Regarding emergencies such as
a clogged Racor water separator in a crowded harbor. As a solution a valved bypass line added across the Racor would allow diesel to the engine for short period of time to avoid groundings, collisions , etc. perhaps pulling into a well. The secondary 2 micron filter would provide filtration at the engine. On my Catalina 1994 MK I there is not enough room to add another Racor with valving as is normally done to address the water/microbe filter clogging that might stop your engine at the wrong place and time in a critical situation. Again the valved filter bypass would only be used for a short period until the Racor filter can be replaced. Any thoughts ?
I added a 2nd Racor with two valves to switch back and forth. Fair bit of fuel hose needed and it does cut down access to the stuffing box but it's doable. The secondary filter won't be 2 micron, they are usually 10 micron. At least the specs that are published for any of them that bother to publish specs say 10 micron. Which is why, despite all the knowledge to the contrary, I continue to use 2 micron Racors. Here's a photo of the almost finished product, not quite totally plumbed. The shutoff valve sticking out from the wall was a placeholder for a vacuum gauge, which lives there now and is very handy for monitoring your fuel filters.
Racor does market a dual filter unit for about $300. If it would physically fit, it would cut out all the extra hoses and some of the other fittings. I have not done this but plan on checking it out this summer.
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
Sorry for late reply ( vacation).
appreciate the replies/iformation but as I have little room in the engine compartment with the Racor, stuffing box and raw water filter and thru hall valve O canot add a second Racor.
Looking into a Racor 500 turbine with metal heat shield now required by the Coast Guard. But again as an emergency solution I will add a valve in a line to bypass the Input and output of the Racor to get fuel to the engine long enough to get me a safe location. Any thoughts on the bypass ? Of course valves with tees would be added on both sides of the Racor to isolate