Electirc tank switching device ???

[1968Droptop]

I thought I'd read in a prevois post about an electric tank switching device ? I'm hoping to find one the will let me choose one, or the other, or both. Do they make something like that ? Where might I find one ? Thanks.

[Turboelimtim]

Yes they are available. I had one on my boat that switched port or starboard, but not both. I swapped it out for a y block that draws from both tanks since the switch was pretty restrictive. Someone probably make a less restrictive one than mine. It's just that I have upped the HP quite a bit from what it was stock, and the switch wasn't designed to flow as much as I need. The only problem is noe it doesn't draw evenly. I've though of putting shut-off valves upstream of the y in case one tank gets really low, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Tim

[Flip]

I thought I'd find something like I've got at Rex or CP but apparently they dont carry them anymore. Eddie Marine and CP have this really elaborate $350 dollar setup but, dang, that's alot of cash.
Here is something that looks alot like what I have in my boat.
Electric fuel valve (http://ratparts.com/RV/81ZX2705U.html)
I just typed "electric fuel valve" into Yahoo and that's the first page that I got.

[MudPumper]

I use the Golan Billet 3 way valve. It's a manual valve but allows for right, left, or both. Works bitchen.
Golan Billet Valve (http://www.rexmar.com/page196.html)
Dana Has them here.
Kinda Pricy (http://www.danamarineproducts.com/store.cfm?&catid=241&CFID=250948&CFTOKEN=12307599)

[moneysucker]

I bought a fuel selector switch for my old 1990 f250 at kragan auto parts and I believe it was capable of handling 3 tanks but not sure. the third tank could be where you have t-ed both tank lines together. There are manual valves that do 1,2,both,off.

[flat broke]

Imco and Eddie make em. They are pricey, but you have to figure that you're paying for the hefty liability insurance hit the mfgs take for producing something with electrical connections and gas running through it. They are nice, but I've run an older manual Rex billet valve in my boat for a while and it has never been too much of a hassle.
Chris

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Mid 80's F-250 (even the 150's into the 90's). I have an 84 250 diesel, and a 96 150 gas. both have elec tank selector valve, 3/8 suply ports, return lines if used, and switch the senders too. About $100 if I remember right(had to replace the one on the 250 a few years ago).

[Ken F]

Chris,
I just got one from HTP which is a selonoid operated one with 1/2" ports in & out-which is what you are going to need with your engine/carb setup.
Give Duane a call, I don't even know the brand I'm ashamed to say!
As was said they are a little pricy however.
Ken

[inwo]

I run one of these. Flows enough for 500 hp 468 single 4 bbl.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FUEL-TANK-VALVE-SELECTOR-SWITCH-GAS-UNIVERSAL-3-PORT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33556QQihZ009QQite mZ190035425217QQrdZ1
Second is a marine one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FV6-MARINE-FUEL-TANK-VALVE-SELECTR-GAS-TANK-3-PORT-UNI_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33553QQihZ013QQitem Z230031934539QQrdZ1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FV6-MARINE-FUEL-TANK-VALVE-SELECTR-GAS-TANK-3-PORT-UNI_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33553QQihZ013QQitem Z230031934539QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FUEL-TANK-VALVE-SELECTOR-SWITCH-GAS-UNIVERSAL-3-PORT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33556QQihZ009QQite mZ190035425217QQrdZ1#ebayphotohostinghttp://i5.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/e4/2b/9a_2.JPGhttp://i12.ebayimg.com/06/i/07/f9/7d/ac_2.JPG
Nice thing is. You can use a two pole switch. dpdt. Use half to switch valve and the other half to switch gas gauge.

