Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) One More Lift Pump Alternative

[15w40]

This pump (Belgoes KR12-40) looks like a good choice for those of us making less than 350 HP. It is designed for a diesel marine application and has a claimed life of 10,000 hours. This works out to about 350K miles at an average speed of 35 MPH, more if you drive faster.



The stock, Carter lift pump has a maximum pressure of about 15 psi and a flow of about 47 gallons per hour with no output restriction. Mounting the Belgoes back at the tank should be close the same rating as the Carter located on the engine. The fuel volume loss, sucking fuel from the tank through a 5/16” tube has got to reduce the volume and pressure of the Carter somewhat.



Here are the specifications:



Flow Rate: 40 gph

Design Voltage: 12vDC

Upper Voltage Limit for Continuous Operation: 14vDC+ (tolerant of high amp charging systems)

Lower Voltage Limit for Continuous Operation: 8vDC+ (For anyone trying to limp back into port with a failed alternator, this could be a lifesaver. )

Current Draw: About 2 amps in most applications

Dry Suction: Better than 7 Inches of HG, Minimum!

Max Pressure: 12 psi

Reversed Polarity: No impact on performance

Minimum Startup Voltage at -40: 8 volts

Operating Temperature Range: -40 to 160 F

Tested Operating Range: -40 to 220 F, continuous operation, no failures

Design Operating Life: Weibul B10 Life of 10,000 Hours

Vibration Resistance: All components Fully Encapsulated

Water Tightness: Functions while submerged

External Corrosion Resistance: ASTM B633-78, Class FeZn 13 (SC3), Type 2

Internal Corrosion Resistance: ASTM B633-85, Class FeZn 8 (SC2), Type 2

Filter: 100 Micron Stainless Steel Screen, Cleanable, Reusable

Filter Service Time: (Remove, Clean, Replace) 60 seconds, No Tools

Fittings: 1/8-27 NPTF Dryseal Female Inlet and Outlet

Check Valve Internal Leak Rate (ILR) maximum of 0. 2 Decay from maximum pressure in 5 seconds

Warranty: Non-prorated replacement warranty for 3 years from date of sale



I am a little concerned with some of these specifications. The Weibull B10 Life test is the mean life (often called "mean time to failure," MTTF or MTBF), but they misspelled it and makes me wonder if it is real. The1/8-27 NPTF Inlet and Outlet connections are a little small.



I will be placing an order for one of these next week to evaluate against a new Carter lift pump on my test bench. These two pumps are about the same price.



Here is a link to the site: http://www.fuelpolishing.com/item1901.htm



I have no interest in this company, other than finding an alternative to the stock lift pump, POS. If this pump works out for fuel volume and pressure, I will report back to the forum, my findings.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I didn't see ny reference to fuel types it is designed for - can we safely assume it will operate in a diesel system?

 

[Whitmore]

good find Dave , I am like you and am concerened with the 1/8 th ports??? keep us posted on the findings

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by 15w40

Flow Rate: 40 gph

Do you think thats enough flow considering our injection pumps are cooled by the fuel as well?????????



Personally I'd say no.

 

[15w40]

It looks like KatDiesel is right. This pump doesn’t have enough volume. I measured a brand new Carter lift pump under different conditions and compared them with the KR12-40. I thought some of the measurements on the Carter might be of interest.



The first test was to find out how much suction the Carter had. I set the voltage at 12 volts and then measure how high the pump could lift a column of diesel fuel. All I can say is the pump will lift more than 8 feet. The pump was not primed so it was sucking air for the 8 feet before the fuel entered the pump. If I had a higher ceiling in my shop, I could have gotten a better answer. My guess is from the speed of the fuel rising in the column that the Carter could easily lift fuel 12 feet.



The next test I performed was to measure the fuel volume with various restrictions at the output of the pump. In this test the fuel source was placed 1 foot below the pump and the fuel tank was connected to the pump with 10 feet of 5/16” tubing. I am trying to simulate a stock Ram setup. By varying the restriction at the pump output, measuring PSI, and then timing how long it takes to fill a 1-gallon container, the volume in gallons per hour was calculated. The supply voltage was set at 12 and the current to the pump was measured.



Output PSI ***** Gallons/hour ***** Current draw amps

0 ************* 82 ************** 3. 0

3. 5 *********** 75 ************** 3. 5

8. 5 ************ 60 ************* 4. 0

12 ************ 39 ************** 4. 5

16 *********** (Dead Head) ******* 4. 8



The last test was to measure the pump fuel volume with no output restriction but at varying supply voltages.



Voltage ***** Gallons/Hour

8 ************ 54

12 *********** 82

14 *********** 95



It appears that the only way the KR12-40 could work in this application is to use 2 pumps in parallel to get the volume needed; probably not a good option ($$$) for an unknown pump.



The search goes on and I need a shower after playing with diesel all afternoon.