Mercedes Mullins
Dual fuel tanks are common in diesel-powered vehicles, especially those used for commercial purposes or towing, to accommodate higher fuel consumption. The Ford F-150 pickup truck, for example, offers an optional dual-tank setup, providing increased fuel capacity and flexibility for long-distance travel or heavy hauling. These dual tanks can be installed in smaller locations and improve weight distribution, preventing the vehicle from becoming unbalanced during hard turns. Additionally, dual tanks provide redundancy, ensuring that if one tank is damaged or runs out of fuel, the other can be used to continue driving. While dual tanks may have limited fuel capacity due to the size and weight of the vehicle, modern pickup trucks have overcome this issue.
Characteristics and values of diesel engines with 2 fuel tanks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Increased fuel capacity, flexibility for long-distance travel, accommodating higher fuel consumption, and weight distribution |
| Usage | Found in certain Ford trucks, such as the F-150, and other diesel-powered vehicles used for commercial purposes or towing |
| Capacity | Each tank typically holds about 19 gallons of fuel |
| Advantages | Redundancy, evens out weight, useful for accidental refuelling with the wrong fuel type, and backup in case of tank damage or fuel pump failure |
| Disadvantages | Limited gas carriage capacity due to the size and weight of the vehicle |
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What You'll Learn
Dual tanks for increased fuel capacity
Dual tanks are a great way to increase fuel capacity. They are a direct bolt-in solution that can increase capacity by 40% or more, with some tanks offering over 100% increased capacity. This is a popular setup for diesel engines, with some users opting for two 22-gallon tanks or even tanks with capacities of 43 gallons or more.
One advantage of dual tanks is the ability to have a main tank and an auxiliary tank. This allows the user to run the main tank down to a certain level and then switch to the auxiliary tank, providing a longer range. The switch can be done manually or with a timed switch, and some setups include a gauge to monitor the fuel level in each tank.
Another advantage of dual tanks is redundancy. If one tank is damaged or the fuel pump fails, the other tank can be used to get home safely. This can be especially useful for off-road driving or in situations where fuel is accidentally mixed, as the other tank can be used to avoid issues.
Dual tanks also provide flexibility in terms of geometry. In some vehicles, there may not be enough room for a single large tank, so two smaller tanks can be used instead. This can also help to even out the weight of the fuel, although the impact of this may be minimal.
Overall, dual tanks can provide increased fuel capacity, flexibility, and redundancy, making them a popular choice for diesel engines and off-road vehicles.
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Even weight distribution
The even weight distribution provided by dual fuel tanks can also enhance the vehicle's performance and handling. With the weight of the fuel evenly distributed, the vehicle's centre of gravity is lowered, improving stability and reducing the risk of rollovers. This can be particularly advantageous for trucks and SUVs that have a higher centre of gravity compared to smaller vehicles.
In addition, dual fuel tanks can provide redundancy and peace of mind. If one tank is damaged or runs out of fuel, the other tank can be used as a backup to keep the vehicle running. This can be a lifesaver in remote areas or when facing long distances between refuelling stations.
However, it is worth noting that dual fuel tanks also come with certain drawbacks. Refuelling can be more inconvenient as it requires filling up two separate tanks. Additionally, the placement of the second tank may interfere with the location of other components, such as the spare tire, adding complexity to the vehicle's design.
Furthermore, dual fuel tanks can introduce potential hazards. The valve system that allows the driver to switch between tanks may malfunction, leading to issues such as one tank overfilling the other. Certain designs, such as the Chevy side saddle fuel tanks, have been associated with increased safety risks during collisions due to their external placement. As a result of these considerations, many automakers have moved away from dual fuel tank configurations in favour of single fuel tanks.
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Backup tank in case of damage
Having a backup tank for a diesel engine can be useful in case the primary fuel tank is damaged. This redundancy can provide peace of mind and ensure that you're not left stranded without fuel. For example, if you accidentally put diesel in your gas tank, you can switch to the backup tank to get home safely. Additionally, having two smaller tanks can help even out the weight of the fuel, improving the vehicle's balance.
The benefits of a backup tank are particularly evident in off-road situations, such as four-wheeling, where the primary tank may be damaged or cracked. In such cases, a backup tank allows you to continue your journey without worrying about fuel. This setup is common in trucks and off-road vehicles, where fuel pumps and tanks are more susceptible to damage.
