| Re: Fuel tank selector switch/solenoid. Really needed? [message #316648 is a reply to message #316641] |
Wed, 26 April 2017 12:52   |
cbryan
Messages: 451
Registered: May 2012
Location: Ennis, Texas
Karma:
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Yes, Scott,
I learned the hard way about this issue. My beloved P.O. plumbed both together, so when smugly switching to the aux tank, I was out (in the Mojave Desert. I got to the vicinity of a gas station by weaving back and forth to slosh the fuel up to the intakes. Felt like a NASCAR driver of old. What you are missing is that if one fuel pickup is in the air, the pump will just draw that air so that there is no suction sufficient to draw the fuel back out of the other tank. I fixed that later in the trip for a few miles with a vise grip pinching off one tank feed. That's one reason behind the otherwise mysterious advice often heard and read on the forum not to run the tanks below 1/4 full.
The dual pump solution sounds to be the best under the circumstances and it is really nice to know if a pump goes out suddenly (is there any other way?), you have one you can switch to until you can conveniently get under the coach to replace it. Peace of mind about one thing at least. I wonder just what the best practice is? I was going to mount a relay underneath, but am starting to be convinced by taking the trouble to run power wires to the dash switch and doing without another relay with the attendant possible fire hazard, which I think is minimal. And if the relay's coil goes out, you would still have 12 volts to one pump through the normally closed contacts.
Carey
Carey from Ennis, Texas
78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.
[Updated on: Wed, 26 April 2017 13:01] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
