Air seps

[Nick]

Can someone refer me to a supplier of the Walker air sep replacement filters at a sane price! I have cleaned the present ones twice in the last two seasons and would like to install new filters. An on line supplier or NY area would be great. Are the Racor filters sized to fit the Air sep housing?

Thanks!

 

[Nonchalant1]

I tried in vain to find them. I finally wound up paying the $80 each from AirSep.

Doug

 

[Genesis]

Nu-tech is making replacements now. I have no idea how they're priced.

However, Walker has an exclusive on that specific size/config with the actual manufacturer (which they are not). This is a royal screw job at their pricing.... if you have dual twin-turbo systems you can spend $300+ for a new set of filters!

I got tired of the extortion and replaced them with the RACOR CCV system, which incidentally is also a better design and results in NO oil mist pullover - at all.

 

[solanderi]

I have the twin turbos on 692's in a 1985 45C and my Walker Air Sep filters need replacements soon so I am especially interested in your comments. I know that there has been extensive posts on this site in regards to the Racor CCV system (thank you Genesis), can you give me a ball park as to how much that system would cost if I converted over to it? Who is a good source?

BTW, according to a previous survey before I owned my Hat, the original setup had Racor fuel filters which were then swapped out for Dahls. Is there any performance differences that you are aware of between these two? The Racor spin on filters seem to be a simpler system to deal with, can anyone recommend a source for these also? Thank you.

 

[Genesis]

The RACOR spin-ons are not sufficient in their flow capacity. Don't go back to that. The other owner PROBABLY went to what he has now due to restriction problems.

Tony at Seaboard makes a VERY nice system that is ok though. Two-stage. See my other post here on it, or look at http://www.denninger.net/filters for a full write-up. This is what I've recently instaled on my Hatt. I made up the rest of the system myself (priming/polishing pump, etc) but the base filter system was Tony's.

As for the Racor CCV system, I got mine off the BoatDiesel web site parts store. Unfortunately, they apparently aren't selling them anymore. That bites, because they had a SUBSTANTIAL discount off list. I don't have another good source - you'll have to look around. Note that you need one cannister and two air filters, plus an installation kit for each engine. Some fab for mounting the cannister may be required (I was able to avoid it on my 45C and mount the cannister on the forward ER support on each side, just inboard of each engine.)

 

[solanderi]

Hi Genesis and Others,

Time to replace the Walker Air Seps and I am exploring my options including revisiting the CCV route. Do you have any more specifics (supplier) or even better, any pics of your CCV setup? I believe I have a similar but not the same set up as you w/ 1985 45 Hat w/ twin turbo 692's. Thank you.

 

[Genesis]

I will get some pictures tomorrow if I can - I have to run over there anyway as I managed to have an injector fail on my genset this weekend and I have to do some diagnostics.

Will see if I can get some pics of the CCV installation. I strongly recommend it; I believe that Tony at Seaboard Marine stocks them, and he's a good guy to deal with. tony@sbmar.com is his email address - tell him I sent 'ya.

 

[OldHatt45]

Try going to your local Auto Parts Supplier and bringing one of your Air Sep Filters with you. Ask if he has the K & N filters. They will work very nicely. And price wise, also much nicer.

OldHatt45

 

[solanderi]

Do they really have the same specs?

 

[Genesis]

K&N MAKES the filter elements. Pull an "authentic" one and look at the rubber surround.

Notice anything interesting?

 

[MikeP]

Genesis,


I looked at the website/pics of your fuel filter switch-over. Very nice! I am quite dissatisfied with the location of my Racors and have been talking about totally revising the system between the tanks and the engine. Until now, I was just planning to add the dual filter capability and relocate them. But I like small and simple whenever possible.

I want to verify my understanding of the installation. The "old" system consisted of two racors per engine, either of which could be switched in/out of the fuel circuit if one clogged. Your new system, which I like a lot and would like to duplicate, has the two filters in series with no switching capability, right? (I don't have dual filters now so the ability to switch from one to the other doesn't exist for me anyway). Have you experienced any down-side to not having that capability? As a side note, I see you have nice vacuum gauges not the cheesy little racor gauges to monitor the system!

The new filters are much smaller with a correspondingly smaller water-collection sump and no water drain. I assume you haven't had any difficulty there right? (I almost never drain my racors anyway because the access is too difficult).

Again, very nice!


MikeP

 

[Genesis]

Not true on the water drain! Both filters have water drain petcocks.

The first is a bulk separator intended to get the water and big crud out.

The second is a 7 micron absolute filter, used on Cummins common rail engines (among others.)

