After installing the gas tank yesterday and deciding which Tanksinc accessories to use, I started wondering.........do you need to take measures to prevent Electric Static Disdcharge (ESD)? Don't planes have components at their wing tips in the event of flying thru a thunder storm? What about a car driving through a thunder storm and the filler neck is full of fumes? Sometimes I get shocked in my house when walking on the wall-to-wall carpet. Wasn't the Hindenburg explosion attributed to a static spark discharge up one of the tethers while it was docked? Thinking about running a wire from the filler neck to the frame just for peace of mind. Am I overthinking this?
Just run a good ground strap from the tank to the chassis. You'll be fine. Thunderstorms are quit rare where you are anyway.
I think your metal tank is grounded to the frame by the bolts that hold it in place. However, if the filler tube is connected to the tank by a rubber hose, it might be a good idea to run a separate wire as you mentioned. I'm no expert, but I don't think it would hurt.
I've never heard of a gas tank exploding on a car due to ESD. I think you might be worrying too much.
This isn't gospel, but I think that the fumes in a gas tank are too rich to be ignited by a spark. It takes more oxygen to get an ignitable mixture. If the filler cap is off, this changes.
Given your location I would be MUCH more worried about a earthquake ! But if it makes you feel better do it won't hurt.
I know if you braze a fitting into a tank full of fumes, it will explode - my brother proved that one!
your probably over thinking this I have owned plenty of vehicles that would shock you as you get in or out, never blew one of them up been in so many gas stations in my life time , and never saw a car blow up in one yet I also live in an area where it gets pretty dam dry at times so static discharge is almost on a daily basis during some months, Im still here to get shocked again , it hasent killed me yet
We used to have to ground planes when we fueled them, maybe you could use your jumper cables and hook your car up to the base of the pump when you are fueling.
That setup shouldn't be any different than your daily driver as far as static electricity causing problems. The only static electricity at the gas pump issues I have read about lately is filling gas cans while they are sitting on a plastic bed liner in the back of a pickup and I have never actually seen documentation to back that claim up. Just don't be like my buddy and show up at work with the gas nozzle and hose hanging out of your filler neck on your car. That could cause a problem.
I agree you may be over thinking it, But it wont hurt to put a ground wire on it if it makes you feel better!
you're still required to ground aircraft when refueling. When you ask GC to send a truck to your hangar or tie-down, the driver will hook up the grounding wire (clamp) first, then give you a drink.
My best Static electric discharge story was a good one. Riverside Casino - Lauglin Nevada. Brand New carpet thru out the casino. Was getting shocked on a regular basis. The cocktail waitress's there wear REALLY Shiney panti hose with short shorts and tuxedo jacket with tails. In the crowd with hussle & bussle one of them girls got to close to the back of my hand a " POW" a spark shot straight to her derrière!!! She jumped so high she spilled her dring tray. She looked at me like I had done it on purpose
I had a 5 gal fuel jug (plastic) catch on fire from static el.I was poring gas in my super gas dart when it poped off ( fumes from the vent).the car was setting in the garage and I threw the can straight back and luckly i had a fire extingiser mounted between the 2 garage doors.You can not be to careful with gas.I was lucky I did not lose the car and the house. RLS
nothing wrong with grounding all metal parts , one less thing to go wrong. Alot of static comes from getting in and out of the car while refueling
In my search for an airplane remote fuel filler neck for my avatar, I came across this article: " The flow of fuel through a hose and nozzle creates static electricity, and a discharge occurs to the filler neck of the airplane - explosion.....So in fiberglass or composite airplanes, it is desirable to ground the metal fuel filler cap ring. A metal nozzle with gasoline has some capacitance. As such, becomes the target for a static electric arc from the fuel hose nozzle." Some cars have anti-squeak insulated fuel tank straps. This may prevent the tank from being grounded.
if you're worried about it, you can mount a rubber strap to the frame and let it drag the ground under the car. That will discharge any static electricity, thats what we do to our vehicle in the oil terminal i work in.
The late model pickups with a plastic bed sides use a heavy gauge wire from the filler to the frame. My car has a wire from the fuel sender to a good ground.
most modern vehicles w/polly tanks use a ground wire from filler neck even though filler necks usualy bolted to body via filler pocet though most pockets now plastic ground if you feel safer cant hurt
You also need to run a ground from the fill spout to the chassis even if there is a rubber hose between the filler spout and the tank, just for safety. and with most fuel you need an exact fuel to air ( oxidizer) mixture before you can have combustion.
Wow, I am more suprised by her reaction that the fire. Girl did good... Yes, use a ground. It's slim odds that you'll ever have a problem, but there is no cost involved to ground it.
The Jalopy Journal
