Propane and Gas Stations

jfkmk wrote:

bid_time wrote:
Just one simple question. If the ducks all fell in a row and the situation was right that the fridge could cause an explosion, isn't the same thing likely to happen when I start the car?

Not unless you start the car while actively fueling it.

So if the guy on the other side of the pump starts his car to leave there should be a big boom.

bid_time wrote:
Just one simple question. If the ducks all fell in a row and the situation was right that the fridge could cause an explosion, isn't the same thing likely to happen when I start the car?

Not unless you start the car while actively fueling it.

Fridge is rather far from Gas cap, and at a higher elevation (Gasoline fumes are heavier than air) so, NO, I do not..

I do turn it off when I propane up though. Tank is directly under fridge and gas is under pressure so it might shoot UP.

Just one simple question. If the ducks all fell in a row and the situation was right that the fridge could cause an explosion, isn't the same thing likely to happen when I start the car?

You are supposed to turn off all sources of combustion ignition, including the vehicle engine, generator, all pilot lights, all electronic ignition systems.

I think to do it maybe 10% of the time.

It is one of those things, like RV fires, rare but devastating if it happens. (Here's the lunch truck explosion in Philadelphia.)

Personally, I don't really worry about it.

I don't worry about my refrig when refueling, more about the redneck on the other side of the gas pump with a cigarette burning in their mouth while filling their gas tank.

Well, not only to cover themselves but also because reporters, especially TV reporters, aren't the sharpest pencil in the box. It was just an internet rumor that got reported as fact, like others out there, and has managed to perpetuate itself. No basis in reality, much like other internet "facts". :)

I've never turned our fridge off when refueling, but the TV is a diesel so we aren't at the gas pumps usually anyway.

2012Coleman wrote:

dks wrote:
I turn my propane off, doesn't seem safe to have an open flame around fuel pumps. That's why they have no smoking signs and tell you watch for static electricity with cell phones.

Cell phones don't produce static electricity. I saw an episode of Myth Busters where they hun a cell phone inside a plexiglass container which also had gas spraying into it. Several calls to the cell phone produced no explosion. Google it or click here for one version. Static electricity can be an issue if you get back into your car while fueling. If static builds on your clothes - as it usually does, espically in winter, and you touch the nozzel, then yes you could ignite the fumes - as seen in the video. Static electricity can also build up if you put fuel into a portable container that is not on the ground - in the bed of your pickup for instance. They tell you not to use a phone while refueling only to cover themselves.

I blame it on the lawyers! There has never been a documented case of a cell phone creating an explosion in a flammable atmosphere. There just isn't enough energy.

Personally, I would turn the fridge off while fueling if it is running on propane.

dks wrote:
I turn my propane off, doesn't seem safe to have an open flame around fuel pumps. That's why they have no smoking signs and tell you watch for static electricity with cell phones.

Cell phones don't produce static electricity. I saw an episode of Myth Busters where they hun a cell phone inside a plexiglass container which also had gas spraying into it. Several calls to the cell phone produced no explosion. Google it or click here for one version. Static electricity can be an issue if you get back into your car while fueling. If static builds on your clothes - as it usually does, espically in winter, and you touch the nozzel, then yes you could ignite the fumes - as seen in the video. Static electricity can also build up if you put fuel into a portable container that is not on the ground - in the bed of your pickup for instance. They tell you not to use a phone while refueling only to cover themselves.

it makes sense as best practice to turn the frig's flame off while taking on fuel .... that said, we usually don't .... our fuel tanks are 15 - 20 feet from the camper's frig and gasoline fumes are heavier than air so they tend to settle

Jim