Hatteras Fuel Tanks

[Artzco]

We are the proud owners of our first Hatteras and we are in the process of learning all of the systems. My question is regarding the fuel tanks. I have 4 separate tanks with the switching valves and was wondering if you can switch to a different tank while underway or do the engines need to be shut down. Thanks for any advice offered.

Art

Jenn's Tonic

 

[Will]

Art,
You should be able to switch tanks with the engines running unless you have reason to believe there is air in the supply line from the on-coming tank. Be sure to suck from and return to the same tank unless you're intentionally transferring fuel from one tank to another.
Will

 

[rsmith]

We swich tanks runing all the time. Just make sure you put the supply and return to the same tank.

 

[Artzco]

Thanks Will. They've been mainly running from the aft tank. I guess it would be prudent to run through a test at the dock and switch to each tank while running and verify that the supply is good. I've cleaned and rebuilt all the racors and the fuel pressure is strong.

 

[OBXTucker]

With regards to returning fuel to the same (or another) tank, how much fuel is returned?
I'd like to move some fuel from the forward tank (1,200 gallon tank) to the aft tank, but I'm wondering how long this would take.

 

[Boatsb]

Depending on engine type and speed you probably move 20 gal per hour per engine at 1500 rpm. on your 671n's Maybe a bit more.

 

[captddis]

I delivered a number of those 52MY's when new. Be careful as some of the fuel tanks have the pickups in the front of the tanks and will have much less fuel available when on plane.
Also bring engines down to idle before switching tanks.

 

[Artzco]

Thanks to all for the advice and yes, i've already learned about the difference in reading the fuel gauge in being on plane vs. slow level. Being at idle makes sense in switching too.