How many of you do this?

[caysea7254]

Ok in another forum it was mentioned that your fridge should always be turned off while filling up at a gas stations. Reason being open flame from LP tank. We have been pulling a camper for the best part of 30 years and never do that and never even thought about it. What about the rest of you? Thanks Tara

[JaxDad]

fj12ryder wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
...
Over the years I’ve seen lots of gas spills, accidental nozzle squeezes and nozzles coming out of the fuel filler opening while gas was being pumped.

...

And how many fires have you seen as a result of "lots of gas spills"?

Just one so far.......... but it was a million plus dollar car.

Clicky clicky.

But the insurance company bought my friend a new one and life goes on.

[4x4van]

My propane tank is directly below my fridge, so that gets turned off for LPG filling (the propane guy, if he knows what he is doing, turns off the LPG valve anyway). But for gasoline? My fridge is on the opposite side of my gas cap, and at least 5' above the ground. The chances of gas fumes reaching the fridge burner in a concentration high enough to ignite is almost incalculable. The pumps on the other side? You mean the ones that are 15' away and on the other side of another vehicle? Again, non-issue. Not worried. But I'm married, so I like to live dangerously!!:)

[DrewE]

I do shut off the fridge when fueling up (excepting the odd time I forget to do so). It's the law in most places, as it does have an open flame, per the fire marshal's definition of an open flame.

I also have smoke detectors in my house and RV, even though I've never had a house fire and they do go off with false alarms from time to time due to cooking, steam from a shower, dead batteries, etc. The chances of a house fire are relatively slim, like the chances of a gas station fire from an operating fridge, but why take unnecessary chances?

[wnjj]

fj12ryder wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
...
Over the years I’ve seen lots of gas spills, accidental nozzle squeezes and nozzles coming out of the fuel filler opening while gas was being pumped.

...

And how many fires have you seen as a result of "lots of gas spills"?

Maybe it’s the repressive no self serve here in Oregon but I can’t remember ever seeing these nozzle squeezes or nozzles coming out. Maybe there’s something to trained employees? ;). <—sarcasm

The most I’ve seen is a few drips or the occcasional burp from a top off of a gas can.

[fj12ryder]

JaxDad wrote:
...
Over the years I’ve seen lots of gas spills, accidental nozzle squeezes and nozzles coming out of the fuel filler opening while gas was being pumped.

...

And how many fires have you seen as a result of "lots of gas spills"?

[JaxDad]

LarryJM wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
When gasing up (Gasoline) I do not. the gas tank filler is a long way from teh fridgt ane at a lower altitude. gasoline vapors are heavier than air so the danger is ... small..


Only danger woudl be if I sprayed the thing. and that's not likely to happen.

Yeah, ‘cause that’s never gonna happen..........


From my earlier linked to article;

“Binder, 73, said the blaze started as he prepared to fill up the Roadtrek recreational vehicle and the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV. The light is accessible through a vent on the RV and connected to a propane tank that powers a refrigerator, he said.

SIC

Binder said the latch that holds the nozzle’s handle in the closed position was already pushed into place when he prepared to pump. Fuel spilled from the nozzle when he selected his grade, pushing the nozzle free and spilling gas on his RV and the ground.”

That example is a very poor one IMO since Roadtrek RVs are class "B" which are basically Custom modded vans and then the refer can be just a foot or two from a service station nozzle ... not at all like a trailer. Even with my trailer refer being so far from my Van I sure would not spray gas directly on the refer vent door ... that's just moronic.


Larry

Reread the story quoted, the nozzle on the gas pump was defective and spewed gas as soon as the pump was activated.

There was no “moronic” action involved.

As for your fridge being on the opposite side, most fuel pumps I use are double-sided, so a defective nozzle on the other side would be on your fridge side wouldn’t it?

Over the years I’ve seen lots of gas spills, accidental nozzle squeezes and nozzles coming out of the fuel filler opening while gas was being pumped.

Gasoline spills happen so often that all gas stations have a concrete pad not asphalt around the pumps to prevent the spilt gas from melting the asphalt.

[dodge_guy]

And another thing. Being outside in the open with air moving it would take a huge gas spill that you would have to be within 10 feet or even parked on top of to have any type of issues.

[Farmboy666]

JaxDad wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
NOPE........don't worry about it.


Too many other bozos jumping in/out of their vehicles while fueling, talking on cell phones, smoking cigarettes, open commutators on vehicle engine starters etc. etc

I don't think my chances of winning a big lottery jackpot are very good, but every week I read about dozens of people who DO.

In the immortal words of Clint Eastwood's character 'Dirty Harry';

"Do you feel lucky punk......... Well, do you?"



