Fuel Cell Questions

-
ramcharger

ramcharger

Dismember
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
14,082
Reaction score
486
Location
Colorado
For all you guys running fuel cells on the street, I've got a question:

Does the interior fill up with fuel fumes? I smoke and this would be a very bad thing. Most of the cells I've seen do have a -AN style vent fitting that I could route to the outside, but I'm curiuos never the less.
 
The vent is suppose to have a check valve in it, so incase of roll over the fuel won't leak out. That line should loop up then down through the floor to the outside.
You should quit smoking, It would be safer
 
Even with the vent going outside the car when you fuel the car the fumes will seek the lowest spot in the car. This would be the floor area inside the car. I always fuel my drag car with the doors open so airflow will help move the fumes out if any collect.


Chuck
 
Mopower:

Yes you have a point, I should quit smoking these stupid coffin nails but it's easier said than done. Thanks for the check valve info.

Chuck:

Thanks. Fueling was definitely a concern. Good idea to keep the doors open. I'm starting to think that a fuel cell in street/strip car is not the best of ideas. That's too bad though as my Duster presently doesn't have a tank and really like the idea of having multiple fuel taps/returns already set up with -AN fittings. I figured I could drop it right in the spare tire well.

Also, does anyone know if fumes could build in the trunk and explode if there was an electrical problem causing a spark?
 
ramcharger said:
Also, does anyone know if fumes could build in the trunk and explode if there was an electrical problem causing a spark?
Click to expand...

This could happen even with a normal tank if the vapors leak out of the grommet, or a pinhole in the filler neck tube. Anything is possible.
 
Yes, fuel vapor could be a problem. Boats have a big problem with fuel vapor in the bilge/engine area, this is why they have blowers to exhaust the fumes before you crank the motor. The reason that the fumes build up in a boat is because the bottom of the bilge is air tight, if it wasn't the boat would sink.

Fuel vapors will always find the lowest spot (they are heavier than air) so if you have an opening in the lowest spots of the trunk, like the spare tire well, the vapors will go out that opening and won't build up.

The cell, cap and lines themself will be air tight when closed. The only time you will get some vapor is just during filling. But not enough to worry about if you have enough ventilation.

Chuck
 
I have a fuel cell in my Duster and I only notice fumes during fill up which you can smell when filling up any car but once inside and away from the filling station I smell no fumes at all. My cell is vented to the vented gas cap on the side of the car.
 
IMO ,There's no reason to worry about Smoking in the car if the "Cell" is Installed Properly.

You'll notice a few things going on in "My Install". The spare tire well was cutout and replaced by .035 sheet metal. Welded in Braces are under the sheet metal.
The Tube on the upper left is my vent tube. No check valve needed! The tube sticks approx 2" Below the trk floor.
The Tube on the upper right is my fuel return line. Presently blocked off at firewall.
The Braided line, bottom middle leads to the fuel pump. And Exits the trk area ASAP.

The Cap is tightly sealed !

I dont see any reason for "fume" issues if done like mine.

Maybe someone got better idea(s)? Post em here.

The only thing I havent added to my car would be some sort of "Fuse" on the main starter Wire. Let me know if you have heard of someone doin this.

Also , If ya keep the tank full there' less room for fumes in the tank.

Ebay 026.jpg
 
Mine uses the factory fill hole, and there is a #4 vent line connected to the factory vent nipple this is in my wagon

car stuff (1)a.jpg
 
Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! You have all given me food for thought and now it's up to me to decide what i'm going to do.

Please keep the ideas coming everyone and I appreciate everything you all have done so far.

Eric, I've seen high amp circuit breakers in the 200 amp range, but that would be my only suggestion. I don't have access to a VAT 40 anymore, but I would think that a starter would pull more than 200 A. A 100 amp short would probably do some serious damage anyway and not even trip the breaker. Wish I could be more help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top