how close to the motor can a gas tank be?

[86neoplan]

I may take the advice of others on this board, and remove the sutrak unit off the coach entirely. That being said, I am going to be installing a generator. I know where that is going to go, but I have a question.

since I am removing the AC compressor from the passenger side of the bus, it is going to leave me a ton of room. I was thinking about putting a plastic fuel tak where that was, and simply run a fuel line up to the generator, with a small electric pump too, I'm sure.

Is this legal to have a gasoline tank so close to the diesel engine? I was thinking a nice small 15 gallon tank or so, just enough to run it.

the other thought was a small tank like from a chevy astro, long and narrow 17 gallon, and just use that under the coach someplace, if there is room...


any thoughts?

shawn

[DrDave]

I may take the advice of others on this board, and remove the sutrak unit off the coach entirely. That being said, I am going to be installing a generator. I know where that is going to go, but I have a question.

since I am removing the AC compressor from the passenger side of the bus, it is going to leave me a ton of room. I was thinking about putting a plastic fuel tak where that was, and simply run a fuel line up to the generator, with a small electric pump too, I'm sure.

Is this legal to have a gasoline tank so close to the diesel engine? I was thinking a nice small 15 gallon tank or so, just enough to run it.

the other thought was a small tank like from a chevy astro, long and narrow 17 gallon, and just use that under the coach someplace, if there is room...


any thoughts?

shawn

Fuel tanks should not be forward of the front axles or behind the rear axles for safety reasons. I would not place a Gasoline tank
anywhere near to the bus engine for any reason. Just asking for burn-down problems and potentially explosive results.

Find some place safe and away from moving or hot parts, away from where shedding a tire will not impact the tank. BOOM !

[NCbob]

But whatever you do....vent it to asmosphere and use a solid cap on the fill so no vapors (they're heavier than air) can be close to


anything which might park, or arc and burn your house down! 


NCbob


I fixed the double posting Bob. DML

[NJT5047]

I wouldn't put a gasoline tank in the engine compartment period.   Unlike diesel, any leak or accident and your coach is toast....not to mention the liability exposure.  If you have to use a gasoline genset, install a metal tank in a bay where the  filler and vent are external to the coach.  And don't put anything that could spark or ignite leaking fuel in that compartment (inverters, batteries, electrical panels, ect).  Treat it like LP. 
BTW, my Astro has a 28 gallon fuel tank?  It is long and narrow.  You will find some nice marine tanks that are as safe as it gets, for gasoline, and have proper fittings in them.   Auto tanks are going to require scabbing a filler onto the tank.  I wouldn't use a plastic tank.  They are prone to seeping around the fittings.   
Be certain the tank is bonded to the bus chassis...if you use a fuel gauge it'll have to be grounded for the guage to operate. BTW, a gasoline genset in the engine compartment is probably a no-no too.  Try for a diesel generator if at all possible. You'll have a much better outcome in the long run.   Single fuel concept!  Sooo much easier.
Good luck, JR