Re: aluminum or plastic fuel tank?
Pursuit,<br /><br />Don't want to argue but, I've seen a boat blow up and I'm not going to have it happen to me. Or do I want it to happen to anyone else. These precautions may be overkill but they're better than kill.<br /><br />The fuel dispensing nozzles (whether rubber or not) are grounded internally to the pump which IS attached to the dock either by being bolted or by the pipe delivering the fuel. We are talking about miniscule amounts of amperage here. We want to spread it out as much as possible.<br /><br />The idea is to make the fuel tank one piece electrically with the boat. You're right, plastic is not a conductor. That's why it builds up static electricity internally from the fuel sloshing around in it. Since it is not a conductor with the boat, the static electricity jumps to the first ground it sees-the fuel nozzle.<br /><br />If you look at factory tank installations, this is what you will probably see:<br /><br />1. The tank is grounded itself to the battery either via a fuel gage or a seperate wire.<br /><br />2. The deck fuel filler receptacle is grounded to the boat battery and/or the tank.<br /><br />By all rights, one should, and I do, use a jumper wire from the boat fuel fill to the gas pump or something metal on the dock. If you've ever watched an airplane take on fuel that's exactly what they do. Why, because the airplane is insulated from the tarmac by it's rubber tires. Boats are a little different because they are usually sitting in water, which is a conductor, and so is the dock. <br /><br />I'm not taking any chances.<br /><br />They go into great detail on this issue in USCG courses.
<br /><br /><br />But one question? Why do manufactures at least 95 percent of them install metal tanks?? Dont get pissie..Just asking<br /><br />PS You can get a converter at your local parts house.. <br /><br />Im just discussing not getting pissie..Chill we are here to enjoy everyones company and learn..I learn somthing everyday..Iv even learned from you guy.. 
