Attention: Have 2 pages to see today

Author Topic: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit  (Read 372 times)

March 01, 2022, 06:36:34 AM
Read 372 times

Cpt. Beyond

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 19
Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« on: March 01, 2022, 06:36:34 AM »
Hello,

 i have recently landed a new aluminum tank (built by luthers welding Bristol, RI) in my 1982 170 and wanted to confirm the size of the wire i should use to bond the fuel tank to the ground on the boat. I was going to use 14 guage marine wire with terminal connections from WestMarine and stainless screw and nut to hold the ring termination in place. Now wouldnt the stainless screws and nuts however cause corrosion to the aluminum tank in the event it is getting wet under the deck (which im pretty confident ill be dry) ? I have never seen aluminum screws and nuts... also, i have a plastic fill line with a metal cap and chain. From what I understand I am not required to bond the fill because it is a plastic fitting, only metal parts are the cap and chain it hangs from when open...

March 01, 2022, 07:25:59 AM
Reply #1

Capt. Bob

  • ***
  • Information Offline
  • Global Moderator
  • Posts: 6436
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2022, 07:25:59 AM »
I used a larger gauge wire for the ground but I'm not sure that's a deal breaker. Use the stainless nut and bolt on the ground flange and coat it with a little Never Seez.

Works rather well on the stainless bolts that hold the aluminum lower unit case to the motor.

Good luck. :thumright:
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

March 01, 2022, 11:44:51 AM
Reply #2

Cpt. Beyond

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 19
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2022, 11:44:51 AM »
ok, ill use 12 since ill have some anyhow... the never seez. the stuff in red can, copper based?
Thanks

March 01, 2022, 11:57:33 AM
Reply #3

Capt. Bob

  • ***
  • Information Offline
  • Global Moderator
  • Posts: 6436
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2022, 11:57:33 AM »
Personally, I have only used the silver stuff. Not sure it really matters.
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

March 01, 2022, 09:53:12 PM
Reply #4

boatnamesue

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 564
  • Jason
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2022, 09:53:12 PM »
Stainless hardware.  Gauge wire isn’t really big deal since its a grounding wire.  Agree w/Capt Bob…the silver stuff…but it doesn’t matter since its unlikely you’ll need to pull tank out again.
---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

March 02, 2022, 05:34:20 AM
Reply #5

Cpt. Beyond

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 19
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2022, 05:34:20 AM »
sounds good, thank you guys for the tip and reassurance. Any thoughts on the plastic fill line not being bonded? even though cap is metal. im fairly certain common sense would dictate im not bonding the plastic fill line...

March 03, 2022, 08:52:46 PM
Reply #6

boatnamesue

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 564
  • Jason
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2022, 08:52:46 PM »
sounds good, thank you guys for the tip and reassurance. Any thoughts on the plastic fill line not being bonded? even though cap is metal. im fairly certain common sense would dictate im not bonding the plastic fill line...

There is the rubber inlet hose that connects the fuel tank to the fuel fill inlet.  What are you exactly referring to...plastic fill line?
---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

March 03, 2022, 10:17:25 PM
Reply #7

Capt. Bob

  • ***
  • Information Offline
  • Global Moderator
  • Posts: 6436
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2022, 10:17:25 PM »
I believe he's saying the fuel fill tube itself is plastic/nylon rather than metal (stainless/brass) with the cap itself being metallic. Like a two stroke remote tank oil fill tube. :ScrChin:

Or..something along these lines.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/perko--vented-gas-fill--6586168?cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-GSC%3ENonB%3EProduct%2520Type-_-6586168&product_id=6586168&creative=504966947918&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx4Dzsb-r9gIVnOyGCh1d4AvFEAQYBCABEgK2XvD_BwE
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

March 04, 2022, 05:18:58 AM
Reply #8

Cpt. Beyond

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 19
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2022, 05:18:58 AM »
yes capt. bob, looks like that. Fill line and vent line in 1 unit all plastic except metal cap... no bonding necessary, correct?

March 04, 2022, 08:38:58 PM
Reply #9

boatnamesue

  • Information Offline
  • Posts: 564
  • Jason
Re: Grounding aluminum fuel tank and sending unit
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2022, 08:38:58 PM »
yes capt. bob, looks like that. Fill line and vent line in 1 unit all plastic except metal cap... no bonding necessary, correct?

Correct.  Hose clamps.
---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal