Grounding a permanent fuel tank

[jburn25]

Hi, I'm installing a new moeller permanent (plastic) fuel tank under the back aluminum deck of my aluminum boat. I know I need to ground the tank as to prevent static electricity build up, but I'm wondering where appropriate grounding sites would be? I also have to hookup my fuel sender negative lead, so could I just run both the ground for the tank and the fuel sender negative lead to the negative post of one of my batteries? Or, should I just connect the earth to ground from the tank to one of the unpainted ribs under the deck.

Thanks,

 

[swordfish25]

Re: Grounding a permanent fuel tank

It is best to run a seperate wire to the battery from the sending unit. You can run the 2 wires together up to the dash gauge and hook the ground to the main ground at the dash.

 

[jburn25]

Re: Grounding a permanent fuel tank

So it would be ok to send a wire from the tank to the battery, and also one from the sending unit to the battery. That would be acceptable, and safe way to ground everything?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Grounding a permanent fuel tank

You are putting a plastic tank in an aluminum boat. If a metal fill and metal vent are used, they need to be grounded, as well as any lengths of metal tube in the fill or vent hoses. The plastic does not need to be grounded. Grounding (according to the Coast Guard regs) should be done with marine grade 14 AWG green jacketed STRANDED wire.

I am not sure if the aluminum hull is grounded to the battery in your boat. If yes, then any fittings connected to the hull would be grounded. If the hull is not grounded to the battery, it will be once you ground the fuel fill and vent.

Read all about it here: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/fuel/183-572.htm