Earth/Ground petrol tank

[mattiasb]

Regarded Ribsters,
I'm wondering about how I should ground/earth the petrol tank in my RIB, do you go via the engine or something else. I didn't realise I didn't know this until I got the question. Thanks in advance.
Matt

[doggypaddle]

if you are running a standard negative earth system, the engine block or battery negative terminal will suffice. Its probably not that important which, but avoid having two earths, ie one from a sender unit wire and one fron the battery, this way you avoid the possibility of a fault or other current running through the tank. Its good practice to use a single "star point" as ground although there can be more than one star point as long as the cables dont form loops although with DC its not really critical to avoid them.
at least thats what i think!

[jyasaki]

What material is the tank made of?

Grounding a plastic or fiberglass tank isn't going to get you a whole lot except at the point of connection (material is dielectric.) You may prevent high static charge buildup, but even that may be hit or miss depending on surface conductivity.

If it's an aluminum or SS tank, then, yes, it should be grounded. Negative battery terminal (or as close to it as possible) would be my choice.

jky

[mattiasb]

Sorry, yep it's an SS tank. I'll go for negative pole, many thanks!

Matt

[doggypaddle]

I sort of assumed anyone dull enough to earth a plastic tank wouldnt have the IQ to operate a PC!!! he he he .

[martini]

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

I sort of assumed anyone dull enough to earth a plastic tank wouldnt have the IQ to operate a PC!!! he he he .

I've read that even with a plastic/grp tank, you need to earth the filler neck (assuming its metal) to prevent static build up. Here

[doggypaddle]

absolutley, but what is often overlooked is putting an earth strap to bridge flexible filler hose between two steel filler pipes, a static buildup is unlikely but if it happens and the only path to ground is a spark gap in fuel/air vapour.......