It's important to note that diesel fuel doesn't last indefinitely in a storage tank. Modern diesel fuels can be more prone to changes, and the presence of water and microbes can affect fuel quality over time. Therefore, proper maintenance of the backup tank is essential, including the use of fuel additives to improve stability and reduce the likelihood of microbial growth.
When considering the size of the backup tank, it's important to strike a balance between capacity and practicality. Larger tanks are often required for critical infrastructure or areas with unreliable power supplies, while smaller tanks may be sufficient for infrequent or short-duration power outages. The choice of tank size should consider factors such as initial costs, maintenance, and fuel delivery expenses.
In conclusion, a backup tank for a diesel engine can provide valuable peace of mind and ensure fuel availability in case of primary tank damage. Proper maintenance and fuel management are crucial to ensure the reliability of the backup fuel source. By considering the specific needs and potential risks, individuals and organizations can make informed decisions about their fuel storage setup.
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Dual tanks for separate engine parts
Some vehicles have two fuel tanks to supply fuel to a single engine. This is sometimes done for geometric reasons, as it may not be possible to fit a single large tank into the available space. For example, in light trucks, two smaller tanks of around 19 gallons each can be fitted instead of a single 38-gallon tank.
Having dual tanks for a single engine provides several benefits. Redundancy is one advantage, as a backup tank can be used if the primary tank is damaged or runs out of fuel. This can be especially useful for off-road driving or in situations where fuel pumps may fail. Additionally, with two tanks, the weight of the fuel can be distributed more evenly across the vehicle, improving balance.
In boats with a single diesel engine and two fuel tanks, each tank typically feeds into a common line that supplies fuel to the engine. This equalization line keeps the fuel levels in the tanks relatively even. Some boats have a valve panel that allows each engine to draw fuel from a separate tank or both tanks simultaneously.
Upgrading a vehicle with two fuel tanks to an EFI system requires selecting a fuel source and returning fuel to the same tank using a return-style fuel regulator. Additionally, the fuel source, return, and level sender must be simultaneously switched if the vehicle has a shared fuel level gauge.
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Dual-fuel vehicles: diesel and natural gas
Bi-fuel vehicles are those with multifuel engines capable of running on two fuels. The two fuels are stored in separate tanks and the engine runs on one fuel at a time. Bi-fuel engines can burn gasoline and a volatile alternate fuel such as natural gas (CNG), LPG, or hydrogen. Bi-fuel vehicles switch between gasoline and the other fuel, manually or automatically.
A related concept is the dual-fuel vehicle, which must burn both fuels in combination. Diesel engines converted to use gaseous fuels fall into this class due to their different ignition systems. Dual-fuel engines can operate using a mixture of two different fuels, frequently diesel and natural gas. Dual-fuel engines that mix diesel and natural gas can also operate using diesel fuel only if the natural gas is temporarily unavailable.
A bi-fuel natural gas vehicle can use either gasoline or natural gas in the same internal combustion engine. Both fuels are stored on board and the driver can switch between the fuels. The vehicle is equipped with separate fuel tanks, fuel injection systems, and fuel lines for both fuels. The fuel tank for compressed natural gas stores the natural gas on board the vehicle until it's needed by the engine. The fuel tank for gasoline stores gasoline on board the vehicle until it's needed by the engine.
Benefits of bi-fuel vehicles include savings on operation costs, little to no engine modification of the existing vehicle, non-derated output power, and emissions reduction. Dual-fuel engines also offer financial savings in the form of reduced operating expenses. They can also reduce the environmental impacts of transportation and refining, as well as reduce flaring by redeploying excess natural gas.
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Frequently asked questions
Certain diesel-powered vehicles, especially those used for commercial purposes or towing, may feature dual fuel tanks to accommodate higher fuel consumption.
Dual fuel tanks can improve weight distribution, and they can be installed in smaller locations than a single large tank. Additionally, if one tank is damaged, the other can be used to get home.
Dual tanks have limited gas carriage capacity due to the size and weight of the vehicles they are installed in.
Yes, if you accidentally fill one tank with the wrong type of fuel, you can still use the other tank to get home.
Some Ford F-150 pickup trucks have an optional dual-tank setup, and dual fuel tanks are also common in old Ford trucks.
