grounding fuel tank

[hydraulicane]

I've recently installed a new fuel tank. the old tank was not properly grounded, that's one of the reasons I needed to get a new one. as soon as I dropped of the old tank off
I was informed by the way the tank looked (little pin holes all over it) that it was not properly grounded.

my question is: if I run a static wire from the fuel fill to the tank and run a wire from
the tank to ground on my bus bar will that properly ground the new tank?

thanks guys.

[Capt. Bob]

Hydra,

Yes, you want to bond the fuel fill and the tank together and tie it back to your boat's ground. I'll assume you have the ground buss tied to a negative post on the battery (duh) so that will work fine. Some (like myself) tie directly to the battery (a frowned on practice I might add) but either way will work. Remember, you are trying to eliminate the chance of a spark at the fill by balancing the electrical potential between the bonded pieces. When they are balanced, no spark will occur. You don't want a discharge to arc between the pump nozzle and your fill port when fueling. They tell me bad things happen if that is allowed to occur. Keeping the nozzle in contact with the deck fill is another step (while fueling) to eliminate the chance of arcing.

As far as the pin holes, I'd think you will do more to reduce that occurrence by keeping the tank as dry as possible.

Good luck.

PS... If you have a seacock that is metal, you will also want to add that to the bonding loop. Tie everything together. Green seems to be the wire color coding for bonding but any color will work. I believe I used a #8 on mine.

[hydraulicane]

Capt. bob,
Thanks for the info. Everything went rather well. New tank is in, #8 green wire was used from the fill to the tank, then from the tank to the ground to the bus bar.
I had a heck of a time running the fill hose, but it is now installed and double clamped down. the vent hose was a lot easier to do. the pickup line is in position but not connected yet,
that will be today after work.
By the way, I did use the pasco method of install on the new tank, I want it to last. primed and painted with anti corrosion paint. when I put the cover back over the tank I think i'm
going to silicone the gap all the way around so no water gets in from the deck. (I hope).
then off to the non-ethanol gas station on old cutler road and franjo. it's bug season. I can taste the tails and rib eye's on the grill as we speak.

anyway Capt. bob I appreciate all the info and help.

Thanks,
Hydra

[Capt. Bob]

when I put the cover back over the tank I think i'm
going to silicone the gap all the way around so no water gets in from the deck. (I hope).

Excellent.

I would suggest you try 3M 4000UV. Tools like silicon and seals very well. Stays white and is easy to clean when it doesn't. The UV aspect seems to work well and it's adhesive strength is less than the 4200/5200, stronger (seems to me anyway) than the silicon and just as easy to remove should the need arise. Sold at any marine supply but I get mine at Ace. At least up here, it's much cheaper.

Good luck and salute Mt. Trashmore for me will ya?

[hydraulicane]

Capt. bob,
I will definitely use your suggestion on the 3m product. I was going to silicone it, but I think your 3m product seems like a better fit to me.
by the way the ace hardware on old cutler road is a lot closer to me than any other equivalent store.



and consider mt. trashmore saluted!!!!!!
that's a heck of a land mark coming in from about 20-30 miles out.
I told the wife, if anything ever happens to me while we are out there,
mt. trashmore will take you home.

[Capt. Bob]

that's a heck of a land mark coming in from about 20-30 miles out.

That and the Turkey Point stacks to the south. It was a little different navigating right after Andrew down on that end but the mount was VERY visible.

Here's a derail.

Not sure if you remember (probably too young) but a professor at the U proposed a project for the reclamation of Mount T which included a ski slope.
It's true. I can't make this stuff up.

Good luck.