Is this fuel storage safe? starcraft 16ss

[detroit_fan]

I'm not sure if i should post this in this forum or the starcraft forum, so mods please move if i chose wrong. I have a starcraft 16 ss, it has a 90 etec outboard and no built in fuel tank. I use a regular old red metal boat gas can. The previous owners kept it in the transom well, but that is where the battery and bilge pump are, is that safe? Here is a pic of the area, with the lid open and closed.

Is it safe to store fuel in this area? If not, is there a way to make it safe without installing a powered blower set up?

Could i remove that cover and replace it with a screen cover, or something that allows air in?

Also, I have read the new gas cans let air in, but no vapor out, would one of those work in that area?

I know just putting that can on the open deck is the easiest solution, bu the boat is SMALL and there won't be room to move if i have to do that,

here is door closed-



and here is the compartment

 

[smokeonthewater]

Yes that IS the correct place to put the fuel tank... The compartment isn't sealed and does not require a blower since there is no ign source IE it's an outboard boat....

The bilge pump is sealed so it can't make a spark.

 

[gm280]

Of course the obvious place for it is in the transom area like you presently have it. But you either need bilge fans and/or vents to make sure fumes don't build up and cause an explosion when any little spark is present. So either remove the hatch cover and replace it, or install bilge fans. I'm surprised the PO got away with that if he had ever been inspected. Safety has to come first...period! JMHO!

 

[smokeonthewater]

No he does not need a bilge blower... The cover has an air gap at the bottom to allow any fumes out of the compartment and there is no source for a spark.

 

[oldjeep]

No source for spark? How about the illegally installed battery (no box or terminal covers). Even if it was legally installed, you only need one loose connection and you'll get all the sparks you want.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Well personally I would prefer a box but I'm not convinced that that is illegal... The battery IS secured.... The only questionable part of the battery installation is lack of spill containment..
Battery boxes are NOT required.

Again that compartment IS vented.... Gas fumes which are heavier than air will not stay in that compartment.

 

[oldjeep]

Uscg does not demand a box, but it does demand a non conductive cover over the terminals.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Show me.....

 

[detroit_fan]

Thanks for the replies. I'm very happy to hear it is vented ok and I can store my tank there. That battery is securely mounted to the floor, it can't move, but I don't know what you mean by non conductive cover, could someone please provide a link so I can correct that issue

 

[oldjeep]

Show me.....

Sure, I'll look it up for you 183.420
Batteries - Must be secured so they cannot be moved more than 1" in any direction; terminals must be protected so that metallic objects cannot contact ungrounded terminals (positive battery terminal); and be vented to permit the discharge of hydrogen gas. Batteries cannot be installed directly above or below a fuel tank, fuel filter or fuel line fitting.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...vvB-BVpBSZo36epIw&sig2=ikL1FmpqsIhYLhygMBNdBQ

 

[detroit_fan]

Sure, I'll look it up for you 183.420
Batteries - Must be secured so they cannot be moved more than 1" in any direction; terminals must be protected so that metallic objects cannot contact ungrounded terminals (positive battery terminal); and be vented to permit the discharge of hydrogen gas. Batteries cannot be installed directly above or below a fuel tank, fuel filter or fuel line fitting.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...vvB-BVpBSZo36epIw&sig2=ikL1FmpqsIhYLhygMBNdBQ

Ok, so if I put plastic caps over the terminals and a rubber boot over the positive connection that would work?

 

[oldjeep]

Ok, so if I put plastic caps over the terminals and a rubber boot over the positive connection that would work?

Yes, that would be legal then. That is the way that my dads pontoon is setup from the factory because Suntracker is too cheap to install battery boxes.

 

[detroit_fan]

Yes, that would be legal then. That is the way that my dads pontoon is setup from the factory because Suntracker is too cheap to install battery boxes.

Great, thanks. I'll get on that right away.

 

[GA_Boater]

If the boat met USCG regulations at the time it was built, no need to do anything. Retrofit is not a requirement.

From a safety standpoint, it would be a good idea to add the post covers and/or a box for in case of an acid spill.

 

[bonz_d]

Might not be required but I prefer battery boxes. Even if just for my own peace of mind.

 

[gm280]

I personally have to agree with both GA_Boater and bonz_d about the battery box. But I would also make sure there was plenty of fresh air circulating in the tank area as well. It only take one little mishap to cause some serious issues. And safety has to be number one things pushed on these threads. Good enough just isn't good enough in my thinking and even being simply passable by USCG standards isn't the minimum effort to work for either. But that is just my mental thinking...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Well again I DO like the idea of a battery box but that regulation did not say terminals have to be covered it said they need to be protected so they can not contact metal.... One could easily interpret that to allow a well secured battery being unable to contact the metal hull as being allowed.

I read the abyc standards and they were specific as to hay many inches of clearance required insulation and even had a specified distance that required any fuel lines to be insulated...

I really believe that his boat is perfectly legal BUT I think it would be a good idea to install a battery box as long as it remains securely fastened down... The crappy plastic straps and buckles that come with most battery boxes are pretty much junk.

 

[oldjeep]

Well again I DO like the idea of a battery box but that regulation did not say terminals have to be covered it said they need to be protected so they can not contact metal.... One could easily interpret that to allow a well secured battery being unable to contact the metal hull as being allowed.

I read the abyc standards and they were specific as to hay many inches of clearance required insulation and even had a specified distance that required any fuel lines to be insulated...

I really believe that his boat is perfectly legal BUT I think it would be a good idea to install a battery box as long as it remains securely fastened down... The crappy plastic straps and buckles that come with most battery boxes are pretty much junk.

If you read the linked USCG document - page 30 you would see the detailed description on what they are requiring. Strapping something down does not keep metal from contacting the terminals since they don't specify strapping down every piece of metal in the boat

 

[smokeonthewater]

Eh I'm not convinced BUT it's cool ... Either way it's not a bad idea at all to cover it up and it sounds like the OP is gonna do it.

 

[UncleWillie]

The battery is secure and adding a cover over the POS Terminal would make it up to current standards.
The "Belt and Suspenders" approach that will make you sleep well at night would be to add a few blocks to the deck to keep the tank in place and a strap over the top of the tank to keep it from getting out of the blocks.
If the Battery and the Tank are both secured, they will never sneak out and meet up when you are not looking.