Why mechanical fuel pumps on 1000+ hp?
#1
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Why mechanical fuel pumps on 1000+ hp?
Why do I see mechanical fuel pumps along with electric pumps on the bigger horsepower engines? I hear the comments that if the electric fails you can limp on the mechanical. My last setup with return lines the mechanical had no chance of flowing enough to run the system to feed 1000hp. My next setup will not have the mechanicals as I will not chance losing an engine if the pumps dies. I would rather have it shutoff then go lean.
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Re: Why mechanical fuel pumps on 1000+ hp?
I know of at least 1 rigger that uses primarily a mechanical pump and an electric kicks in if there is low pressure. They use a hobbs switch connected to the pumps output that turns on an electric pump at under 6psi. It is plumbed in parallel to the mechanical pump. The electric is there to augment the mechanical at top end, not replace it in case of failure.
#3
Re: Why mechanical fuel pumps on 1000+ hp?
Originally Posted by Gary Anderson
I know of at least 1 rigger that uses primarily a mechanical pump and an electric kicks in if there is low pressure. They use a hobbs switch connected to the pumps output that turns on an electric pump at under 6psi. It is plumbed in parallel to the mechanical pump. The electric is there to augment the mechanical at top end, not replace it in case of failure.
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Re: Why mechanical fuel pumps on 1000+ hp?
Originally Posted by Infomaniac
A good 6 check valve mechanical pump will easily support 1,000 HP when plumbed properly.
#7
Re: Why mechanical fuel pumps on 1000+ hp?
Originally Posted by Gary Anderson
I know of at least 1 rigger that uses primarily a mechanical pump and an electric kicks in if there is low pressure. They use a hobbs switch connected to the pumps output that turns on an electric pump at under 6psi. It is plumbed in parallel to the mechanical pump. The electric is there to augment the mechanical at top end, not replace it in case of failure.