Running a FASS in Arctic Weather

[n7gxz]

How low does the temperature need to get when running a FASS in Arctic weather before one should conceder plumbing water lines to the pump to keep it warm?



Kevin

 

[DWeiler]

Never had a problem yet with my Airdog(pretty much the same thing) to-45 out hunting,but i do run lots of Stanadyne Performance additive. I ran my 1/2 inch fuel line into the stock filter heater housing before the injection pump to help a bit. I know that this is not the best way to do it cause its after the pump/filters,but it works so far,every little bit may help.

 

[steved]

I run additive as well, and I have ran for several hundreds of miles with temps at -25*F without issue. If the fuel doesn't gel, it isn't a problem... but you can imagine it could get cold enough to gel the tank, which would affect any fuel system.

steved

 

[DCreed]

put a magnetic oil warmer on the tank strap overnite if need be.

 

[JCyrbok]

no problems in Michigan down to -20 over night, unplugged. I do run fuel additive though. never had a weather related problem.



J-

 

[mhenon]

put a magnetic oil warmer on the tank strap overnite if need be.

Magnetic oil warmer... ???

 

[DCreed]

small 4x6" magnetic plate sticks to side of (typically) oilpan, but in this case could heat fuel while plugged in at nite. common for old tractors without block warmers.

 

[jeepit]

Won't that get too hot for the pastic??

 

[DCreed]

Won't that get too hot for the pastic??

I hope not, its partly made of plastic!:-laf

 

[steved]

I hope not, its partly made of plastic!:-laf

But each plastic is different in how it reacts to heat... Some are heat resistant (think about kitchen utensils).



I would not place a "large" magnetic heater (i. e. 300 watts) on a tank strap... maybe a smaller one in really cold temps, but you take the chance of literally melting a hole in the tank.



steved

 

[steved]

On a side note, there are a couple options for heating fuel in the FASS without running coolant lines...

One is a Fleetguard piece that fits between the water separator and FASS... it is pricey, but it is also 12-volt.

Another is a simple stick on pad, stuck onto one of the two filters... the only issue is you throw it away when you change that filter, which would be around every 100k based on what I have seen.

The last alternative is a new(er) product made in Canada... it is a filter heater... I believe made by Acrtic Fox? It is basically a flexible heater that is held in place by cinching straps, not adhesive. So it is reusable. I tried to get one of these, however, they seem to be difficult at best to locate in the states and the company was less than helpful when I inquired about them via email.

Since the fuel is constantly circulated, heating the fuel at the FASS would allow heated fuel to be returned to the tank.

steved

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

With or without the addition of a FASS or other fuel transfer pump and filters, you still have a fuel tank and fuel lines running along the frame that are exposed to ambient temperature. After the engine cools to ambient temperature, you also have lines and a fuel filter on it dropping to the same ambient temperature. Therefore, make sure your fuel and additive package (if any) will not gel at the overnight ambient temperature.

 

[jeepit]

I hope not, its partly made of plastic!:-laf

I just envisioned a pool of diesel on the garage floor

 

[steved]

With or without the addition of a FASS or other fuel transfer pump and filters, you still have a fuel tank and fuel lines running along the frame that are exposed to ambient temperature. After the engine cools to ambient temperature, you also have lines and a fuel filter on it dropping to the same ambient temperature. Therefore, make sure your fuel and additive package (if any) will not gel at the overnight ambient temperature.

With the FASS, it isn't a fuel gelling issue as much as a waxing issue...



There is no pump that will help with gelling, but heating filters will prevent filter waxing...



steved

 

[DCreed]

But each plastic is different in how it reacts to heat... Some are heat resistant (think about kitchen utensils).



I would not place a "large" magnetic heater (i. e. 300 watts) on a tank strap... maybe a smaller one in really cold temps, but you take the chance of literally melting a hole in the tank.



steved

I believe they only heat to 80*or100* I dont think the DOT would allow a plastic fuel tank that melts at under 200*f. then the FASS or other would draw fuel less than two feet before getting heated liquid fuel to circulate.