2003 Mainship 430 Double Cabin Fuel Supply Setup

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peterg

peterg

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2021
Messages
24
Hi All -
In learning about my new-to-me Mainship 430, it appears the fuel supply setup is very simple, with only supply and return lines to each engine from/to the corresponding port or stb tank. Generator has supply and return from the port tank. The only valves are on the supply lines, at the tanks. I don't see a cross over line between tanks.

Do other 430 owners have the same setup? Has anyone modified their setup to add a fuel manifold and allow more flexibility in where fuel is drawn and returned? Seems like even a simple crossover line to equalize the tanks could be useful, if there is a fitting on the tanks.

Thanks,
Peter
 
Our 2003 430 has a crossover at the bottom rear of the tanks, with valves at each tank.
 
Tanks without crossover capability are certainly an inconvenience and possibly a hazard under certain operating conditions, and I would correct it.
 
Our 2003 430 has a crossover at the bottom rear of the tanks, with valves at each tank.

Our 2001 430 has the same factory installed crossover hose with valves at the tanks. I cut this hose in the middle and inserted a tee with additional inline ball valves so I can select which tank. The tee is connected to a 12 vdc Walbro fuel pump that pumps the fuel through a Racor MA1000 filter back into the tank inlets at the top opposite end. I also put valves in the return lines so I can can select which tank.
This setup is a lot simpler than it sounds. It lets me polish the fuel in either tank or transfer fuel from one tank to the other through the 2 micron filter element in the Racor. When the tanks are less than half full I can transfer all the fuel back and forth between the tanks through the filter. It has been very helpful when the tanks get unequal amounts of fuel.

Jim Fidler
Punta Gorda, FL
 
Hi Jim,
I was thinking of doing something comparable. Would you draw a diagram of the system you built?
Thanks,
Dave
 
I was on a boat that had all sorts of fuel redirecting options controlled by open/closed ball valves. This is an accident waiting to happen if someone accidentally closes all the return valves you can get a bilge full of diesel. I’m no expert but I would think 3 way valves to direct the flow but always keep a path open, would be superior
 
HuffinandPuffin said:
I was on a boat that had all sorts of fuel redirecting options controlled by open/closed ball valves. This is an accident waiting to happen if someone accidentally closes all the return valves you can get a bilge full of diesel. I’m no expert but I would think 3 way valves to direct the flow but always keep a path open, would be superior
Click to expand...
I am a fan of simple, when I replaced my fuel tanks I installed a Groco six port fuel valve. Off-starboard tank-port tank. It always returns to whatever tank I am drawing from. Each tank is independent of each other.
 
Drogers100 said:
Hi Jim,
I was thinking of doing something comparable. Would you draw a diagram of the system you built?
Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...
Dave, I can do that, including some photos, but it will be a few days before I can get it done. Yes, with this setup it is possible to overfill a tank. That would be a danger with any fuel transfer pump unless there is some way to sense a full tank and shut the pump off automatically. It would be very easy to include a wind-up timer to shut off the transfer pump after a number of minutes. My pump transfers less than 40 gph.
 
After further investigation, my 430 has the fittings for a crossover line, as PORMAN described. I have connected a line between the tanks, not sure why it might have been removed. This setup will suffice for me.
 
fidlerjim said:
Dave, I can do that, including some photos, but it will be a few days before I can get it done. Yes, with this setup it is possible to overfill a tank. That would be a danger with any fuel transfer pump unless there is some way to sense a full tank and shut the pump off automatically. It would be very easy to include a wind-up timer to shut off the transfer pump after a number of minutes. My pump transfers less than 40 gph.
Click to expand...
Thanks, looking forward to it.....
 
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