Racor Fuel Filter Vaccum Guages

[bobk]

I run between the Keys and Baltimore each year and if the trip is smooth, no sediment gets stirred up and the vacuum stays low per the drag needles. If it gets sloppy and sediment is stirred up, I'll see high vacuum in as little as 4-5 hours. And this is on a boat that sees a fuel turnover of 4-6 tanks full per year. The point, as others have noted, is you can get by with regular filter maintenance when all things cooperate. BUT, when they don't you will have no way of knowing that that shutdown is just around the corner unless you have gages.

PS, Designated Engineer vacuum gages replace the T-handle and are about half the cost of the ones that Racor is so proud of.

Bob Kassal
Chateau de Mer
1981 48MY

 

[Walter P]

I have the Racor units on my 6/92's no drag needles. After reading this thread, I am ordering new guages from designated engineer with the drag needles. I'll post the old Racor guages on the parts for sale section when I get the new one's in and installed.

Walt

 

[Bill Allen]

Walt you won't be sorry, The problem that hasn't been mentioned, at least for me is when I run slow and check the engines I can get a very low reading. But when you go up to a 2k cruise you cab really see the problem coming, with the drag needle it holds the highest reading when you check them there it is. Bill

 

[ron6785]

I agree with Bill the drag needles are of particular benefit because when you run hard, or are in a rough sea it will show you the real state of the filters. When your are running at Hull speed I can go a thousand miles without changing filters but in rough seas for extended periods of time it's a nice feeling to see the condition of your filters, and if you lhave the duel system there's no problem until you have the time to change them when the engine room is not hot, ETC.

 

[bobk]

I have the Racor units on my 6/92's no drag needles. After reading this thread, I am ordering new guages from designated engineer with the drag needles. I'll post the old Racor guages on the parts for sale section when I get the new one's in and installed.

Walt

Walt, there is no 'installation'. The next time you change filters you simply install the cap with the gauge instead of the T-handle.

Bob

 

[rsmith]

Here's my port main racor note the gauge behind the ladder. I put these in over 30 years ago when I replaced the origional GM sock filters. Never have had any suction leaks altho the plastic turbines fell apart a couple years ago. note the shutoff valve on each side of the filter.
To the right of the racor is a T that is capped off. I used to have a priming pump but I just find it easier to top off the filter with a 1 gal can. Plus I found if I ran tank dry the primer pump took a long time to pull fuel up from the fresh tank.

 

[Angela]

Walt, there is no 'installation'. The next time you change filters you simply install the cap with the gauge instead of the T-handle.

Bob

That's right!! One of the simplest things we've done on the boat. I got the Racor gauges for $75 each. They have the colors (green to red) for easy recognition, plus a drag needle. We've never run the drag needles out of the green yet. I'm going to put one on my genny's Racor next. I really like having those and not having to wonder. If you want a pair, let me know in advance of your next visit to Miami and I'll have them waiting for you.

 

[naiad]

I installed the Designated Engineer gauge on my Racor 1000, check with him on the best way to get the face in the right position when you tighten it up.

 

[Toronto]

I don't have these guages and want them. However I have Dhal filters. Has anyone installed the Racor on a Dhal filter? Also if you have 2 filters per engine, plus secondary do you only put one guage on one filter and run on that; only using the back up when the moment arrives? It seems the drag needle is the only way to go!
Toronto (waiting for Spring)

 

[SKYCHENEY]

With the Dahls, I would think it would be the easiest to just install one gauge somewhere in the line between the primaries and the fuel pump. This will tell you when the filter you are using is starting to plug. It will also show the vacuum on the second primary once you switch over to it.

The only reason everybody likes the Racor gauges is because you just replace the T-handle and that is easy to do with no extra plumbing. The gauge in the line is actually better as it only takes one of them and it isn't in the way of changing filters. See Rsmith's picture above for the in-line gauge setup.

 

[Toronto]

Thanks Sky, I see what you mean about the benefit of an "in line' instalation.
Did you get to the North Channel this past summer?
Toronto

 

[Avenger]

Dahl puts the gauge in a special elbow fitting on the filter outlet. If you have the manifold setup you still use only one gauge on the outlet fitting.

 

[Genesis]

The "T-handle replacement" nonsense is IMHO dangerous. You'd NEVER have to change a filter while under way and in "less than pleasant" conditions, when having that T-handle instead of needing a wrench might matter, yes?

Hoh hoh hoh. Do it right and spend the $10 for the fittings to put it in-line.

 

[GJH]

For some reason, my boat has them on both the filter and in-line. They are only supposed to be hand tight, I can usually get mine off by turning the gauge. If not a wrench is two feet away.

 

[John Dickson]

Can one of you post a pic of the racor gauge in place of the t handle.

Tx Gobble Gobble

 

[Angela]

Here is one of mine.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Thanks Sky, I see what you mean about the benefit of an "in line' instalation.
Did you get to the North Channel this past summer?
Toronto

Yes we did. It was a great summer. We anchored at the usual places: South Benjamin, Crocker, Marianne Cove, Bear Drop, etc. We also stayed in Killarney, Little Current, Gore Bay, and Meldrum Bay. Cant' wait to go back.