Plumbing Kicker

[Red Monster]

I'm plumbing my new kicker and was wondering about the correct hoses to use. At the moment my inboard motor has a short steel line running between the Racor fuel filter and the fuel pump, both mounted on the engine.

Do you need to run a steel line beteen the filter and the pump for the main motor?

Unfortunately, the Racor fuel filter appears to have a plastic bottom cap (which I undersand is not for use on inboards) and does not have a second outlet for my kicker. So I think the thing to do is to get a new filter with two outlet, one outlet for the kicker and one outlet for the main motor.

Any advice on how to plumb it? On my old boat with an outboard, I simply hose clamped the appropriate sized brass nipples to run fuel in and out of the fuel filter. Can I do the same thing on my inboard or would it be better to have custom fitted fuel fittings made up on some or all the fittings?

Thanks for any feedback. I'm almost ready to fish now once I get the kicker installed.

 

[trophywife]

you could install a tee on your raycor outlet, a ball valve to shut it off so your main doesnt suck your kicker dry or use a check valve. or ya get a new filter with dual outlets.

 

[Red Monster]

I almost have this thing licked now. I'm installing a new filter with the extra outlet I need for the kicker. I just don't see the benefit of adding extra tees and valves. I do need to make a bracket for the new filter, and I'll mount it beside the motor instead of under and get easy access to the filter. I also learned a thing or two along the way about hose crimps and the correct sealant (no, not Teflon tape although that can be used in some places) for gas fittings.

 

[Kristo]

I recall reading elsewhere that its a good idea to have a shutoff valve on the line to the kicker...something about ensuring the main engine wont run lean.

 

[Little Hawk]

I'm running a Merc 4.3/MPI and if memory serves I ran off the secondary output on the fuel filter with rubber fuel hose up through the transom - cut a hole then installed a plastic grommet so it wouldn't chaff. Zap-strapped & screwed down the line everywhere. Additional fuel filter in-line and squeeze-ball above transom. Both engines seems to run fine.

 

[wolf]

I have a T on the filter one goes to the main the other a shut off fitting with an anit siphion valve on it for the kicker, you want to run an anti siphon because what will happen is your main draws about 5 to 9 lbs of fuel pump suck where a kicker about 2 lbs.
result a stretched diaphram on your kicker as the main will suck the fuel from that line.

good luck Wolf

 

[Charlie]

All future problems will be resolved, if you (and it is quite easy) install another/seperate fuel line and pickup from the main fuel tank to the kicker?

 

[Rockfish]

All future problems will be resolved, if you (and it is quite easy) install another/seperate fuel line and pickup from the main fuel tank to the kicker?

I agree; each motor having its own filter/separator and fuel line is a safety factor. If a single system ever fails you have just lost both motors. I replaced both raycors last year as corrosion had eaten away part of the aluminum head around the seal on one and it was only a matter of time until it failed and sprayed gas into the bilge . Both fuel lines have shut off valves.