Fuel Transfer

[jema]

My boat, 1991 Carver 430 Cummin 6BTA has a breaker on the panel for fuel transfer. I'm told it is likely to move fuel from the stbd tank to the port tank to level the tanks if running the generator. The generator only pulls from the port tank.
I cant seem to get a clear answer on how to use this. On another forum it was suggested the transfer pump will be on the bulkhead behind the generator. Mine is still shrink wrapped so I havent been able to confirm. My question is about the operation. Is it as simple as flipping on the breaker to start the process or are there diverter valves that need to be switched around. Im not asking about using the rear auxillary tank. Just asking specifically about the cross over. Hopefully someone with direct experience can answer this for me. Thank you.

[Midnightsun]

Someone with the same boat will need to chime in for confirmation however on my boat there is the breaker you speak of so basically supplying protection and a means of turning on/off for the fuel transfer pump. No valves or anything to fiddle with. On the dash there is a 3 way toggle switch, centre being off, if held in position to one side it pumps from starboard to port and visa versa for the other side. For safety reasons it needs to be held in the desired position while pumping as releasing it returns it to the centre off position. My toggle was a basic run of the mill switch so I swapped it out with a matching switch I found on Great Lakes Skipper. Looking at the switch makes it easier to understand how it works.
https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/carli ... -on-off-on

That being said I also have 2 auxiliary tanks however transfer between them is not possible or between main and aux tanks. To select main or aux to supply the engines, there are a couple of manual valves clearly marked in my engine bay.

If you want a switch like the one I linked to, better pick it up as they show 7 remaining which are probably have the last 7 available in the world.

[jema]

Thank you. I don’t believe I have any switch like that on my helm. I’ll have to get into the engine room and see if I can find the pump firstly and then follow the fuel lines. Appreciate the input.

[Viper]

As Hans mentioned, there is no need to manipulate valves for the transfer to take place. Activating the switch at the helm one way or the other is all that's required. You may have a breaker at the panel but not have the transfer system installed, even if you have a switch at the helm. The only way to be sure is to look for a transfer pump in the engine bay. I usually see these installed on the aft bulkhead behind one of the engines but it could be anywhere that was easy to install during factory production. You're looking for a pump similar to the pic below. If you have one, check its operation, confirm it's actually pumping by looking at the fuel gage (may take a while), and inspect the lines, fittings, and pump to ensure there are no leaks.

[jema]

Ok good. Thank you. I’ll have a look as soon as the shrink wrap comes off. Again thank you.

[Carpediem]

I use mine often on my 506. There is a ball valve at the bottom of each tank that at least one of needs to remain closed when the boat is not in use. If you open both of them the tanks will balance in volume. If your boat requires a differential in tank level to remain level port to starboard, one can be closed and the transfer pump used to pump one tank higher than the other. My boat likes to have the port full and the starboard at 3/4 to remain level. My transfer pump is part of a fuel polisher system so I can cycle the fuel thru a Racor filter as I transfer tank to tank. You will need to trace the various hoses and valves to determine the sequence. When you do that, write a procedure and add pictures and place it in the owner manual for reference for your self as well as the next owner. One of my biggest pet peaves in life is finding modifications to boats that are not documented well for later operators to understand.
RM

[jema]

ok will do, thank you.

[womide]

I'm due to take possession of a 2006 36 Mariner in about a week. We looked at several different Carver models before deciding on the Mariner, and eventually chose it because it suited everyone in the family from grandparents to grandkids. The one major drawback for is was the 20 gallon holding tank. I noticed some of the newer Mariner models have a 31 gallon holding tank. Obviously Carver listened to owner feedback and/or reviews and increased the size of the tank on later models. I'm wondering if anyone knows how difficult it is to replace the 20 gallon holding tank with the larger 31 gallon tank, or if this is even possible? Our express cruiser had a 45 gallon tank which really reduced the amount of trips to the marina for pump outs