Click for Delta Click for Mulder Click for Burger Click for Walker Click for Cross

Fuel Transfer Pump Recommendations

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Nigel Oakey, Aug 6, 2019.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Nigel Oakey, Aug 6, 2019
    #1
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    I am looking to replace my fuel transfer pump...or at the very least create a back-up for the one I have now on my yacht which is the original from 1965. Can any members advise of the best possible commercial grade fuel pump. I subscribe to the philosophy of you get what you pay for so I'm only interested in class (Lloyds / DNV) certified pumps not made in China. If possible I would like a pump that has a very accurate literage / volume transfer counter which allows me to make an accurate record of the amount of fuel transferred.
  2. Pascal, Aug 6, 2019
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,546
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    You didn’t say what size pump you re looking for or where you are located. Here in the US, Depco is probably the nr 1 pump expert. But since you mention litreage I m guessing you re not in the US
  3. Nigel Oakey, Aug 6, 2019
    #3
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    Good point. It is an electric AC pump. The specs for the old unit says its Capacity is 4.8m3/h - 10 m.l.g and runs at 1425rpm
  4. Pascal, Aug 6, 2019
    #4
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,546
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    1 cubic meter is 1000 liter, right? So that’s 4800 litre an hour... about 1300 GPH.

    As i mentioned earlier DEPCO is your best bet here in the US especially for large pumps
  5. Nigel Oakey, Aug 11, 2019
    #5
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    Thanks Pascal. The DEPCO catalog is fantastic!
  6. bayoubud, Aug 11, 2019
    #6
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    IMG_1965.JPG We have a Fill-Rite meter with a Orbendorfer gear pump which seems accurate. DEPCO has them in catalog.
  7. Capt J, Aug 11, 2019
    #7
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,531
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Honestly, I would highly consider plumbing the second pump in and having a DC pump. Run the day tanks out of fuel and Lose generators and no fuel transfer.
  8. Nigel Oakey, Aug 12, 2019
    #8
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    That's a great suggestion
  9. Nigel Oakey, Aug 12, 2019
    #9
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    I like the look of the Fill-Rite Meter. Nice big easy numbers. I'll chase that up.
  10. bayoubud, Aug 12, 2019
    #10
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    Our system also has a hand pump with a flow window for backup, simple and dependable.
  11. Nigel Oakey, Aug 12, 2019
    #11
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    Yes. Essential!
  12. bayoubud, Aug 12, 2019
    #12
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    Our Orbendofer gear pump model # 990RH-N26, 1 hp ac motor has 23 gpm max flow, similar to your requirements. Not sure if Lloyds / DVN certification?
  13. ThirdHatt, Aug 13, 2019
    #13
    ThirdHatt

    ThirdHatt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2006
    Messages:
    68
    Location:
    Palm Beach Gardens, FL
    My boat uses an Oberdorfer N990 gear pump and a Fill-Rite meter as well. This system works very well, with two points to keep in mind: 1. This gear pump will move fuel no matter what, so make certain that all valves are open before you turn it on because if not it WILL cause a leak. 2. The Fill Rite will continue to count for a little while after the tank is empty as long as there is any splash of fuel still moving through the lines, but eventually it will stop counting. When it does this, I am not sure that it is very accurate for that brief period of time.

    We also have a 24v (Jabsco) pump plumbed in as a backup in the event of a loss of AC power. Just turn two valves and continue fuel transfer with DC pump.
  14. bayoubud, Aug 14, 2019
    #14
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    Good you mentioned that, the spec says the N990 bronze gear can make 150 psi. Could make an awful mess. The DC back up pump would be a lot easier in a hot er, like Nigel said the rotary hand pump is essential. Worse case, if we ran the main tank out of fuel, 10 to 20 gallons should light up the gens to transfer fuel.
  15. captholli, Aug 14, 2019
    #15
    captholli

    captholli Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2010
    Messages:
    1,184
    Location:
    In The Bilge
    Oberdorfer positive displacement pumps (gear pumps) come with or without pressure relief valves when ordering. You can choose what pressures you want the valve to pop off and bypass fluids internally through the pump head ports so when you do make a mistake & forget to open a down line valve the pump wont blow the line.
  16. bayoubud, Aug 14, 2019
    #16
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    Actually had not thought of that happening, but can visualize the mess it would create if turned on with a valve closed and blew a hose or fitting, especially if you went to doing something else.Think I will tag the on switch...Valves First!
    Thanks.
  17. MBevins, Aug 15, 2019
    #17
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
    Messages:
    1,225
    Location:
    Windsor On. Canada
    You might be able to add the bypass to the pump. Contact them and ask.
  18. bayoubud, Sep 8, 2019
    #18
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    Nigel, transferred fuel today and check the flow, 15 gpm, less than the 23 gallon max in the specs. For your info if you end up using similar equipment.
  19. Nigel Oakey, Sep 16, 2019
    #19
    Nigel Oakey

    Nigel Oakey New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2014
    Messages:
    20
    Location:
    Fremantle
    This is great feedback. Thank-you
  20. bayoubud, Sep 18, 2019
    #20
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Messages:
    1,149
    Location:
    Florida
    The plumbing may have slowed the output some and not an issue. The most I can transfer is 600 gallons from the aft tanks.