Fire risk?

[Simon F]

The cockpit locker which houses, amongst other things, my outboard's remote petrol tank, tends to collect a couple of inches of water in the bottom after sailing in strong conditions, although not if left on the berth. I'm unable to find the leak, so I'm considering fitting a bilge pump, but I'm wondering whether there's a fire risk in having electric components where there could be petrol fumes. If so, is there a way round this?

Thanks for any advice.

Simon.

 

[thinwater]

The cockpit locker which houses, amongst other things, my outboard's remote petrol tank, tends to collect a couple of inches of water in the bottom after sailing in strong conditions, although not if left on the berth. I'm unable to find the leak, so I'm considering fitting a bilge pump, but I'm wondering whether there's a fire risk in having electric components where there could be petrol fumes. If so, is there a way round this?

Thanks for any advice.

Simon.

Is the floor above the waterline? Fit a drain. I assume it is isolated (air tight) from the cabin. If the drain empties into the air, this will also vent fumes down and out.

 

[crewman]

If you are venting petrol fumes into the locker there is the potential to get into the flammable range so should not have source of ignjtjon in there. Either use a manual pump, or fit the pump outside the locker and connect with a hose.

 

[Simon F]

Is the floor above the waterline? Fit a drain. I assume it is isolated (air tight) from the cabin. If the drain empties into the air, this will also vent fumes down and out.

It's airtight from the cabin, but extends down below the waterline. S.

 

[thinwater]

In fact, there are standards for sump pumps in compartments with petrol tanks. Obviously. But in this case I would go with a manual pump. There is just no need for the complication, and automatic sump pumps don't even come on until there is 2 inches of water. In the compartment.

Is a false floor a possibility?

 

[chris-s]

I’m in a similar situation, tho with a manual pump, and am plumbing an ‘overboard’ vent line along with vowing to not refill the tank whilst it’s in the locker, which in my case won’t be too hard as it the cap is otherwise inaccessible.

 

[V1701]

How about drilling a hole at the lowest point of the cockpit locker to allow the water to drain out of it and into the bilge, via a small pipe if necessary. That would obviate the need for an additional pump.

Edit - sorry scratch that the fumes would also drain in to the bilge so that's a no...

 

[Graham376]

I wouldn't worry about a bilge pump, I keep petrol cans in the same (very large) locker as the Eberspacher.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The cockpit locker which houses, amongst other things, my outboard's remote petrol tank, tends to collect a couple of inches of water in the bottom after sailing in strong conditions, although not if left on the berth. I'm unable to find the leak, so I'm considering fitting a bilge pump, but I'm wondering whether there's a fire risk in having electric components where there could be petrol fumes. If so, is there a way round this?

Thanks for any advice.

Simon.

ABYC and USCG standards require ignition protection.

For a small space, this will keep water down to a minimum Whale Supersub Smart Bilge Pump 12V | Force 4 Chandlery

 

[NormanS]

Instead of faffing about with pumps and introducing a possible risk of fire and explosion, why not find the source of the water, and stop it coming in? ?

 

[Simon F]

Well, that was my first thought of course. But I'm blessed if I can find it.

 

[Catalina36]

Well, that was my first thought of course. But I'm blessed if I can find it.

Get a hose or a bucket and pour it gently around, not so much that when it leaks you won't know where it came from, but gently. Then block the leak. Let us know how you get on.