T&T: adding the fuel drains

[Steve Sipe]

Rich Gano wrote:
> <snip>
>
> I don't necessarily recommend my method over the use of a vacuum, because if
> you end up with a problem when the original valve/plug is removed, the
> vacuum may save your butt.  Of course, the vacuum could fail or come loose
> too when you are in the midst of depending on it.
>
> Rich Gano
> CALYPSO (GB-42 #295)
> <snip>
There is a chance that the vacuum cleaner method *could* end up getting 
some atomized fuel or vapor in the air stream, and that air stream 
sometimes goes right through the windings of the motor where there can 
be an active arc. Not terribly likely, but IMHO, not worth the risk. As 
an experienced plbg/hvac service guy, over the 25+ years I've been doing 
piping and such, I've changed plenty of fittings/valves piping 
"on-the-fly". As long as the process is thought out and you have 
carefully considered all the potential problems, it's gotta be safer 
than using a shop vac. Despite sounding like a pretty cool approach, the 
vac method is inherently fraught with danger, and it only takes that one 
time to cause a catastrophe. I have experience working on oil-burning 
equipment, and the right combination of atomized fuel, air and ignition 
can result in an explosion. Granted, fuel oil's not as volatile as 
gasoline, but still deserving of a great deal of respect.

This thread hit home since just this March my 24 yr old son was using a 
"pony pump" -like we frequently use on our boats- to pump gasoline out 
of the tank of a vehicle he was working on - in my shop. The vapors from 
the open bucket of gasoline were ignited by the brushes in the the pump, 
and --- poof!! We had a major conflagration in 10 seconds. You don't put 
out a gasoline fire until the gasoline is gone. He was VERY lucky he was 
not seriously injured, and I'm lucky the entire building didn't burn. 
Still, it was a boneheaded move, one that a co-worker had employed 
before without incident on more than one occasion, but there's no 
assurance that it won't happen, and IT DOES!

So if you're prepared to deal with the worst that can happen, have at 
it. Just be careful out there!

steve sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
undergoing repairs!