What is the issue?
We want to get the most out of our tanks but it is very easy to overfill them. Once this happens the result is a diesel splash-back and a mess that is virtually impossible to clear up.Why address this?
In our case, the filler cap was in the cockpit sole and the smallest drop of diesel just dug into the teak grating. Nothing we tried could completely shift it. Worse it causes a diesel odour for months on end and we all know how that affects people who are not well established on their sea-legs in any seaway.How to address this?
Install a low-pressure tank whistle in the breather pipe to signal when the fuel tank is full. This provides an early warning to stop filling before a fuel spill occurs.When a filling operation is in progress air is displaced air from the tanks fuel vent which sounds the whistle. This can be heard by the pump man via the breather pipe. As the tank fills the camber of the tune increases until the sound turns to a 'warble' and then abruptly stops when the fuel reaches the vent tube whistle. Then you stop pumping as the tank is full and better still, no mess.
With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, with thanks to Yacht Vanessa.
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