T&T: Fw: Water in diesel from condensation

[Larry N. Brown]

> Good morning all
>
> Our boat like many is in a bit of disuse these days.  In our area in 
> winter
> we typically have cold days (nights 30s, days 50s) followed by warmer,
> humid ones (night 40s, days 60-70s), resulting in condensation of water
> out of breathed in  humid air in my diesel tanks.  Of course this 
> settles
> to the bottom as second phase water and is captured (thankfully!) by my
> Racor.
>
> Would like listees opinions on best available additive to help dissolve 
> some
> of this into the fuel, i.e., what I cant drain out.  My fuel pickups are 
> at
> the bottom, aft of each tank (external connection, not a dip tube) and 
> there
> is probably < to = inch that I cant drain out completely.  (I normally 
> add
> BioBor to control algae but I dont recall it is meant to handle water
> problems.)
>
>
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
>
> Mike Schwartz
>
> 2003 Mainship Pilot 34 Bella
>
> Charleston, SC

Mike,

This is one of those questions like one engine or two, AC vs DC gensets and 
how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. There are essentially 3 ways 
to get water into your diesel. Condensation, hygroscopic action and a leaky 
O-ring on the deck plate. Check the last, first as it's so simple.

Now maybe a chemist can clear this up but the condensate folks tell you that 
the air above the diesel will cool and water will condense on the sides of 
the tank and drain to the bottom. So, keep your tanks full.

Not so fast say the hygroscopic folk. Water is drawn hygroscopically into 
the diesel and with temperature changes, it migrates back out and sinks to 
the bottom. The more diesel you have in the tank, the more water you get. So 
don't keep your tanks full.

I'll leave the continuation of this thread to more knowledgeable heads but 
here's an excellent chemical for the treatment of fuel. One thing people in 
s. Louisiana know about is boats. Not yachts, not sailboats, not awlgrip 
paint but boats. Shrimp boats, fishing boats, work boats, pilot boats, crew 
boats. Their lives depend on these boats and their engines. Many swear by a 
fuel treatment called L-601 by Baton Rouge Industries. 
http://www.batonrougeindustries.com/products.html  Gallon will treat 1000 
gallons of fuel and costs $22. Give'em a call and they'll ship it to you 
UPS.

No connection- just a satisfied customer.

Regards,

Larry and Teri
M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
Lying: 64 Cypress Road
          Covington, LA