Bad idea for fuel tank placement?

Across the Pond · 21 November 2006, 11:58

I'm having a dealer rig a new RIB. He is advocating mounting the fuel tank in the console where the switches for lights, bilge, etc. are located.

It seems to me that having the possibility of fumes in this enclosed space where electrical arcs occur when a switch is triggered is a bad idea. Does any one have any experience here?
Thanks,
Paul

G L · 21 November 2006, 12:57

That where my wiring is. If the fuel tank is fitted right, there will be no fumes in there.

prairie tuber · 21 November 2006, 14:45

Where would the filler & vent be located?

wavecrosschris · 21 November 2006, 15:00

My fuel tank sits in the console - I must admit I never like the idea of it venting petrol vapour into what is an enclosed area with wires and battery in there and then me sitting on it!

I have just upgraded my tank to a larger one with an external filler mounted into the side of the consol and tank vent - All that can go wrong now is my plumbing

but I will make sure I check it, just by lifting the seat everytime i fill up.

After seeing a petrol boat on the Thames blowup (after filling with fuel) blasting people and children into the water and burning them just as it left the petrol pontoon I am always careful when filling up boats -

in the case of the boat on the thames, a fuel pipe had come undone (through age and perished) and poured all the fuel they had just taken onboard into the engine bay - it took a minute or two after they had started it for it to ignite though...

Hightower · 21 November 2006, 16:35

My fuel tank and filler are both in my console, it's over 10 years old and has never blown up.

prairie tuber · 21 November 2006, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

My fuel tank and filler are both in my console, it's over 10 years old and has never blown up.

For some reason, we probably won't be hearing from those who've had theirs blow up.

Nos4r2 · 21 November 2006, 18:49

Put your battery elsewhere if you're worried.

Is there any reason you can't have a cutout in the console to vent any fumes?

Hightower · 21 November 2006, 20:16

I think it's quite common (or used to be) to mount a fuel tank through the deck and into the consol, particularly in jockey consols and fill up under the seat. There are no bulkheads between bilge/console or electrics, I've also seen portable tanks placed into these type of consol.

codprawn · 21 November 2006, 21:46

Get one of those solar powered mushroom vents - they are supposed to be very good.

fast fred · 22 November 2006, 08:51

just needs to be vented to the outside of the console, thay have been done like that for ever. ether thare or under the seat, dupendin on the boat it mite be best in the console to help the CG of the boat.

ribit · 22 November 2006, 11:35

part of my petrol tank to is within the same space as the battery, must admit was not over keen on the idea on a rib, when my mates at the RM did some work on it they also pointed this out, but I figure I have had all sorts of boats since I was 10 and all have had fuel and battery close by, in the Cowes race one year the petrol tank split sloshing fuel all around the battery and electrics, it did bring us to a stop as the fuel was now everywhere but in the tank so no finish there, thankfully it did not go pop, although some years later sadly it did, after it was sold