Storing a portable genny with petrol in it??

[Richard10002]

I'm toying with starting up the Honda generator I bought in October 2007!! It's stored in the forecabin at present - having never contained oil or petrol.

However.... I recall the RYA Diesel engine Instructer asking us where we stored our outboard petrol can.... He went on to say that the fumes are the equivalent of LPG, and there are usually fumes - so we should really keep it in a box like the gas box with an outlet at the bottom.

My petrol and diesel cans, (plastic), go in one of the lazarettes, which I am always conscious is not the safest place, and might blow the ar*e out of the boat one day /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

but where else could they safely go?

and ditto the generator - or is it well sealed if the petrol cap is on tight enough?

Cheers

Richard

 

[Cliveshep]

I don't know about your gennie, but I have three and all three have a fuel tap, two having it combined with the on/off rotary switch. One of those "lives" in my aft cabin on moorings and on the aft deck under way. It is noticeable however that there is a strong smell of petrol when it is first switched off, presumably the fuel evaporating from the carb on the hot unit.

The only thing I can do short of leaving it out on the deck is vent the bilges periodically, for which purpose I have an (admittedly 240 volt) in-line fan and duct. If I leave it out on deck for a while after use the smell is no longer present when I put it away. It certainly won't fit in my gas locker although that is where the fuel lives, and attempting to empty it back into the can is liable to spill fuel everywhere and the oil will run up into the cylinder and cause problems there. This doesn't answer your question but generators due to size and weight do pose problems but they are also a high value item likely to go walkies if left safely on deck in your absence.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Do you have a gas alarm, fitted to the bilge area? If you do, I fail to see the problem, regardless of where you do store your stuff.

 

[silver-fox]

I can't suggest a solution for the genny.

However for the petrol can, I have found that there is just enough room to store a 5 litre can in front of the anchor windlass which is, as you know on a Moody, in a self draining locker.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have a gas alarm, fitted to the bilge area? If you do, I fail to see the problem, regardless of where you do store your stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's always something else to buy isnt there - This is something else that I've been conscious of but have never done anything about - I've got a hand held tester, but that's about as much use as my chocolate fireguard.

Like the anchor locker idea - that's where the petrol is going in future!

 

[Captain Coochie]

I keep all fuel and gas in vented lockers that act as a bench seat . Gas in a sealed locker and then Genny , spare fuel , fuel tank and second fuel tank . It was like that when i bought the boat and looking at the plans it was designed this way by the builders .