Refueling Static Safety Question

[cigarxtc]

It's probably a dumb question but....I've got a 1957 Arkansas Traveler 16ft aluminum boat, 1954 Johnson 25hp outboard and the vintage pressurized 5 gallon metal fuel tank. I have refilled the tank before fishing trips on the ground, unconnected from the motor. This past weekend I left it in the bilge area, connected to the boat motor. The boat was beached onto a sandy/muddy part of the campsite. I proceeded to fill the metal fuel tank while it was sitting in the boat. I filled it from a 5 gallon plastic fuel tank. Now, what that a big No-No? In cases like that, when the boat is in contact with the water is static electricity an issue?

 

[DJ]

Re: Refueling Static Safety Question

It's much better in the water/sand than sitting on a trailer.<br /><br />On the trailer, the boat is insulated from the ground. Static can build because it has nowhere to go.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Refueling Static Safety Question

They took the last train toward the coast, didn't they? The day the music died.<br /><br />The problem with static sparks came from filling plastic tanks that were kept in plastic lined pick-up truck beds. To avoid this, it is advised to place the plastic container on the ground rather than leaving it on the truck.<br /><br />Static electricity seems to be more of a problem in dry weather. I'd think a water environment would mean much less of a problem.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Refueling Static Safety Question

Ya don't normally see a lot of static electricity around water because of the high humidity.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[DJ]

Re: Refueling Static Safety Question

Boat carpeting also builds up hefty static charges on plastic tanks.

 

[ED21]

Re: Refueling Static Safety Question

I think any static charge is likely to be dissipated through the hull into the water.<br />What happens in wheeled vehicles & planes is that a static charge can build up with no place to go until a grounded object like a gas hose comes in contact w/ it.<br />When I used to refuel planes we always hooked a ground line to the plane & the truck had chains that dragged on the ground.<br />I assume fumes can't build up in your bilge.