filling gas tank

[Martian]

I recently added a spot near my trailer tongue to put my boats 6 gallon tank while trailering.

When I fill it up should I take it off of the trailer before fueling?

My neighbor told me that for safety reasons (sparks) I need to take it off and set it on the curb for fueling.

???

Martian

 

[saumon]

Re: filling gas tank

He's right: put them on the ground.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: filling gas tank

I would not worry about it. That warning is for plastic tanks on a plastic truck bedliner that might create a static spark.

 

[NYBo]

Re: filling gas tank

No worries as long as you keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the tank while filling up.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: filling gas tank

No worries as long as you keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the tank while filling up.

Buy a little insurance, make sure the gas nozzle first touches the tank someplace besides the filler opening. That way if there is a static spark, it maybe won't ignite the fumes inside the tank.
Believe it or not, an empty tank is far more dangerous than a full one.
Mike

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: filling gas tank

Well, the trailer IS grounded to the tow vehicle, but both are insulated by the tires and the trailer frame may be painted. For safety's sake, yes, put the tank on the ground so it is "grounded" (earth if you are British). OR: Drop one of the safety chains

 

[jtexas]

Re: filling gas tank

Gasoline moving within the tank can generate enough static electricity to discharge with a spark if it can find a path to ground.

The polyethylene itself is not conductive, so putting the nozzle against the filler is not the same as grounding it -- there won't be any spark between the nozzle and the tank.

But ask yourself these questions:
* Can a static charge be generated? -- yes it can
* If it discharges, can it cause a spark? -- yes it can
* Is there a fuel/air mixture in the area, that might be ignitable? -- yes there is

You know what happens when you have fuel, air & spark.

I guess I'm saying, the probability of you burning up your truck and boat, and maybe yourself, might be pretty low, but if it happens.........

 

[roscoe]

Re: filling gas tank

Has anyone actually ever seen a tank explode from the expressed static spark concerns?

I have know hundreds of boaters, and hundreds of homeowners and loggers, who have been filling portable fuel tanks on trailers, in boats - aluminum-glass-wood with carpet or vinyl flooring, in auto trunks, in pickup beds-with or without liners or carpeting, with or without the cell phone in hand. Have witnessed a few dozen people refuel a lawn mower or tractor while the engine is still hot, even spilled the fuel over the hot engine. Have seen dozens of bikers and sledders refuel with a cig in their hand. Have never seen or heard of a tank going up, and have never seen it on the news either.

Have only read it in emails.

I think we all worry too much.

 

[rbh]

Re: filling gas tank

Sparking from a non permanent metal tank is usually not the issue, boat mounted metal tanks at the pump should have the ground stap attached to the filler point.
That is the reason that a internal ground should be mounted there.
(to blead off the static charge)

 

[lonemust]

Re: filling gas tank

The law states ALL gasoline containers have to be on the ground, NOT in/on a truck, in the trunk, or on a trailer while being filled.

 

[roscoe]

Re: filling gas tank

The law states ALL gasoline containers have to be on the ground, NOT in/on a truck, in the trunk, or on a trailer while being filled.

So do you dump your boat off the trailer, onto the ground, if it has a built -in tank?

Anyway, not debating the laws here, misguided as they may or may not be.

Has anyone ever seen one go boom?

 

[roscoe]

Re: filling gas tank

Supposedly, there have been 2 deaths from explosions, caused by static discharge. Yes, 2.

But how do they know it was static?

And surely there must be hundreds of non-fatal container explosions every week.

 

[DianneB]

Re: filling gas tank

The reason for the "on the ground" legislation comes from the fact that gasoline vapours are heavier than air and will pool in a trunk, a truck box, or any mostly-enclosed area. Gasoline itself is not flammable but the vapours are easy to ignite and explosive in the right concentration (about 10%). A spark in the 10% vapour cloud is bad news and that is why the legislation exists.

If the tank is in open air and the vapours can dissipate along the ground, don't sweat it.

(I used to work in the petroleum field and dealt with regulations as part of my job.)

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: filling gas tank

The reason for the "on the ground" legislation comes from the fact that gasoline vapours are heavier than air and will pool in a trunk, a truck box, or any mostly-enclosed area. Gasoline itself is not flammable but the vapours are easy to ignite and explosive in the right concentration (about 10%). A spark in the 10% vapour cloud is bad news and that is why the legislation exists.

If the tank is in open air and the vapours can dissipate along the ground, don't sweat it.

(I used to work in the petroleum field and dealt with regulations as part of my job.)

Nice explanation

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: filling gas tank

Supposedly, there have been 2 deaths from explosions, caused by static discharge. Yes, 2.

But how do they know it was static?

And surely there must be hundreds of non-fatal container explosions every week.

Your right, the 1st ones to see the static discharge aren't talking. I like the way you think. Can I buy some life insurance on you, me as beneficiary of course.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: filling gas tank

Seen videos of it happening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tYO4jvnJHw