Going Electric Part 5: Another milestone!

Well vacation is over so it's time to get back to work on the blog and the electrification of Bianka.

At this point I've removed the engine and the useless engine driven refrigeration components. But, I still need to remove the refrigeration piping that ran from the port side amidships all the way to the aft starboard side where the compressor and other components were located. Someone spent some time and money installing this system.

As much as I hated to remove it. It looks like some expensive tubing as show here (white hose) it is copper tubing surrounded by insulation and a durable outer cover. I had no plans to replace the refrigeration system. But, as long as I have easy access to it's location this is time to remove it. Actually, I may use it for a solar energy heating project in my home so it won't be just thrown out. But, what's that yellow canister on the right side of the photo?

Why it's the Racor fuel filter! This certainly will have no use on board once I install electric propulsion. Since I have already drained the fuel tank the photo shows me about to start draining the last few ounces of diesel on board. I consider that another milestone!

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REMOVING DIESEL FROM THE FUEL TANK

Since I will be putting in a new propulsion system and will no longer need to use diesel fuel. I needed to remove the remaining fuel in the on board tank. But, how to remove the fuel? I looked around the boat and found my Topsider Oil Changer. I usually used it to change the oil in the engine. It works by a vacuum principle. In order to make it work in removing the fuel I would need to use an adapter. The photo below shows the fuel tanks normal configuration.


This shows the fuel line connected to the fuel shut off valve. First I remove the fuel line and shutoff valve. I next screw in an adapter to which I attached the hose that goes to the Topsider container as shown in the photo below:

Another advantage of using the Topsider to empty the fuel tank is the clear hose allows you to check the condition the fuel as it is removed from the fuel tank. Once you have connected the Topsider hose it is just matter pumping the fuel into the Topsider container .

It holds about two gallons so you may need to transfer to another container a few times to empty the fuel tank. But, it is relatively easy and clean way to empty the tank. Unfortunately, my tank was 3/4 full so I had to pump out about twenty gallons. But, the good news is I gave it to a lobster man who was working on his boat. With diesel fuel prices at $3.50 a gallon he really appreciated it. Plus I did not have to lug the fuel it to a recycling center. I am also hoping that he might drop off a lobster or two this summer when I am on board. I call that a win win situation.