Racor RK 19671 RK19671 T-Handle Vac Gauge for current Turbine models

ATTN This product replaces Racor RK23284 and RK 11-1669 Racor's new stainless steel T-handle design with vacuum gauge fits current 500, 900 and 1000 Turbine Series fuel filter / water separators, including UL marine listed models. Stainless Steel case and face increased from 2.0 inches to 2.5 inches diameter for easier reading. The improved cases feature a pressure relief valve to adjust to ambient barometric pressure changes. Gauges with acrylic lenses upgraded to polycarbonate. Needle stops replaced with internal locking mechanism to prevent damage due to an accidental overpressure. Internal sealing at the fitting, lens, and pressure relief valve reduces the likelihood of internal contamination by splashing fluids 

First, the gauge belongs on the vacuum side (outlet) of the filter, and before any downstream pumps. Tap into an unused outlet port on the filter head, or connect to a T-fitting located at the filter housing outlet. Use pipe dope sparingly instead of pipe tape. The gauge allows a dirty filter element vacuum limit to be set, and mechanically records the highest vacuum seen; even after engine is shut off. A routine visual gauge check takes the guesswork out of filter element change schedules.

Using the Gauge:

There are three needles on the gauge face. The first one (black) is the vacuum indicator. When the engine is on, it moves and shows higher vacuum as the filter plugs with contaminants. This black needle returns to zero when the engine is off. When the filter element is new and the engine is on, it will typically read about 2 inches Hg.

The second needle (thin red) is a "follower", and is manually set when the element is new by turning the center knob clockwise until it rests on the black indicator needle. When the engine is on, any increase in vacuum moves the indicator needle and the red follower by the same amount. When the engine is off, the indicator needle returns to zero, but the red follower stays at the highest vacuum reached. 

The third needle (thick red) is set manually to the maximum tolerated vacuum (minus about 1.5 inch Hg) required by the engine manufacturer. The vacuum limit can also be determined by artificially restricting the fuel flow until the engine cannot maintain full power at full throttle. In use, when the thin red follower reaches the setting of the service needle, the element should be changed promptly. After the change, the follower is once again manually returned to sit on top of the black indicator needle.