Filling plastic fuel tanks

[Horse]

I have picked up a 45l plastic fuel tank. At this size it will have to be filled in the boat. What is the best safety procedure to reduce static sparks when filling?

Cheers

Neil

[Flex]

your talking about filling at a servo into the container in the boat?

Only time static can get you is if you let go of the nozzle as its filling then grab it again and you discharge through what ever you touched first and the fumes ignite.

Possibly if you filled the container without touching the nozzle to the container for ages. the container may charge up and discharge when you re-touch. but very unlikely.But one can never be to safe, just keep everything touching.

As long as you keep hold of everything should be fine. I've done it hundreds of times.

[cormorant]

Put a filler and proper breather on the outside of your hull

Basically you are filling a tank and all the vapours ( heavier than air) that are forced out of the tank sit in your bilge or on your deck. They can stay there even for a short run to the ramp

In theory the nozzle from the servo is earthed so always touch the nozzle against the tank and rest it on the tank. Try and open the tank with you touching both the boat , tank and the ground.

You could use a earth strap and clip it to tank, hull to ground / bowser.


An external filler where fumes can fall to the ground would be better.