I cannot claim this as my idea, thanks goes to Alan off yacht Melody, but I thought it such a good idea that it needs putting on the forum.
The idea is to have a permanent method of testing the fuel in the tank that takes around 3 minutes to complete.
1. fit a pipe in the top of the tank that goes to the lowest part of the tank, something like an eberspacher take up pipe, or similar.
2. Fit fuel pipe from take up pipe to a hand bubble type pump.
3. Fit clear plastic pipe from exit end of pump to a clear container
4. Hand pump fuel into container to test.
A rubber plug can be fitted to pipe when not in use.
Its simple but very effective.
Odysseus
We fitted a pair of Racor pre filters into our fuel line of the type which you can change filters on the go by flipping a lever. We had continual problems with diesel bug from poor fuel which on one one occasion nearly caused us to go into a reef in Borneo. At the same time I fitted an additional electric fuel pump which also allows me to bleed the entire engine in seconds. Never any fuel problems now.
Full details available to anyone who's interested.
Dave
It would be good if you could post some photos, all ideas are helpful.
Odysseus
I'm also interested in your modifications, as I'm in the tropics and have got bad fuel in Timor, your solution sounds great. Any chance of some more details?
Greg