Super Siphon

[pismo62]

Love the siphon, and last time I filled my tanks, I left them on top. Not so hard on the back. Enjoy

 

[Willman]

This tool makes me want to buy a locking gas cap if you know what i mean!!!! With gas $$$ as they are......

:gunt:

 

[Lynn]

I thought it was good practice not to fill gas cans while they are on any vehicle. Something about static electricity and possible spark producing discharge?

Cheers,

I never bought into the cell phone thing, even before Mythbusters busted it, but I do agree that plastic tanks should be placed on the ground when filling.

http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/product_safety.shtml

 

[adventureduo]

What about metal cans?

 

[Alex]

From the link Lynn posted:

Theory and experience suggest that the condition most likely to lead to a spark discharge is filling a metal container or tank that is insulated from ground, i.e., one which is ungrounded. This is the situation that exists when a metal container is placed on a plastic bedliner.


Most Hazardous Ungrounded metal container
Less Hazardous Non-conducting container
(e.g., plastic container)
Least Hazardous Grounded metal container

Here in the land of single digit humidity there are days when everything I touch gives a zap.

 

[Lynn]

According to NHTSA, there have been 24 fires and 5 injuries associated with static electricity discharge from portable fuel containers, some of which included serious injuries and extensive property damage.

If you are going to leave the gas cans on your vehicle while filling them, please don't do it when I'm at the gas station. My family thanks you.

 

[ntsqd]

Seeing's how all of the fuel can pictured so far appear to be metal, and are bolted or clamped into metal brackets, which in turn are bolted or clamped to various metal vehicle features it is reasonable to assume that they are grounded.

If they are plastic or not grounded then they should come off the vehicle to be filled.

 

[adventureduo]

Here's from another board... don't know what the truth of it is... but he's a firefighter.

"The static should not be an issue if you take a few precautions. The main problem with filling the cans in the truck bed is the liners and the static that they generate. Even if you discharge yourself you can produce more by only a little movement before you finish filling the can and then... If you climb onto your sliders or door sill to fill them just discharge by touching the metal of the truck, will do that anyway, and as long as you don't step down untill you are done you should be fine. The insulating factor of the tires from ground should make all ok. "

 

[Lynn]

Here's from another board... don't know what the truth of it is... but he's a firefighter.

"The static should not be an issue if you take a few precautions. The main problem with filling the cans in the truck bed is the liners and the static that they generate. Even if you discharge yourself you can produce more by only a little movement before you finish filling the can and then... If you climb onto your sliders or door sill to fill them just discharge by touching the metal of the truck, will do that anyway, and as long as you don't step down untill you are done you should be fine. The insulating factor of the tires from ground should make all ok. "

For the most part he's got it right, but I take exception to the last part:

The insulating factor of the tires from ground should make all ok. "

The insulating factor of the tires is contributing to the problem. You need to have a path to ground, so the best practice is to put portable tanks on the ground.

Normally, when you are filling the vehicle tank you inadvertantly touch the vehicle some place and provide this path, but there have been a few fires attributed to people getting back in the car while filling. If you do this, then walk back and grab the filler without first touching a metal surface of the car, you can create a static discharge right at the point where the gas fumes are escaping. This is a bad thing. The NTSA now recommends that people not get back in the car while filling.

 

[ntsqd]

I seem to recall that the filler hoses themselves have grounding conductors built into them.
If this is correct them the danger comes from static charge built up on the person(s) and not the container(s) so long as the container(s) are conductive (i.e. metal).

 

[WJinTRSC]

From Expedition Exchange:

"The Super Siphon works with almost all liquids, including water, gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, fertilizer, insecticides, thinners, paints, solvents, and lubricants to the thickness of 20 grade oil. All of the materials in the Super Siphon are antistatic, so the danger of sparks is minimized as much as practicable."

Sure, there is still some concern, I agree, but this certainly helps significantly. Just my .02