r0ckst4r Posted December 30, 2021 Report Posted December 30, 2021 I was planning on putting some aviation fuel into a metal gas can. I'm assuming that a standard metal gas for automotive fuel would be sufficient as long as it's clean and empty but I just wanted to double check. Yes, there is a grounding strap. Also, somewhat related, to clean said gas can my plan would be to simply clean it with avgas but also wanted to see if anyone had any other ideas or experience. Quote
jaylw314 Posted December 30, 2021 Report Posted December 30, 2021 They still make metal gas cans? The only one's I've ever seen are plastic 1 Quote
EricJ Posted December 31, 2021 Report Posted December 31, 2021 Any container for automotive fuel will work. Avgas will store better than automotive fuel, too. 2 Quote
N9405V Posted December 31, 2021 Report Posted December 31, 2021 I like these.VP Racing Fuels 3512 + 3044B 5 Gallon Square Red Racing Utility Jug w/ 14 Inch Deluxe Filler Hose https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AVQC01U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8HSFEGJM1XGXSYXSBKABSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Hank Posted December 31, 2021 Report Posted December 31, 2021 I bought one at Harbor Freight, it's a darker red and boxer shape than my other gas cans. The 2-1/2 gal round metal gas can is for chainsaw / weedeater / blower gas-oil mix, I bought it at my first house (purchased 3/93, sold 5/94; the gas can just keeps on keeping on). Quote
A64Pilot Posted December 31, 2021 Report Posted December 31, 2021 (edited) I just use a regular plastic gas can, put 100LL on it with a Sharpie. but first while the can is clean and fume free, install a vent and defeat that CARB crap that causes spills. Use a step drill not a regular bit, the step drill will leave a clean hole where a twist bit will leave the hole twisted, but a vent is a wonderful thing to have, I’ve not put one on a metal can so I can’t attest to that, but they work great on plastic Edited December 31, 2021 by A64Pilot 2 Quote
GeeBee Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 As someone who was almost seriously burned by static electricity build up in a metal gas can I only use safety cans. They have a static screen as well as can be quickly quelled. https://www.eagle-mfg.com/safety-cans This video is long but is pertinent both for can fuel and for self servicing your airplane. Quote
chrisk Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 I find a 20 liter metal NATO "Jerry Can" works wonderfully well. Very interesting history too. That said, they are expensive. Quote
GeeBee Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 Jerry can is what almost killed me. Painted so well it did not ground. I can still remember as I withdrew the dispensing nozzle from the side of the opening, the spark, I actually saw it. It is what saved me. I reared back, it singed my eyebrows. The problem with them is it has a very large opening, which allows a high volume of vapor. to chimney. Quote
A64Pilot Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) The actual “Jerry” can has a small opening, one not much larger than a fuel nozzle. The US copy has the big round threaded hole. However I though it was plastic cans that built static easily? And the big no no is refueling one in the bed of a truck with a plastic bed liner? I’ve always wondered why we don’t ground cars before we refuel them, but with a great many being refueled daily and pretty much never an accident one wonders how necessary it is to ground aircraft? I still do, just wonder is all. Edited January 1, 2022 by A64Pilot Quote
GeeBee Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 Because, tires have carbon, cars are self grounding. In addition the nozzles and filler necks are tin plated to reduce spark. That's a good can you pictured and the way they should be. Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) Auto fuel hoses have ground wires running through them. The gas tanks and filler necks are oxygen deficient so even if there was a spark, it wouldn’t burn. The measures used to limit the release of hydrocarbon fumes also limits the oxygen in the tanks. Most aircraft fuel hoses are also grounded. You can tell by the yellow stripe on the hose. The problem is our planes have the tanks vented to the atmosphere and have big fill ports, so it is likely there is a combustible mixture above the fuel in our tanks. Edited January 1, 2022 by N201MKTurbo 1 Quote
A64Pilot Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 Fuel falling through air also can generate static, that’s why fuel trucks are either bottom loaded, or if from the top, the fill tube is long enough to submerge in the fuel, so I stick the fueling nozzle fully into the tank. I’ve not had a problem with it auto shutting off for some reason Quote
GeeBee Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 Anyone ever look at the quality of the ground wire on self serve fueling stations? Some are very suspect. Quote
A64Pilot Posted January 1, 2022 Report Posted January 1, 2022 1 hour ago, GeeBee said: That's a good can you pictured and the way they should be. That is the original WWII German “Jerry” can, it was adopted as the Nato standard, but for some reason the US didn’t go with it. The Nato can has a better filler hose that doesn’t leak like the US cans. I brought a German Military Diesel generator back with me, and the Nato cans connected directly to it, the Germans had a lot of neat equipment. Quote
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