Storing petrol on board for outboard/gene....where?

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D3B

D3B

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Its probably been done dozens of times before but as we currently dont have a decent search facility.....


there's a cheap generator at aldi tomorrow which i am considering....
most of the time i am attached to shore power but i can see times soon when i may need one. its petrol /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I'm only talking about one 5 litre container, and probably half full...

bear in mind only 30 foot boat so stoage areas are limited....

secured in the engine room?
there is plenty of space.


i would run the gene on the bathing platform just to annoy the neighbours /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Doug, anchor well is a very good idea, I put mine under the helm seat. Not vented, but no ignition sources in there.
 
bit of thread drift..but, I dont understand all these start up powers etc... but if a microwave is rated at 800w, what size generator would I need to run it? I have some feeling you cant just say 1kw will do,(or am I wrong!)
 
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bit of thread drift..but, I dont understand all these start up powers etc... but if a microwave is rated at 800w, what size generator would I need to run it? I have some feeling you cant just say 1kw will do,(or am I wrong!)

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Are you looking at the output rating or the input rating? - An 800w 'output' will require 1200w to 1400w, so you need to check the rating plate inside the door, or on the back.
 
If it was possible to buy a decent quality container, you could pretty much keep it anywhere. Unfortunately it seems you can only buy cheap chinese containers, that often don't screw up properly, to carry around a gallon of highly volatile liquid /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

If anyone knows of a good quality petrol container (with a spout, not an outboard tank), could they post a link to it here?
 
3 or 4 yrs ago an Oyster blew up after an O/b remote tank stowed in a un-vented cockpit locker heated up & released fuel vapour into the locker & bilge.
the engine or generator was then started. BOOM

Oyster issued a warning & recomended storing all fuel in the Anchor Locker
 
I don't know what an Oyster anchor locker is like but mine has got at least two potential ignition sources in it:- 1) Metal on metal - ie anchor chain on winch cog, and 2) an electric motor in the winch itself
 
It needs to be vented top and bottom and have no ignition sources. Anchor locker prob has solenoid valves etc, so avoid. You really need to find or make a dedicated deck locker.
 
The problem is not so much about storing a can of fuel but of storing the whole generator. It is unlikely to be practical or convenient to drain the generator's fuel tank every time that you use it.

I currently store my generator in the cockpit as this is well ventilated and also has drains to outside the hull. On previous boats I have stored it on the bathing platform or in the tender (towed, not on davits).
 
The basic rule of thumb is never store a remote fuel can or container or engine / genset with their own fuel supply in a engine bay, the heat tends to cause them to vent vapour directly into this space which can result in a number of side effects which are best avoided, self reving engines, fire, small expolsions etc. I think a neat little ss chassis on the bathing platform with a nice custom cover would be the safest and most practical solution for the generator. It could also be chained or fixed to the chassis for security. I think a small quantity say 5 litres of additional fuel stowed in the cockpit would be ok, ensure the container is new and ce marked. It may well also be worth consulting your insurance company for guidance maybe? After all they probably have a better idea of what is an acceptable risk.
 
Ah, I'm with you now. Yes I agree the anchor locker is a vented space, but for any vapour to be vented it first has to escape so there is always a chance there is some residual vapour there and the only point I was making - perhaps over cautiously - was that my anchor locker does have a couple of potential ignition sources in it.

You would agree that a properly vented gas locker is also a suitable place to store the petrol?
 
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It is unlikely to be practical or convenient to drain the generator's fuel tank every time that you use it.

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An empty and unvented petrol fuel tank is a bomb waiting for ignition. A full petrol tank is safer in fact.
 
Just a thought but your probably better off spending the money on a 3000w inverter and spare batteries.
I did this on my doral which has a single ceramic hob, the inverter runs this at full power for about 25 mins with two 110amp hour batteries fitted.obviously you need to fit a battery separator to avoid running down the engine batteries.
 
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