Is it safe to place diesel tank next to batteries?

[jabroni]

I have installed a chinese diesel heater into my van, and because of the limited space I have opted to place the diesel tank above the house battery. I am concerned that a spark from the the battery connections could possible ignite a fire due to fumes or a leak from the tank.

Am I being overly paranoid? :huh:

 

[whitewolf]

Maybe a bit. Why would there be sparks? Why would there be leaks? And diesel is notoriously hard to ignite. But to be safe, never ever do that. IMHO.

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[bullfrog]

Really your house battery should be enclosed to prevent something falling on the terminal and shorting it out. If it is a standard lead acid battery it should be vented to the outside. Batteries can produce hydrogen gas which is very explosive. Sparks around batteries is no bueno anytime!

 

[MrAlvinDude]

Make a test.  Don't do the test inside the van.

But make a test, to see if you can ignite diesel using a set of jumper wires.  I doubt you can.  My brother used to use diesel to put out firesticks.

Diesel vapor can be ignited, and can explode. But diesel vapor is heavier than air, so it needs a "bucket" (or walled container) to be captured.

 

[highdesertranger]

for me I wouldn't have diesel inside my living quarters. I don't like the smell. highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

Diesel and kerosine were the solar and propane of the past but they could be used for much more. I remember the coffee cans partially full that the legs of my grandparent’s bed sat in to keep bugs off the bed, leaning against the farm equipment we had just sprayed with it before putting it up for winter, the parts cleaner in the shop, the kerosine rags tied around my high top boots to keep the chiggers and ticks off in summer and all the lamps, heaters and stoves. Pleasant memories but terrible smell! Lol!!!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Diesel is kinda stinky....why dont you mount that tank outside?

 

[speedhighway46]

I think the probability of a problem is very small, but I wouldn’t do it. To re-enforce what HDR said, you’re gunna hate the smell of that diesel fuel inside your vehicle. It’s very incideous and eventually will get everywhere, even if the tank filler is on the outside.

 

[maki2]

First of all there will be no diesel fumes inside. The heater itself is vented to the exterior, the tank is also vented to the exterior

.My tank for my diesel stove heater is in the cabinet under the sink. The only time the tank is open is when I am filling it up. I have a funnel just for that purpose. I have never experienced any smells or spills when filling the tank. I was very concerned that might be an issue but it turned out to be an unfounded concern. I am  very focused and carefull when filling the tank, and I set he tank up in an orientation so filling  is easy to do. But just in case I have an absorbant, dispoasble spill pad under the tank and also pne if front of it during the fill process. Plus cleaning wipes on hand and a bag the funnel gets placed into. These things are easy to manage if you are not a sloppy slob who is careless or in a rush.

My battery is pretty much in the same area but has an 1/8" thick plywoood cabinet side between the two areas of the cabinet. I have a sealed lead acid battery, an AGM. No off gassing  issues. No sparks as it has its own partioned space. Nothing can fall against the terminals. When you do your own build you can put in partions in cabinets to keep your battery out of harms way. You could also provide venting if needed.

You are in charge of such things so just think it through.  Do good tank venting trough the exterior wall. Make it easy to fill. Protect the battery from things being able to fall onto the terminal area. Get a sealed battery.

My tank vent thru hull fitting was purchased at a marine supply store. It comes in black or white. I put butyl rubber tape between it and the wall to make a water tight seal. Easy to do install, just drill one hole. The vent comes with a nut to secure it.   Here is a link to the vent I installed for my under counter tank. https://www.fisheriessupply.com/sea-dog-line-nylon-tank-vents

 

[jabroni]

Maybe a bit. Why would there be sparks? Why would there be leaks? And diesel is notoriously hard to ignite. But to be safe, never ever do that. IMHO.

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I was thinking about worst case scenarios. I think I will take your advice and find a new location for the tank.

 

[jabroni]

Really your house battery should be enclosed to prevent something falling on the terminal and shorting it out. If it is a standard lead acid battery it should be vented to the outside. Batteries can produce hydrogen gas which is very explosive. Sparks around batteries is no bueno anytime!

I have a lithium battery. Do they need be vented as well?

 

[jabroni]

Diesel and kerosine were the solar and propane of the past but they could be used for much more. I remember the coffee cans partially full that the legs of my grandparent’s bed sat in to keep bugs off the bed, leaning against the farm equipment we had just sprayed with it before putting it up for winter, the parts cleaner in the shop, the kerosine rags tied around my high top boots to keep the chiggers and ticks off in summer and all the lamps, heaters and stoves. Pleasant memories but terrible smell! Lol!!!

haha, thanks for the insight!

 

[bullfrog]

Lithium batteries are beyond my expertise but I understand they have problems at temperature extremes charging, maybe someone with more lithium battery smarts will reply.

 

[Sofisintown]

Lithium Ion batteries will produce toxic fumes ONLY if they catch fire.
They have BMS (battery management system) however, that stops charging / discharging in extreme temperature conditions, as well as in case of overcharging / undercharging. Just get a reliable brand, they tend to have the better BMS.