Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

[Jeep Man]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Just a casual observation, but you tanks do not appear to be "grounded". As the boat is not in the water, rather sitting on rubber tires and the jack stand is on wooden planks, by you standing on the ground and touching the boat with an aluminum ladder and possibly the ladder touching the ground while touching the boat, you may have completed an electrical connection resulting in a spark. Going forward, I suggest creating an earth ground connection behind the boat with a cable and clip, and ensure you on board battery is disconnected when not in use. Just my 2cents, and buy a lottery ticket. Luck is on your side right now.

 

[74bayliner]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Alot of forklifts drive around with a strip of rubber, grounding it to the ground. You may want to do that get a rubber strip of some sort. and attach it somehow. that might work. but i personally wouldnt wanna be there to find out again

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Just a casual observation, but you tanks do not appear to be "grounded". As the boat is not in the water, rather sitting on rubber tires and the jack stand is on wooden planks, by you standing on the ground and touching the boat with an aluminum ladder and possibly the ladder touching the ground while touching the boat, you may have completed an electrical connection resulting in a spark. Going forward, I suggest creating an earth ground connection behind the boat with a cable and clip, and ensure you on board battery is disconnected when not in use. Just my 2cents, and buy a lottery ticket. Luck is on your side right now.

I get what you are saying, but remember that static electricity does not require a "ground" back to Mother Earth to create an arc. If he in fact "completed an electrical connection" then what was the source of the arc that was created? If in fact there was static electricity I think he WAS the source. And if he was truly grounded while standing on the pavement why wasn't the charge discharged out through his feet? I just have a hard time believing that a static charge was powerful enough to travel the pathway of the ladder through the hull of the boat and all those unstable points of connection.

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Alot of forklifts drive around with a strip of rubber, grounding it to the ground. You may want to do that get a rubber strip of some sort. and attach it somehow. that might work. but i personally wouldnt wanna be there to find out again

I'm missing something. How does a strip of rubber (a non-conductive material) ground the forklift? I'm not being critical I would just like some explanation so I can learn something.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I'm missing something. How does a strip of rubber (a non-conductive material) ground the forklift? I'm not being critical I would just like some explanation so I can learn something.

Ditto.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

True rubber does not conduct, but static electricity can and does travel on the surface of the rubber to discharge. Way back fuel tankers had a chain dragging on the ground for the same reason. Chains sparked, beat up roads and broke off (they are naturally attracted to windshields). So a change was made to a rubber strap. I haven't noticed if that is still done today, I'll have to pay attention next time I see one.

 

[macca123]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Back in the old days cars had rubber strips trailing on the ground to discharge static electricity so when you got out of the car you did not get a shock when your foot came into contact with the ground.

 

[FastFission]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

They're a special rubber formulation that's conductive. Typically called a "static strap".

Carl

I'm missing something. How does a strip of rubber (a non-conductive material) ground the forklift? I'm not being critical I would just like some explanation so I can learn something.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

True rubber does not conduct, but static electricity can and does travel on the surface of the rubber to discharge. Way back fuel tankers had a chain dragging on the ground for the same reason. Chains sparked, beat up roads and broke off (they are naturally attracted to windshields). So a change was made to a rubber strap. I haven't noticed if that is still done today, I'll have to pay attention next time I see one.

Back in the old days cars had rubber strips trailing on the ground to discharge static electricity so when you got out of the car you did not get a shock when your foot came into contact with the ground.

They're a special rubber formulation that's conductive. Typically called a "static strap".

Carl

I'll be darned!

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Aparrently they're still in production. http://www.mizter.com/index.htm

How they cure car sickness I'm not sure....

[/HIJACK]

 

[mark1961]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I'm missing something. How does a strip of rubber (a non-conductive material) ground the forklift? I'm not being critical I would just like some explanation so I can learn something.

When i was a kid i used to see alot of cars driving around with what appeared to be a thin (1 inch wide) rubber strip attached to the chassis, it was long enough to make contact with ground when the vehicle became stationary.....i guess the theory was it discharged any static electricity buildup before the driver or passengers exited so they wouldnt get zapped.....

 

[Teamster]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

All vehicles that work on pipeline right of way also have ground straps on them,......

 

[Teamster]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

That is one of the coolest twin engine boats I have seen in awhile,.....

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I just remembered that when I was a kid in the early 70's lots of cars were jacked up in the rear and they had 2 little black strips about an inch wide hanging down from the rear bumper area and mounted about a foot apart..... and it only took 35 years for me to learn what those strips were for. Thanks for all the explanations.

 

[island mike]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I cannot think of anything else that has not been stated by the people before me other than spontanious combustion ....
I know its no laughing matter I could not help myself! I am glad your safe too...
Just wanted to say,I am no metal boat man but that must be one of the coolest boats I have seen in a very long time...
Does she have a cuddy? Could you please post more pics and also from the inside?
maybe You could tell us more about the boat too?
Thanx I mike.

 

[V153]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I agree that's a very cool hull. Looks kinda like an old coastie or law enforcement rig? More pics please.

Ya I'll bet the sound of that tank going off tested your pucker factor. Had a battery explode 12" in front of my feet one day. Lemme tell ya that'll perk ya up a lil bit too.

 

[herefishy]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I think the boat is beaut, too! and I would like to see more of her.


~Fishy

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

I agree that's a very cool hull. Looks kinda like an old coastie or law enforcement rig? More pics please.

Ya I'll bet the sound of that tank going off tested your pucker factor. Had a battery explode 12" in front of my feet one day. Lemme tell ya that'll perk ya up a lil bit too.

to the OP: wow, indeed a scary thing, I hope you find the cause and rectify it! Love your boat though, looks like it will be a fun craft when ya finish it!

V153, that indeed will scare the hell out of ya...I was jump starting a guy, and being lazy, i let him hook his jumper cables up without checking his work...sure enough my battery blew up while i was in the cab and scared the bejeezus outta me.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Wow! I didn't know we had so many electricians on iboats. As I was reading through all the replies, it wasn't until Jeep Man came along and clarified the grounding issue. Tank to the hull or fill valve makes no difference in this case. Ladder was outside the boat and there had to be a voltage difference between it and the boat.

There are obviously additional issues in play (gas fumes, etc), but when dealing with serious issues like this one, I would prefer to see only experts weigh in on this.

 

[V153]

Re: Fuel tank explosion (see picture). Why??

Wow! I didn't know we had so many electricians on iboats. As I was reading through all the replies, it wasn't until Jeep Man came along and clarified the grounding issue. Tank to the hull or fill valve makes no difference in this case. Ladder was outside the boat and there had to be a voltage difference between it and the boat.

There are obviously additional issues in play (gas fumes, etc), but when dealing with serious issues like this one, I would prefer to see only experts weigh in on this.

Fwiw all causes of the 'incident' short of St. Elmo's fire have been discussed. 'Less you have something to add?

The OP in his op asked for our opinions of his boat as well. Confess to not being an accredited electrician but could probly pass as one. Seen a lot of James Bond'n Jason Bourne movies ...