Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

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TenE307

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
193
The question about the aluminum tanks has got me wondering if im thinking of doing this right.<br />My first tank was aluminum, and there was a wire that went from the metal filler to a tab onto the tank. That connection went to the negative side of the battery.<br />New plastic tank - Planned on - starting tonight.<br />epoxying down 1x2 fasten stips on the sides of the tank for the metal connecting stips that go across the tank. I also am going to epoxy a piec on each end even though there are indentations on the tank that makes me think its not supposed to move front to back. Okay lets dream the tank is installed. <br />HOW TO BOND/GROUND plastic tank - (big question)<br />Current plan - have 1 wire run from metal fuel fill to negative side of battery. Is this the only precaution I need to take for static problems with the plastic tank. I dont want to learn the hard way here!!<br /><br />here is my project if it helps. no pics of tank yet. it is a tempo 23 gal 47x18x7.25.<br /><br /> http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectThumbs,p,63,00.html
 
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gspig

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
409
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

Are the metal straps going to touch the surface of the tank? I am thinking that each piece of your tank system should be electricaly connected to each other then ground. The fill cap, the hose from the cap to the tank, and the tank.
 
T

TenE307

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
193
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

the straps will be touching all across it. going to put a piece of lanolium(sp) on the corners where the metal straps go o ver the top,for my security, the comapny i bought the tank from said there is nothing to worry about with rubbing a hole in the tank. there is no place to ground on the tank. one of the electricians at work told me running coated wire around the hose will do absolutley nothing for a ground, he calls it a bond, because nothing is actually in the ground. i am confused and have been told every way possible to mount this tank.
 
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gspig

Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 7, 2004
Messages
409
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

Bonding is probably a more accurate term than grounding. You want to eliminate an electrical potential. Moving liquid can cause a static charge. If every component is electrically connected, no one component will have potential. The static charge will disipate through the gas nozzel, as it has a grounding wire in it.
 
L

Laddies

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Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

gspig, you nailed that right on the head, is for static discharge (spark)--Bob
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

hard to believe.. "almost always" is the key phrase.. what happens when the "almost always " flip side comes into effect..??<br /><br />like in " almost always" wear protection..
 
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willamettejeff

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
550
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

TenE307 be careful when looking at that Coast Guard warning. It only applies when using a plastic body fuel fill with a metal cap. If your fuel fill has a metal body it needs to be bonded.
 
T

TenE307

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
193
Re: Do's and Dont's for permanent plastic tanks

i am trying to be as careful as i can! since i have a plastic fuel tank, a metal fuel fill w/metal chain, and i will fill on the trailer almost all the time. sounds like i shouldnt bond anything to the tank or fuel fill. is this telling me that if i bought a plastic fuel fill, none of this would be a problem, and no spark would happen.
 
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