No problems thus far... and also no need to change elements since I've installed them! This looks like a "once a year" system as far as maintenance goes....

While the filters LOOK smaller, they actually have more filtration area than the Racors did.

 

[OldHatt45]

Genesis,
Here's a question for you.
Regarding the Fuel Filter arrangement.
1st I haven't seen your pictures, but what I'm interested in is this.
Which Racor filters do you use ?
You have 692TI's ?
How would you feel about a bypass valve for the 1st of your inlines such that if a clog ever did happen, you could run with just the second filter until you change out the 1st one? Just a thought and question. WOuld like your opinion.

I've been thinking about putting in a dual system as well and possibly a Flo-Scan.

Thanks in advance

OldHatt45

 

[Genesis]

Genesis,
Here's a question for you.
Regarding the Fuel Filter arrangement.
1st I haven't seen your pictures, but what I'm interested in is this.
Which Racor filters do you use ?
You have 692TI's ?
How would you feel about a bypass valve for the 1st of your inlines such that if a clog ever did happen, you could run with just the second filter until you change out the 1st one? Just a thought and question. WOuld like your opinion.

I've been thinking about putting in a dual system as well and possibly a Flo-Scan.

Thanks in advance

OldHatt45

I just ordered flowscans - with fuel prices, they suddenly look like a good investment.

You don't want a bypass. Carry a spare filter. If the bulk separator clogs, spin it off and spin on a new one.

The system also has a priming pump to insure you can restart.

There are no RACORs anymore - I ripped the old stuff out and went with something much more modern....

Here's a picture from "in process", and I'll try to find the "final centerline" one too..... (you can also find them on Boatdiesel.)

 

[OldHatt45]

Genesis,

Wow, that is sweet!
Nicely done!

Would love to get the particulars on this.
You think your system would work on my 8V71TI's?
Is there enough capacity there to handle the Flow Rate?

Small isn't the word for it But Great for a small engine room space like I've got.

What about inspection? With the RACOR's I can see when things are getting funky, what about your set up????

Looks Really Cool.
If it's too much to post here, email me at OldHatt45@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance

OldHatt45
PS: Didn't know you could post pictures here? I think I tried it a couple of times but never succeeded.

 

[Genesis]

Should be fine on the 8V71TIs. I monitor it with the restriction gauges - if they're restricted, its time to change them.

There's a full article on Boatdiesl about it that I contributed. I put a Walbro pump and timer in to be able to do polishing as well (added a few fittings and valves, but IMHO worth it.)

I love the new system - its been zero-maintenance thus far (six months or so) - not bad, not bad....

MUCH better filtration than the stock system as well - the system is common-rail rated.

 

[MikeP]

Genesis,

I contacted Tony and am ordering two of the kits to duplicate your installation, including the nice gauges. Thanks for the great info and the effort you put into all this. For others who may be interested, each kit is $250, including the gauge - $200 if you don't want the gauge. Per Tony, these kits are suitable for up to 660HP.

I can't wait to get those Racors out of the way!

 

[Genesis]

BTW the Walbro is NOT part of Tony's Kit, nor is the plumbing required to use them.

The Walbros can be had from Depco Pump; they're about $100 each. Additional fittings are required to make effective use of them.

I strongly recommend the Walbros as they, in combination with a few valves and fittings, give you an ONBOARD fuel polishing system. This will go a LONG way towards keeping the fuel clean when you're not running the boat daily, completely remove any potential issues with repriming after fuel exhaustion (or a problem such as sucking air due to an airleak), and allow fuel transfer (use care doing that!) between tanks as well.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have these filters as well, obtained from Tony at Seaboard Marine. They are far superior to the Racor 900s I had before, which I sold and are no doubt doing a mediocre job on someone else's boat. They wanted them, however.
One of the best things about the Fleetguard system Tony supplies is that you have a choice of a lot of different screw-on elements, with different pore sizes etc. It is a modular system in that respect. That system is adequate for a Cummins M11 engine with 660hp, so it will handle most of what we have without difficulty.

 

[solanderi]

Genesis,

You teased us with the possibility of seeing your CCV set up. I am close to making the change over from the Walkers and seeing how others have done it would be nice.

Are you using Racor CCV 6000 or 8000 and which air intakes do you have ? You had mentioned using the Walker filters b/c they are sturdy. Would nt that mean you are washing and buying filters just like you were w/ the Walker set up?

Also, in a previous thread you mentioned that your ER temps are within 10 degrees of outside ambient...is that right. Do you have upgraded or enlarged vents?

Thank you