Diesel and ignition

You can throw a lighted match on diesel and the match will extinguish.


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Diesel being a fuel can be dangerous particularly when pressure and temperature of the product increase. (That's how you get ignition in a diesel engine) The 'flash point' of diesel is higher than petrol i.e. the temperature at which it will ignite. If the jerry cans are of good quality, absolutely no leaks and the fridge is also electrically sound (I guess that means no shorts or sparks flying everywhere) then it SHOULD be safe(r). However as an added precaution why not place each jerrycan into a suitable sized garbage bag, expell as much air as you can from each bag, tie off the top to seal it and you have minimized the possibility of any fumes being circulated throughout the confined area. The other thing that is worth remembering is to have good ventilation in the storage area, that way if there are any fumes in the air they should dissipate fairly quickly. I would also ensure that there is as much distance possible between fridge and cans (jerry that is). I'd keep the beer (cans) inside the fridge! Have a look at this Link it might offer some additional help to you in deciding what to do.

Do you regularly carry the deisel or just on the odd occasion? If it's a regular thing you'd be best of investing in long range tank.

Yo Terry,

You yourself said a ventilated canopy so there should be no probs. The fuel is an ok thing but the hydrogen gas (explosive if an ignition source is around - eg static from plastics rubbing together) off the charging battery could be a prob if they are NOT AGM or sealed LA types.

Grrr!!!

Thanks Gents

Yes I stuck my gas lighter into a tea spoon of diesel and the fumes did not ignite and my battery is a sealed Exrider XV27 MF sealed type.
I felt confident with my plan, but had not thought of the gas from the battery, but I am ok.

Cheers and thanks for the feed back

Can I suggest that when you purchase a canopy for your new toy that you have a look at one with side lift up windows either side. I had hilux with canopy but only had opening rear lift up door on struts. After having that if I was to buy another hilux and canopy I would definately go with the two side opening lift up not the sliding type. Every time we went away by the end of the day I always ended up with sore knees due to jumping up and down and continuosly moving things around to get what I needed. Even when I use to pack it prior to leaving home and would try and put things in order of use I still ended up needing something that was right up front. As far as diesel goes I use to on regular occasions take 3 x 20L plastic containers and never had them leak. Last trip in the hilux was the high country and my duel batt sh it itself so I just grabbed the second battery charged it fully and threw it in the back of tray incase I needed to use it to jump the hilux as I was running the waeco as a freezer at -14 off the main start battery and wasnt sure if it would send it flat but it didnt. If going to keep the beast for a while I would fit a long range tank as the standard hilux tank are quit small 73L for memory you can up that to about 140L. Lone ranger tanks. Sorry for the long post but give you some thing to think about. Regards Steve M

Hi Terry

I have a 79 Series trayback with a Canvas Canopy on the back and air vents in the front to keep it pressurised. I have dual batteries on the tray and also a fridge and I carry two diesel tanks in there for extra range on very remote trips. I have a vent on the diesel tanks that goes to the outside.

Have a Troopy and also carry the extra tanks in it and have never had any problems. Another EO member, Doug T has a big tank in his Troopy with no problems.

Dick