Algae X
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
John
Algae X
I'm considering installing a Algae X fuel tratment unit on our CD30. The magnetic fuel treatment concept of the unit is interesting. I would like to know if anyone has installed one and/or had any on board experience with one. Is the unit effective? How do the fuel filters look after using it for awhile. Is the unit worth the $$$. Does it save $$ on replacing expensive Racor and engine filters and adding Bio-Bor and other treatments?
-
Tom
Re: Algae X
I don't know anything about the filter you mention, John, but since no one else has jumped in here let me give you my two cents worth. I think it's a bad plan to let algae grow in your tank and then rely on some magic filter to remove it for you. I put biobor in with every tank of fuel, always run the fuel through a Baja filter when tanking up, run the engine every two weeks minimum to circulate the fuel through the filters, keep it topped up in the winter months especially, and have never had algae in my fuel, or any fuel prooblems (over 10 years). I replaced the water separator and particle filter after five years just to be safe but it came out looking like new and didn't really need replacement. If you treat your fuel right you'll never have an algae problem and the cost of biobor and filter elements runs three or four dollars a year -- hardly worth worrying about. If you've had an algae problem or are in an area subject to a lot of condensation then maybe it's worth it, but in normal circumstances I'd think it's better to treat your fuel right. Algae grows when a boat sits a lot. The trick is to use it a lot and keep fresh fuel always coming in and circulating. Just my humble opinion.John wrote: I'm considering installing a Algae X fuel tratment unit on our CD30. The magnetic fuel treatment concept of the unit is interesting. I would like to know if anyone has installed one and/or had any on board experience with one. Is the unit effective? How do the fuel filters look after using it for awhile. Is the unit worth the $$$. Does it save $$ on replacing expensive Racor and engine filters and adding Bio-Bor and other treatments?
TacCambria@thegrid.net
-
Larry DeMers
Re: Algae X
This and other "magnetic" filters offered for sale to clean up your fuel/water/ wine etc. are simply not effective (IMHO). Thinking about it, there is only two ways for that filter to work; it acts on something that is magneticly sensitive in the fuel/water/wine etc. or-it picks up and stores the magneticly attracted elements within the fuel/water etc.
Now realisticly, every biological entity has some sensitivity to great amounts of magnetic flux..it will change their cell structure somewhat. However, these filters are permanent magnets, not big electromagnets, so the power density is suspiciously low to work as they claim.
But in the end, even if they were effective at killing the microbes..where are the bodies going to go? Into your filter and the folds of the filter element, plugging it up just as fast as it would have if that magnetic filter were not there in the first place. The non magneticly treated fuel has *dead* microbes in it..not alive microbes, as these are in the fuel, at the water/fuel interface. The stuff that gets stirred up is black muck from the bottom of the tank, and these are the dead microbes. This is what that magnetic filter is trying to kill..dead microbes. Doesn't make sense no matter how you look at it.
Put in a good Racor..the replacement filters (10 micron) are only $7.00, and it does a darn good job of separating the water/fuel/microbes. Follow this with a good 1 micron filter/separator to be doubly sure, and treat that fuel with anti-algecide and keep it topped up continuously. Rotate your fuel every 3 years (ie: get rid of the old, scrub the tank while it's empty, then refill with new to the top) if you typically use only a few gallons/year and never go through a whole tank.
Good Luck,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
Now realisticly, every biological entity has some sensitivity to great amounts of magnetic flux..it will change their cell structure somewhat. However, these filters are permanent magnets, not big electromagnets, so the power density is suspiciously low to work as they claim.
But in the end, even if they were effective at killing the microbes..where are the bodies going to go? Into your filter and the folds of the filter element, plugging it up just as fast as it would have if that magnetic filter were not there in the first place. The non magneticly treated fuel has *dead* microbes in it..not alive microbes, as these are in the fuel, at the water/fuel interface. The stuff that gets stirred up is black muck from the bottom of the tank, and these are the dead microbes. This is what that magnetic filter is trying to kill..dead microbes. Doesn't make sense no matter how you look at it.
Put in a good Racor..the replacement filters (10 micron) are only $7.00, and it does a darn good job of separating the water/fuel/microbes. Follow this with a good 1 micron filter/separator to be doubly sure, and treat that fuel with anti-algecide and keep it topped up continuously. Rotate your fuel every 3 years (ie: get rid of the old, scrub the tank while it's empty, then refill with new to the top) if you typically use only a few gallons/year and never go through a whole tank.
Good Luck,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
John wrote: I'm considering installing a Algae X fuel tratment unit on our CD30. The magnetic fuel treatment concept of the unit is interesting. I would like to know if anyone has installed one and/or had any on board experience with one. Is the unit effective? How do the fuel filters look after using it for awhile. Is the unit worth the $$$. Does it save $$ on replacing expensive Racor and engine filters and adding Bio-Bor and other treatments?
demers@sgi.com