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Basscatdreams.
I have a question on the dual fuel tanks in my boat, I thought I had asked this question a while back but couldn’t recall the answer and can’t find the post now—forgive me if this has already been asked. I have dual 25-ish gallon tanks in my ’03 classic—not a 33gal tank and 10gal kicker, they are definitely dual 25-ish gallon tanks. I have the A10 dash panel so I can switch the fuel gauge back and forth between the two tanks, and a dial-type selector (left/right/off) in the splashwell that switches from one tank to another. I have read the thread in the FAQ section (http://basscatowners.yuku.com/topic/214 … V4whMIg-70 ) on the fuel tanks. My fuel gauge appears to be +/- accurate, and the selector works, it’s tee’d in the bilge as described. I have a question to clarify function of the valve in the spashwell, and also a question for folks about how they use this in practice. In the FAQ section, it states that “These two rear tanks must be filled independently if you intend on using them soon after filling. They will siphon between tanks, though not in a rapid fashion for iimmediate use. They are teed together under the valve AND THE RIGHT PULLS FROM BOTH TANKS SIMULTANEOUSLY.”First question, does this mean that on the “left” setting it will only pull from the left tank, but on the “right” setting the engine draws gas from BOTH tanks at the SAME TIME? If I’m correct on the above, does the “right” setting on the a10 panel show fuel level for ONLY the right tank, or for BOTH tanks COMBINED?Assuming I’m on the “left” setting and both tanks are full…after running a while I notice that the gauge is getting very low. Do you actually let the engine run the tank dry, or do you switch before it runs dry? Does it hurt anything in the engine to run it dry (yammie ox66)? Do you shut down completely to switch tanks or is it ok for the engine to do it at idle? Also, any insight people have about how they actually use their twin-tank boat would be helpful—for instance, do you typically run one tank almost down, and then switch to the other, or (if I’m reading the above description from basscat correctly) do you typically run both tanks at the same time? Thanks in advance!
I just bought an 06 classic and when I took the boat out the first time, the 10 gal kicker tank ran dry. It took me some time to figure out what was going wrong as the a10 panel said it was full. But what I did not realize,and later learned,was that it takes about 30 seconds for the a10 switch to register the fuel reading. I have filled the 10 gal kicker tank up and plan on using it first this weekend. I also have the same yamaha motor. Sorry I cannot say anything about the dual 25 gal tanks as I dont have that. My 33 gal tank is under my seats and I dont think my 10 gal tank is connected to the 33 gal tank in any way. I dont think it will hurt to run a tank dry as I did it and as soon as I switched the selector to the 33 gal tank, she fired right up. This weekend though, Ill probably have to squeeze the bulb a few times on the 10 gal tank to get fuel to the pickup where it had ran dry
The tanks no longer siphon with anti siphon pick ups, though they do pull in similar GPH and draw down almost equally. Do not let the engine run out of fuel. BCB
Thanks BCB. Im not 100% sure I understand the reply, but it sounds like the “right” selector switch will send gas from both tanks more or less equally and at the same time, as opposed to running one tank down and then needing to switch to the other?I assume letting the engine run dry would also starve it of oil, and thats the reason for not wanting to run out? If you did run dry as it sounds like basscatter above did, is it a big deal and what should one do to make sure nothings gone wrong? I havent, but just wondering…Last question is, on the fuel gauge–when I have the “right” selected on the dash panel is that a measure of ONLY the right tank? For what seems like a simple three-position switch Im a bit baffled.
The tanks are not connected and the valve in the splash well will draw from the indicated tank only.The fuel gauge will read left or right and not both.Drawing the fuel down to a (nearly) dry tank will pull any contaminants into the motors fuel system.
Alright, your tanks are 21 gallons each and they are right and left on the valve. They do not siphon except on Puma and Jaguar models. The present system you have someone has placed T in line and eliminated the valve. Your system works like twin 10 gallon kickers and that age tank will siphon between tanks. You will need to fill both to keep them level. BCB
I accidentally drained the kicker tank down not realizing that there was such a long delay in the yamaha gauges showing the reading. I run ring free plus and quicksilver marine fuel treatment and stabilizer in every tank.Do I need to do something before using the kicker tank again? I have not used it since it going dry on me. I just filled it up and put in the ring free plus and the fuel treatment…. Do I need to flush the tank somehow or take it to a dealer before using that tank again?And I am not sure who the genius was that decided to put the kicker tank on the left side of the boat and make it the right tank on the selector knob and making the tank under the seat the left tank….. Seems to me that the kicker tank would have either been placed on the right so that it matches the selector or that the selector would have been changed to display the kicker as the left tank….. Very confusing to those of us that are new to multiple tanks which also aided in me running the kicker tank dry. Last edited by Basscatdreams on May 22nd, 2015, 6:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
Right=rear tank. Left=lower or under seat thats how my feeble brain remembers
Its more our universal use of the valve. We use the same valve to prevent Mislabeled or improper installs. Think this way as you must pull up to the pumps, the left tank is on our left as you fill, the kicker tank is on your right. This is all labeled in the FAQ section and we are putting a lot of effort into getting those posts read with so many newer BCB owners that are not up to speed on their boats.
I can remember, right for rear and let for lower. Lol. On my 2006 classic, both fill from the Let side of the boat. The kicker is on the left side back beside the motor, although it is right of the main tank fill. Lol
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