isn't really small, but compared to the 225 gallon total I have now?

Or, just leave the large tanks near empty and use "foam" or other additive?

OR just carry the extra weight around....

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Fuel cell vs large tank...
Date:	9/6/2006 5:43:09 PM

PP, I've always heard that you will get condensation in your tanks if you do not keep them topped off, I have never kept any tanks topped off and I have never had a condensation problem. What model Sea Ray do you have? If it is not a new boat you may want to siphon out the trash that may have collected over the years and then just operate with lower levels in your main tanks. You can siphon by removing the inspection plate where the float mounts. I usually ran with the tanks at about 1/3 full; that way you are sure that your pickup is covered whether on plane, idle, or nose down coming off plane.

Condensation may be more of a diesel problem, since all my diesel boat owning friends were afraid to death not to keep the tank topped off. If you have water separator filters on your engines, they're going to catch any condensation anyway. I cut back of fuel weight and increased speed and cut gas consumption both. I reduced my weight by about 1800-2000 lbs.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Simple Physics
Date:	9/6/2006 6:13:25 PM

You will get moisture in the replacement air as you burn fuel. If it gets cold enough in the tank it will condense and sink to the bottom. I would think the volume of water is negligible. Problem might occur of you had the system open - say the fuel cap open for a perid of time so you could have condensation/circulation repeatedly in the tank so as to get a water buildup. Don't leave your cap off. Probably use a stabilizer in the winter if you are not full...

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	ahhh.... a chemistry problem:
Date:	9/8/2006 9:20:49 AM

The water condensation effect for Diesel tanks is the same as it is for gas tanks but water in diesel fuel presents a different problem. Water and diesel fuel will form an azeotrope at certain temperatures causing the fuel to have different properties (such as ignition points). The water amount is still relatively insignificant but the azeotrope effect is much worse.
]
Now you know the rest of the story.....

Name:	FLee -	Reply
Subject:	interesting.....and not a word
Date:	9/8/2006 9:38:58 AM

about bumpers!

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Now that's
Date:	9/8/2006 10:23:30 AM

a very complicated three dimentional physics problem. Let's see hmmmmm........

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	ahhh.... a chemistry problem:
Date:	9/8/2006 11:29:35 AM

you've been reading those comic books again. I think water in diesel also helps promote the growth of algae in the fuel which really plays havoc with the filters.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Well actually....
Date:	9/8/2006 12:05:50 PM

I will jest a bit and make up things but I have done some work with azeotropes. I have a chemistry degree believe it or not. I'm doing some educated speculating about the diesel thing but I'll bet I'm not far off...

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Ric...
Date:	9/8/2006 1:28:20 PM

I do know that H2O will not ignite under extreme pressures.

Name:	Pier Pressure -	Reply
Subject:	Fuel cell vs large tank...
Date:	9/12/2006 9:19:24 PM

I compromised for now and went with adding half tanks. I will see how long they last and go from there. I suspect I shouldn't have to refuel for at least three months now that the season is winding down...

Thanks to everyone for your posts...

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