Paul, as far as a funnel, many people use them in refueling operations, but again, the DIFFERENCE in potential exists with 3 components IE: Tanks, Funnel, Nozzel combo that I believe makes a hazardous situation worse. I've been to desert dunes sandblasting in buggies, and use large funnels for refueling( Jerry Cans) with little worry, and so does everyone else. Of course some people have a full blown 100 gallon tank and pump.
Fact is, the chanches of anything happening are rare, but possible for anything ever to catch fire. Prudence and common sense is what can make it a safe evolution. I still am considering a grounding strap fabrication.....cheap insurance!
Fueling boat on land (boat on trailer)
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Joe 26M Time Warp
- Engineer
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:00 am
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
While admittedly knowing little about static electric discharges, prevention, and fires ignited by the same, I like my chances of minimum risk when filling a metal container sitting on the very ground the pump is mounted to. I also must admit I've always looked at the risk of cell phone use contributing to accidental ignition with a fair degree of skeptisism.
Can someone explain why talking on the cell is more or less risky than having it ring during the process of filling the tank, and why, or why not? Seems to me any potential for arcing would be during peak power instants like the ring, rather than ongoing low voltage use like a conversation. And I usually find myself thinking about all this and the fact that my cell could ring at any moment, while I'm pumping gas. And my cell is almost always in my pocket.
Thinking about it always makes me wonder why I haven't heard of the inevitable lawsuits against the unknowing fool who called someone while killing them. "Hey, how would I know", isn't a very popular defense I've heard much of.
And then of course there's my wife's GMC Jimmy. It's either everything I've ever worn in my life. Or the fabric on the seats of the Jimmy, but I've never managed to exit that car without one of the strongest static discharges exchanged to whatever I touch next. I always touch the car first at a gas pump but it's so strong, it's scary. Am I the only one who wears blue jeans or is this fairly common with newer cars?
Can someone explain why talking on the cell is more or less risky than having it ring during the process of filling the tank, and why, or why not? Seems to me any potential for arcing would be during peak power instants like the ring, rather than ongoing low voltage use like a conversation. And I usually find myself thinking about all this and the fact that my cell could ring at any moment, while I'm pumping gas. And my cell is almost always in my pocket.
Thinking about it always makes me wonder why I haven't heard of the inevitable lawsuits against the unknowing fool who called someone while killing them. "Hey, how would I know", isn't a very popular defense I've heard much of.
And then of course there's my wife's GMC Jimmy. It's either everything I've ever worn in my life. Or the fabric on the seats of the Jimmy, but I've never managed to exit that car without one of the strongest static discharges exchanged to whatever I touch next. I always touch the car first at a gas pump but it's so strong, it's scary. Am I the only one who wears blue jeans or is this fairly common with newer cars?
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Frank & Meg
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 8:30 am
- Location: Raleigh, NC
Joe, you must watch Discovery channel
Mythbusters recently did a segment testing the "cell phone blowing up a gas station" myth and found it to be totally bogus. However, they did find that the static produced by getting out of a cloth seated car IS a hazard and cited women as the worst offenders because they often get back in the car while it's being filled (often to talk on the phone). Just wanted to let you know that your instincts are correct.
Good luck with the trailer.
Good luck with the trailer.
Tom Spohn asked a question above about using permanent tanks. I wondered the same thing. I noticed that Cabelas has a moeller tank that looks like it would fit very well. The dimensions are 14"W x 20"L x 11.75"H.
Here is the page
It's a little pricey.
Has anyone considered one like this?
Here is the page
It's a little pricey.
Has anyone considered one like this?
Last edited by jmdefino on Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:59 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Tom Root
- Captain
- Posts: 560
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:39 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
Joe, well the phone ringing is nothing more than magnetic forces, not a biggie, RF energy on the other hand can be suspect when you are transmiting per se'. Being that it is Milliwatts produced, I think it poses little threat. And then there's the cancer scare from too much cell phone use.....is that my problem? 
Key the mike on an onboard H.F. transmitter, or nukin' everything with your radar in fueling operations, that can surely be a target rich environment for an accident waiting to happen! R.F. energy is just that, energy, and you'll never see the effects, unless it ignites something! We had birds land on our antenna's while keying up at times, and all that's usually left is fried chicken! Or seagull, or whatever.
Frank&Meg- Good advice was given there. I see many people do it all the time. I have tried giving "Friendly" advice......but gave that up because they showed me with their social finger who was number one....oh well!
Key the mike on an onboard H.F. transmitter, or nukin' everything with your radar in fueling operations, that can surely be a target rich environment for an accident waiting to happen! R.F. energy is just that, energy, and you'll never see the effects, unless it ignites something! We had birds land on our antenna's while keying up at times, and all that's usually left is fried chicken! Or seagull, or whatever.
Frank&Meg- Good advice was given there. I see many people do it all the time. I have tried giving "Friendly" advice......but gave that up because they showed me with their social finger who was number one....oh well!
