hooking gen to main fuel tank

[RJ]

Doug -

About 15 years ago, there was a fellow at the BCM rally in Laughlin, NV that had the cleverest genset fuel system I've ever seen.

The coach was a 4106, and he installed an additional custom tank in the old HVAC bay, "behind" (driver's side of) the main fuel tank.  IIRC, I think it held 40 or so gallons.

What was clever was the way it was plumbed:

First, he put a "t" in the return line from the engine.  One side back to the main tank, the other side became the "fill" line for the genset tank. 

Second, at about the 85% full point, he put an overflow line from the genset tank into the main tank.  Thus, when the genset tank became full, excess bled off back into the main tank.

So, when running down the highway, the genset tank was always being filled, thanks to the returning fuel from the engine.  When boondocking, the main tank was never "run dry" by the genset, since it was pulling off it's own tank.

Another interesting thing about this arrangement was that he had a "balance line" between the two tanks with a shut-off valve.  This allowed him, should the main tank become low, to open the valve and allow fuel from the genset tank to balance the level in the main tank, thus providing a "reserve," if needed.  This plumbing was about 3" from the bottom of the tanks, to reduce sludge movement.  (He also had a shut-off valve in the genset fill line, in case he didn't want to fill the genset tank.)

Both tanks had fuel gauges on the dash, for monitoring purposes.  The genset tank was vented into the main tank, and had a petcock on the bottom for draining, just like the main tank.  He also had an electric priming fuel pump plumbed parallel to the main engine fuel system that he could use to prime the engine, if necessary.

I thought the arrangement was elegantly simple and clever, a good example of imagineering.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Dave Siegel]

Everyone has some great ideas for connecting the genset to the main fuel tank. I like the looks of Nicks the best but I am not sure if I can get in that close.

My original question still hasn't been answered though, the lines are hooked up, ready to go is the fuel pump on a 10KW Onan strong enough to pull fuel 30 feet or is an additional fuel pump required?

Dave Siegel

[Dave Siegel]

Hi Doug,

Here is a pic of my generator pick up. I machined it out of aluminum.

I used 3/8" copper and brass fittings. Also 4" above engine pick up.

Nick-

Nick are we looking at the top or the side of your fuel tank? And what kind of sealant is that orange stuff?

Dave Siegel

[morefire]

Everyone has some great ideas for connecting the genset to the main fuel tank. I like the looks of Nicks the best but I am not sure if I can get in that close.

My original question still hasn't been answered though, the lines are hooked up, ready to go is the fuel pump on a 10KW Onan strong enough to pull fuel 30 feet or is an additional fuel pump required?

Dave Siegel

It will work on its own.  Mine does and it's an Onan 7500.  But I am adding this to it in the future since I have both the gen and aquahot on the same line.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160654190021?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[buswarrior]

Canadians, pay attention!

That electric fuel pump in the link above doesn't have to cross the border...

Thanks Dave!

happy coaching!
buswarrior