When I was wiring my lifting pump and installing into the RA28 tank, I thought "what would happen if the +12V connector somehow worked loose or fatigued and arced onto an earth"???
Is it true that if there was a spark that the A/F ratio would be so rich that ignition would not occur? I guess it's pretty variable how much O2 is in the fume fraction at any one time.
When a friend and I were modifying the fuel tank we rinsed the tank as best as possible and when it came to braising time, my mate waved the torch over the opening (I refused to be in the vicinity as I know the risks and how dodgy his method of de-fuming was) a whoosh and long yellow flames belched from all openings for a second or two (!!!).
Now, had there been more air in there and the vapors more oxygenated - BOOOOMMMMM. I think we were very lucky and my mate saw the error of his ways, almost fatally!
Fuel tank explosions/fires are bloody rare but a large passenger plane crash a few years back was attributed to wiring within an almost empty tank (of kerosene) arcing and blowing it outa the sky.
2 lessons: Properly degas tank before modifications + be sure your in tank pump is securely wired!
Fuel tank explosion risk?
Fri, 13 June 2003 05:19