[1968Droptop]

I'd thought about the valve off my `97 PowerStroke already, but line size is a bit small. I wanted to go 1/2" to eliminate any worries. I was thinking last night about maybe a fuel shut off soleniod ? They would be quite easy to wire in and control in a way in which I desire. But I'm not sure how long the are desinged to be in use ?
I was also thinking of a way to get the fuel gauge to work w/o having a seperate switch. I figured a couple small relays would do the trick. Just run the sending unit wire through a relay, and have that relay pick up power from the tank selector switch. Presto, guage and tank would work together. When drawing off both tanks I figured I'd use the passenger side tank. If I was by myself, that tank would more likely show less fuel that the drivers side, or at least that was my thinking.
Am I way off here ? Anyone know how long a fuel soleniod can be activated w/o damage to the unit itself ?

[Oldsquirt]

I was also thinking of a way to get the fuel gauge to work w/o having a seperate switch. I figured a couple small relays would do the trick. Just run the sending unit wire through a relay, and have that relay pick up power from the tank selector switch. Presto, guage and tank would work together. When drawing off both tanks I figured I'd use the passenger side tank. If I was by myself, that tank would more likely show less fuel that the drivers side, or at least that was my thinking.
Way overcomplicating the wiring. If you were going to use a SPDT switch for the fuel selector, then just use a DPDT to perform that function as well as the sender switching. DPDT is just 2 SPDT in one unit that switches simultaneously.

[loudpipessavelives]

I'd thought about the valve off my `97 PowerStroke already, but line size is a bit small. I wanted to go 1/2" to eliminate any worries. I was thinking last night about maybe a fuel shut off soleniod ? They would be quite easy to wire in and control in a way in which I desire. But I'm not sure how long the are desinged to be in use ?
I was also thinking of a way to get the fuel gauge to work w/o having a seperate switch. I figured a couple small relays would do the trick. Just run the sending unit wire through a relay, and have that relay pick up power from the tank selector switch. Presto, guage and tank would work together. When drawing off both tanks I figured I'd use the passenger side tank. If I was by myself, that tank would more likely show less fuel that the drivers side, or at least that was my thinking.
Am I way off here ? Anyone know how long a fuel soleniod can be activated w/o damage to the unit itself ?
how big is the fitting coming out of your tanks? if it is smaller than 1/2 in it doesnt make much sense to go 1/2 in does it? i would go the same size as the tank outlet, just a thought i dont know if its right

[Ken F]

Good point Loudpipes. When I had the Tanks built for the new Cheyenne, Duane urged me to have 1/2" pick-ups put in and fortunatly I listened!
Didn't need them at the time, but sure do now!
Chris, as I stated earlier I just went through this switching device deal two weeks ago. With the engine & carb you are running you are going to need 1/2" fuel lines! Looking at my dyno sheets my fuel pressure dropped to 4.1 lbs at 6200rpm with 3/8 lines. That was the reason for the change.
Ken

[1968Droptop]

how big is the fitting coming out of your tanks? if it is smaller than 1/2 in it doesnt make much sense to go 1/2 in does it? i would go the same size as the tank outlet, just a thought i dont know if its right
Already 1/2 coming out of the tanks. I'm not afraid to spend some dough on the 'expensive' unit, IF it's the one. Flat Broke warned me to think things through since I'm not building just a plain OL engine. I don't doubt for a second Ken that had had fuel pressure problems. I want to avoid that :skull:

[Run_em_Hard]

I have the one from IMCO in my boat. Works great.

[Duane HTP]

If you are making some pretty big HP, bend over and buy the Eddie's valve. That other stuff will not handle enough fuel for big HP, and will just burn up a good engine for you.
"Speed costs, how fast would you like to spend?"

[Ken F]

Duane,
yep his engine is almost identical to mine, but a few C.I.'s larger. 514 vs.502

[cruser]

Downside to the IMCO fuel switch besides cost is that the thing is huge! When you put it in a 21 Daytona, it looks gigantic.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/347drivers_transom_tank_switch-med.jpg
Please ignore the mess. It is much better organized now. I found mine on Ebay for $200. Had one defect, one of the mounting tabs was bent, it straightened right out. Whish I had opted for the fuel injection version though. That version has switched return lines also.