Thread: I thought....................

metal jerrys are meant to be filled on the ground.......it does earth them.....

and something probably no-one knows is....you are meant to earth the nozzle to the vehicle before it touches the vehicle.....

how....

by picking up the nozzle from the bowser....and with the other hand.....
at arms length from the filling point....you should touch the vehicle.....this will/should discharge/earth the vehicle to the bowser.....

why.....

because you may have a spark jump from the nozzle to the metal filler on the tank.....
you know.....the bit where all the fuel vapour comes out from when you remove the filler cap.....

ever step out of your car and get zapped when you touch the door to close it.....?
that spark...!!
thats all it takes.....

Des, read Mike/Tombraiders response/s on this thread.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=27017&page=3

Thanks Rick. I have just posted on that thread.

D.

Des, to do things by the book, your jerry can should be earthed via an earthing wire(this is to an approved earthing wire bashed into the ground with it resistance checked) then once your jerry can is earthed, then it should be opened and refueled, the pump should also be appropriately earthed, so that there is not chance what so ever of a potential difference between the pump and your jerry, if it was an aircraft you would even have to go one step further and run another strap between your refuelling rig and aircraft/jerry can. The flash point of petrol would be in the range of -30 to 50c so any spark between the two due to a different potential could make a large bang. As for taking it out and putting it on the ground, it may or may not help earth it. I would be guessing that now days the tyres on you vehicle are designed to dissapate any static build up, don` know how you do that in rubber, but I bet Mr Michelin could shed some light on this, that is why you don`t have to earth your vehicle before filling it up.

Go to your local airport and watch someone fill up a light aircraft and you will see what I mean about the earthing procedure.

I would be guessing that now days the tyres on you vehicle are designed to dissapate any static build up, don` know how you do that in rubber, but I bet Mr Michelin could shed some light on this, that is why you don`t have to earth your vehicle before filling it up.

Could be the carbon content of the tyre?

Trev.

Possibly, but I know on aircraft years ago we had to religiously earth them, but now days we dont bother, as they earth thru the tyres, so I spose its the same as cars. Years ago you were able to get the little earthing strap that bolted onto cars, but I have`nt seem one of the for a long time.

Hmmm, with ref to Mr Michelin, after thinking about it, I doubt he could help us either as he died a few weeks ago, we will have to get someone else on the case.

I think from memory the snow tyres fitted on the Hercules C130 Aircraft had wire all through them as well.

Trev.

I work with an LPG Distributer, I used to drive a tanker for a couple of years B4 that.
With regard to the Warning signs at Servo's I know the "big 3" - Shell, Mobil & BP, all only bother with the basic warning signs because-
1/. They carry minimum legal weight.
2/. Who reads em?? They are only in English anyway..
3/. If the general public knew the risk they took -ie all the signs were displayed and they read them , no one would self fill.

Technically you should wear gloves when refuelling LPG ( Not sure about Petrol- probably coz the tanker drivers do) and they are available at the console - but you have to ask for them. Who knows that?- there are no signs.

To give an example one of our customers (for BBQ Gas) had a major explosion when a rep with a new car - it had no "O" ring in the filler- merrily put 52 litres out onto the forecourt. The console operators view was blocked by a furniture truck and there was a terrific bang when one of those foodie vans pulled up. It had a pie warmer going. 3 people off to casualty
It went to court and fingers were pointed everywhere and one of the counter accusations was that there is "No Smoking" but no "No Naked Flame" signs displayed. Have a look next time you fill up. They still don't, and that incident happened 13 years ago.