Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

[slabbott]

Last summer I was working on my bilge pump. I had disconnected the battery before removing my fuel tank from the bilge of my bass boat. I reconnnected the battery to test the connections, but forgot to disconnect the battery before re-installing the fuel tank. The tank had to be tilted back to re-install and I spilled out some gasoline. Shortly after the other side of the alluminum tank made contact with a positive relay and arc'd out. I held the tank in place to prevent another spark and reached across to disconnect the battery. I almost freaked out thinking about what might have happened (fire/explosion, etc.) I thank God above for keeping me safe and consider this a lesson. Even though I've worked on autos/trucks, etc. and always disconnect the battery when doing such things, I got careless. None of us are above basic safety rules and caution. BE CAREFUL!!

 

[ED21]

Re: Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

I'll never forget what a friends finger looked like after his wedding ring grounded out the positive connection on the starter he was working on. He said his burning flesh wasn't a pleasant smell.

 

[Pikey2574]

Re: Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

Reminds me of a time in High School while replacing the floor of a 1966 Ford Mustang I miss measured a gas line and cut it with a plasma cutter. I jumped clear out of the car and slide across the garage floor in pure shock. I think that is the fastest my heart has ever pumped. Luckly there was no air in the gas line so it just flamed up very nicely and was put out by the fire extingusher and luckly no one was hurt.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

i very seldom wear my wedding ring except on rare occasion. i got the wedding ring burn 2 times! <br /><br />1st time while using a torch overhead to cut on a stainless exhst system and a big ole glop landed right on it(no gloves, tough guys at the mufflershop ) <br /><br />2nd time was 1st yr doing computer service, repairing a printer. had the cover off the printer, testing it, and accid laid hand to close to the pwr supply. <br /><br />i still have the scar so i guess maybe i should just paint it gold. LOL

 

[ndemge]

Re: Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

Sounds like you just need to tatto that ring on

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

Years ago I read a story about a model airplane guy that was carring his "metal gallon can " of 40% nito glow fuel and pulled it across his 12 volt starter battery. The can stuck on the terminals and heated red hot and caught fire. Burned him pretty badly , even got into his eyes .. He was a airline piolt.... He came out of it ok .. the cans are plastic now!

 

[chuckybaby]

Re: Disconnect the battery when working on fuel system.

My neighbor is a retired autobody man. He tells a story about a guy working under the dash of a car and his ring touched a 12 volt lead and some metal part of the dash. The ring welded itself to the dash so he couldn't pull his hand out. Burned clean down to bone and the guy lost his finger.<br /> <br />I wear no metal when working on anything with a battery.