Way yo adjsut wehich tank the genny pulls from?

[stormchaser]

Due to running the genny, the tanks are uneven. one is at 3/4 full, one is at 1/2. Any way to change which tank the genny pulls from on a 53MY? Or should I just switch it so that both engines pull from the fuller tank for a while? Or both returns to the same tank for a while?

 

[MikeP]

Yep -sounds normal!

In our 1980 53MY the genny pulls only from the forward tank. There is no genny connection to the aft tank. The only way to equalize the tanks is to do what you noted - change both fuel returns to go to the lower tank until the levels are equal.

But keep in mind that the tanks are different sizes so "equal" levels on the gauges does not mean the same amount of fuel is in each tank.

 

[BUSTER]

With a little work and some plumbing fittings you can plumb them to draw from wherever you want.

A word of caution: I just finished two customer jobs where the "owners" redirected the fuel return lines to "balance" the boat. One was a mistake that completely shut off the return line that ruined the fuel cooler then blew the return line,thus filling the bilge up with fuel "after" spewing fuel out the exhaust.The next was a forgetful owner that did the same thing you are suggesting "returning to the low tank" who forgot about it and pumped fuel overboard out the vent from the now overfull tank in a very busy anchorage.It was very embarrassing and expensive for the owners who in every regard are good boaters and very nice folks.