Fuel Fill 90 Degree Adapter Part II

[GregH]

Was working on reinstalling the new deck fill & old hose onto the new tank today. But it's too tight a bend and in doing so also noticed cracks in the outer layer of that hose. So time for new hose and that's ok. Like the recent discussion on 90D adapters for the fill hose I'm going in that direction.

Can anyone tell me if polyethylene hose fittings (picture ) are suitable? The tanks are cross-linked polyethylene but is the fitting similar enough? It's one I happened to have on hand. If not I'll order in a bronze fitting.

[Al Schober]

Dealing with gas, I'd spring for the bronze fitting. If it were just water, plastic would be fine. Even sewage - at least it's not going to be explosive.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Originally Posted by GregH

Can anyone tell me if polyethylene hose fittings are suitable? The tanks are cross-linked polyethylene but is the fitting similar enough? It's one I happened to have on hand. If not I'll order in a bronze fitting.
Attachment 13328

Only if you know for sure it is rated for ethanol laced gasoline. Speaking for myself I would want to see something in writing from an authoritative source, in addition to what folks might say on a forum.

TRUE GRIT

[GregH]

Very true, been trying to dig up info on it. ACD Tridon Inc. My google-fu is weak on this one.

[joe_db]

I could have saved myself about $150 by getting one of those, but I could not seem to find anyplace where it stated "rated for gasoline and alcohol", so I had an aluminum piece fabricated. I am 99% sure they would work, but that 1% is kind of....

[zellerj]

The chart in this PDF shows that polyethylene is long term storage-rated for gasoline, ethyl alcohol, and gasohol.

Since it only intermittently sees gasoline (during the filling process) I think you will be fine.

I would put it on your yearly maintenance checklist. Give it a stout tap with a hammer every year. If it starts to change colors or looks like it is becoming soft or brittle, then remove it and replace it.

https://www.spilltech.com/wcsstore/S...LYETHYLENE.pdf

[CajunSpike]

I just replaced the fuel tank and did not want to connect it to the cockpit floor fuel fill to prevent water intrusion. This is a perfect solution to the situation. I put a real long fill tube on the tank. Using a 90 like this, can connect to sidewall of cockpit instead of floor. The new tank and hoses are 1.5" diameter.

[GregH]

I'll keep it around for an emergency.

Going with .... for more peace of mind.

[ndutton]

Be sure to ground the deck fill plate, tank and engine block together with #10 stranded wire.

[GregH]

Originally Posted by ndutton

Be sure to ground the deck fill plate, tank and engine block together with #10 stranded wire.

Already cut and crimped and waiting for next weekend

Grabbed some new fuel fill hose today. I handle this stuff several times a week and yet did not realize ( forest for the trees syndrome ?) how stiff the old hose was!

[JOHN COOKSON]

Originally Posted by ndutton

Be sure to ground the deck fill plate, tank and engine block together with #10 stranded wire.

.....and then check it once in awhile to be sure everything is still electrically connected. I check my tank grounding once a year.

TRUE GRIT

[CajunSpike]

Ok, I'm sure there is a logical/legal/rule reason for this grounding wire, but in reality since many new tanks are plastic and plastic is non conductive, what actual real good does it do to ground the plastic tank?

In the metal tanks, yes I see the use for it.

[ndutton]

It's the only way your gauge sender will work.
edit: and more importantly the deck fill plate MUST be grounded to prevent a static gradient between it and the dock fill nozzle. The factory ground path was the aforementioned #10 wire and I'd guess 99% of the time it went from the engine block to the original metallic tank and then to the deck fill plate.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Originally Posted by CajunSpike

Ok, I'm sure there is a logical/legal/rule reason for this grounding wire, but in reality since many new tanks are plastic and plastic is non conductive, what actual real good does it do to ground the plastic tank?
In the metal tanks, yes I see the use for it.

What I do knows that when you fill a plastic portable gas tank it is advised to place the tank on the ground so there is not a static discharge between the tank and ground.
Does this type of grounding apply to inboard fuel tanks? That is between the tank and fill cap?

TRUE GRIT

[CajunSpike]

Originally Posted by ndutton

It's the only way your gauge sender will work.

On the brand new tank I got, the sending unit has its own + and - wire built into the unit. The sending unit is plastic as well.
Hooked the + to power and the - to the fuel gauge input line.

[ndutton]

Typically we connect + power to the gauge, ground the sender mounting flange and connect its signal line to the sender terminal on the gauge. I can't say for certain but there's a chance your gauge will peg negative connected as you described if it works at all. Note - not a sender issue but rather a gauge polarity issue.