I'm with the fuel vapour issue as per Chrisp, wbute and Innuendo on this one.
(I note the comments about the Ford Pinto, - I think the iconic book there came from Ralph Nadar - 'unsafe at any speed'? Anyway, he was the dude that exposed that Ford (US) made the calculation on recall and repair of the Pinto versus likely damages from litigation due to deaths, and Ford chose the latter, as it seemed to look cheaper. Ford didn't fare so well after it all came out... U.S. Supreme Court from memory.)
By the way, this thread mentions the Pinto but it forgets the venerable old Mini. The Mini sedans had an odd fuel filler cap , it stuck out from the body about 4 inches, in a roll over accident, it had a tendency to shear, the fuel could flow out, right into the brake light area, if the tail lamps or indicator were on.... and it did happen, all occupants burned. Ford Pinto city. (Not a joke and none intended).
Practically, however, I would offer this;
Whilst I believe that it may, I say may, be possible, given sound engineering design, to do such a thing safely...., hmmn maybe... you still have to convince the person operating any petrol pump at any station you fill up at to confidently turn on the gas without calling you in for a yarn. Which is a fraction boring if it happens all the time!!
Given that for instance, a BP service station near me wont let me fill up even if I'm wearing a beanie, and they know me! Company policy I'm told, I have to approach the window, take my beanie off, throw it in the car and then fill up, - in winter in Canberra!
And this summer, at the same servo, I watched an attendant slow down a line of about four cars in 38C plus because one dude was wearing a cap and didn't get why the pump wouldn't start... yeah everyone just waiting for fuel, to pay the money, and get outa there all pissed off with one dude in the heat because he got annoyed he had to take his cap off. Fair enough, I think it was ridiculous and (like others there, had a little growl at the service station operator), however, it didn't change their policy, petrol filling safety requirements are likely to become more stringent in the future, too, I cant change that don't blame me !!! But, considering that;
Why are they being so vigilant?
Well a mobile phone is enough to start an explosion at a petrol station, this has been seen fairly recently in Sydney (a Caltex I think), you dont have to see the spark, the petrol vapour finds it! Same with lead acid batteries, mobile phones are proven ignition sources for explosion.
So a 12v 15A source, ie petrol into an H series brake light housing.. Hmmn, I'd want very good engineering if it was my car, bearing also that the cap will get old, and may vent in hot weather at any time!
And whilst I agree, a 12v DC motor/servo is probably worse than an (off) or even an (on) lamp due to the arc at the brushes - and there's also the possibility of someone touching the switch whilst you are filling - regardless of that - fuel vapour can hang around for a bit - it may still there with a lamp that's burning, or may be about to be when the driver gets in and switches on the headlamps, and operates brake or indicator. Fuel vapour ignites really well, really easily, and it might not the first, second, third or tenth time, but the awh I dunno 133rd? I wouldn't wanna be the passenger.
Sorta cool, sorta, but I just dont see the point. Especially if the fuel station filler refuses to switch on the pump for you half the time.
It doesn't take much to ignite fuel vapour - that's what keeps us all motoring after all!
Torana had em behind the number plate, maybe that's one reason why they fail Torana on a craked rear number plate light lens? OK probably not, ... they fail Toranas all the time.. lol.
I dunno, I don't usually can stuff outright, but geese, with all respect, and politely, I really don't see the point in this one.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks