[AT] Waaay OT_Cell Phone Idiots

[Larry D. Goss]

This could launch off into a political discussion very easily, but
rather than take any jabs at lawmakers, let me simply ask -- Do you
remember when tanker trucks used to have grounding chains attached under
the bed that dragged against the pavement?  Those things always produced
sparks as the truck sped down the highway.  I asked my Dad about the
incongruity of sparks and gasoline.  His answer was that the concern was
making some way of draining the static electricity off the rig when it
was stopped because a spark could occur in a dangerous location if the
chain wasn't there (such as at the opening of a nozzle when inserting it
into the filler of an underground tank.)  The same is still true today.
You don't want a spark anywhere close to the opening of your gas can or
the nozzle of the pump.  Therefore, make sure your plastic gas can is
grounded when filling it.

BTW, I was always impressed with the idea that the grounding chains on
tanker trucks were the same design as the chains on George's wheat drill
that were in back of each shoe to cover the seed.  George, in this case,
was our neighbor, George Gilleff -- an immigrant from Greek Macedonia
who besides being an old world farmer, was also an excellent brew
master.  He kept the entire Macedonian community supplied in home brew.

Larry 

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Henry Miller
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 3:21 PM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: Re: [AT] Waaay OT_Cell Phone Idiots

On Monday 13 March 2006 14:53, Bill Thompson wrote:
> Very interesting.... I wonder why all the gas stations waste money
putting
> up those signs if its an urban legend. What's your opinion about the
static
> electricity warnings.  I've seen video on TV of that, but maybe that's
a
> hoax too.

How many gas station owners have taken physics?    For that matter, how
many 
city console members have?   (In many cases the signs are there because
of 
local laws which forbid using a cell phone when pumping gas, because 
governments are not known for doing research before passing laws to
prevent 
urban legands.)   

It doesn't help that lawyers tell the station they can avoid some
liability 
with those signs.   Eventually the fire marshal will complete the 
investigation and say there is either a different cause, or no
conclusive 
cause - but this will take longer than it takes other lawyers to bring
the 
lack of cell phone warnings before a jury.

Static electricity is a REAL problem - if you are filling a plastic gas
can 
(nearly all gas cans these days) in a truck with plastic bed liner it is
very 
likely you will get a fire in the bed of the truck.  Gas cannot burn in
the 
can (too many vapors), and cannot burn more than a few inches from the
can, 
but right at the opening of the can there can be a concentration can can

burn.  

Fill gas cans on the ground, it is easy enough, and it solves a lot of 
problems.
_______________________________________________
AT mailing list
Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at