Sure, leave the flame lit, have a smoke while you're filling up, drive without a seatbelt, or after a few drinks, maybe text while you're driving, heck, drive after you know you're too tired.

Chances are you'll be fine.........



If not, do you have lots of insurance?

As far as the cell phone situation I saw one of those shows where they debunk old wives tales, they built a plastic room around a gas pump and put a cellphone inside with the pump running, they did everything they could and got nothing . My fridge is on the opposite side from fill. I’m more worried about the guy on the other side of the pump.

[dodge_guy]

My frIdle is on the opposite side of the trailer about 30 feet back. Trailer always sticks out away from the pumps/canopy. It’s a non issue for me.

[LarryJM]

JaxDad wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
When gasing up (Gasoline) I do not. the gas tank filler is a long way from teh fridgt ane at a lower altitude. gasoline vapors are heavier than air so the danger is ... small..


Only danger woudl be if I sprayed the thing. and that's not likely to happen.

Yeah, ‘cause that’s never gonna happen..........


From my earlier linked to article;

“Binder, 73, said the blaze started as he prepared to fill up the Roadtrek recreational vehicle and the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV. The light is accessible through a vent on the RV and connected to a propane tank that powers a refrigerator, he said.

SIC

Binder said the latch that holds the nozzle’s handle in the closed position was already pushed into place when he prepared to pump. Fuel spilled from the nozzle when he selected his grade, pushing the nozzle free and spilling gas on his RV and the ground.”

That example is a very poor one IMO since Roadtrek RVs are class "B" which are basically Custom modded vans and then the refer can be just a foot or two from a service station nozzle ... not at all like a trailer. Even with my trailer refer being so far from my Van I sure would not spray gas directly on the refer vent door ... that's just moronic.


Larry

[JaxDad]

wa8yxm wrote:
When gasing up (Gasoline) I do not. the gas tank filler is a long way from teh fridgt ane at a lower altitude. gasoline vapors are heavier than air so the danger is ... small..


Only danger woudl be if I sprayed the thing. and that's not likely to happen.

Yeah, ‘cause that’s never gonna happen..........


From my earlier linked to article;

“Binder, 73, said the blaze started as he prepared to fill up the Roadtrek recreational vehicle and the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV. The light is accessible through a vent on the RV and connected to a propane tank that powers a refrigerator, he said.

SIC

Binder said the latch that holds the nozzle’s handle in the closed position was already pushed into place when he prepared to pump. Fuel spilled from the nozzle when he selected his grade, pushing the nozzle free and spilling gas on his RV and the ground.”

[wa8yxm]

I turn off all 12 volt when filling with Propane. When gasing up (Gasoline) I do not. the gas tank filler is a long way from teh fridgt ane at a lower altitude. gasoline vapors are heavier than air so the danger is ... small.. Only danger woudl be if I sprayed the thing. and that's not likely to happen.

With propane the filler is almost directly below the fridge, and though propane is also heavier than air, and there is a shelf (the access door) to add to safety, the pressures involved make the chance of vapor reaching where I do not want it much, much, much, much, higher.

Question on a propane pump jockey test and my not entierly a joke answer.

Q: What happens if you get hte right mix of Propane and Air and there is a spark or fire
A: You land 2 counties over
Class: Laughter
Instructor: Exactly

[Ron3rd]

I never turn my fridge off when on the road.

[fj12ryder]

RasMouSein wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

RasMouSein wrote:
I never even thought about the fridge,
Well from now I will use it on the inverter while travelling.
In the end it's gonna save me a bit of propane since the alternator is more then capable of powering it.

I don't get when people say "it's 30 feet away"... What happens when you drive past the pump ??

Anyhow, If your fridge can be powered with electric while travelling, wouldn't it make more sense to use it ? I know will now.

You have a propane and AC current fridge? I'll have to admit I've never heard of one. The RV fridges I've heard of are usually 12V and propane. And the reason no one used the 12V is because it is a huge draw, and your alternator probably won't be able to keep your house battery fully charged at all.

And why would you necessarily drive past the pump? I don't when I fuel up since I have a diesel.

Hum... I would dare to say the exact opposite, but I'm no expert in RV fridge, but I'm pretty sure that most are 12v/propane and 120vac, well all the Travel Trailer I visited...
I believe it's 20 amps draw on the 12v when on inverter powered ac.

And for your second question, I'm just saying. I guess if you only fuel at Service Station that has Diesel only island separate from the gaz pump it would not apply.

Totally correct, I guess I had a real brain phart and got totally messed up. Gas and 110AC, with the old fridges being three way, must have not had my coffee this morning.