m8kwr
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 01:47 PM |
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Fuel Tank Position
Hi,
Maybe a stupid question, but here goes...
Is there anywhere where you should not put the fuel tank?
The only available space i have, that i can see, is behind the seat, which because i am going to be using a bike engine, the exhaust pipes are going
to be very close to it.
Is this an issue, either with safety, iva etc???
If it help, probably will, i am building (well attempting) a single seater, with a bec engine (zzr1100).
Hopefully by the end of the week i will be posting some first draft chassis drawings.
Many thanks
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blakep82
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 01:49 PM |
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download the iva manual, details below.
it can't be in the passenger compartment
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IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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m8kwr
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 02:08 PM |
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Many thanks for the link...
Now i have even more concerns... please see below.
8. Fuel Tanks must not be positioned near a heat source (similar in installation to that of a type approved vehicle), so that a leak could cause a
fire hazard.
13. Any fuel filler neck or vent must not allow spilt fuel to be able to fall onto the exhaust system.
14. Fuel tank filling points must not be located in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment or within an engine compartment.
Is it best then, behind the driver seat i have some ali (which i was anyway), position the fuel tank there, then before the engine's exhaust
system, have another piece of ali, thus to indicate the separation of the engine bay and the fuel tank.
Any suggestions would be grateful...
Must read the iva....
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tegwin
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 02:29 PM |
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I assume its a mid engined single seater?
In which case I would put a nice fuel cell up front, just infront of the pedalbox.... Behind the radiator.....
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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m8kwr
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 02:57 PM |
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I did not really want the radiator or fuel tank up the front, due pipes etc having to span the length of the car.
The plan was to have the battery up there...
I suppose i could move the driving position forward, pushing the pedal box over the front wheel axis!!!!
Does anyone know the minimum distance the fuel tank should be away from the exhausts?
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gavin174
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 03:14 PM |
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"14. Fuel tank filling points must not be located in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment or within an engine compartment."
i have the tank in the boot and was going to make a grp deck lid that will be fixed permanetly with the filler coming straight out of the top of the
tank to the deck lid..
as i will have no luggage compartment will this be ok???
 
Rescued attachment DSCF1294.jpg
http://www.essexkitcarclub.com
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blakep82
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 03:22 PM |
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iva manual is worrying vague about fuel lines and stuff, all is says about tank is:
Fuel Tanks must not be positioned near a heat source (similar in installation to that of a type approved vehicle), so that a leak could cause a fire
hazard.
wrap the exhaust in heat insulation wrapping stuff and maybe a sheet of aluminium between tank and exhaust as a heat shield?
gavin, as long as theres no floor to the 'boot area' and no way you can actually carry anything in there its not a luggage campartment.
it'll be fine
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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gavin174
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 04:10 PM |
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thanks for that!!
am i right in thinking you cant have screw cap filler anymore and the tank must be earthed
http://www.essexkitcarclub.com
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oldtimer
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 04:23 PM |
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There is also this business about no sharp edges/protrusions etc that can pierce the tank. Again quite vague, but I think we have taken it to mean
things on your own vehicle - such as bolts holding spare wheel carriers may be an issue in an accident, and therefore can not be behind the tank.
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blakep82
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 04:33 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by gavin174
thanks for that!!
am i right in thinking you cant have screw cap filler anymore and the tank must be earthed
5.
All metal fuel tanks must have an earth path to prevent the build up of static electricity. (this may be a separate bonding or the mounting
arrangement where it does not isolate the tank)
15.
A fuel filler cap must positively locate to the filler neck and incorporate an adequate sealing arrangement so that a fuel leak is not possible.
16.
The fuel filler cap must either be tethered to the vehicle or be of a lockable type where the key can only be removed when the cap is locked or an
automatically opening and closing, non-removable fuel filler cap
the full manual can be downloaded free at http://www.mevltd.co.uk/downloads.html
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 4/6/09 at 07:15 PM |
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Best to link directly to the VOSA site for the IVA manual - The one on the MEV site is out of date:
Link
The manual is being updated quite regularly and obviously the VOSA version will always be the most recent.
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m8kwr
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| posted on 5/6/09 at 10:12 AM |
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I have just spoken to vosa, and they said that i "should" be ok to have the fuel tank behind the driver, and infront of the engine.
As long as i have shown that i knew about the regulation, and show that i have tried to use components to comply with it, and explain my thought
process..... 
So if i used "aluminum heat shield" on the back of the bulk head (in between the engine exhausts and the fuel tank), would anyone believe
this would fail, or would you do anything else to try and comply even further....
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carpmart
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| posted on 5/6/09 at 10:45 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by m8kwr
I have just spoken to vosa, and they said that i "should" be ok to have the fuel tank behind the driver, and infront of the engine.
As long as i have shown that i knew about the regulation, and show that i have tried to use components to comply with it, and explain my thought
process.....
So if i used "aluminum heat shield" on the back of the bulk head (in between the engine exhausts and the fuel tank), would anyone believe
this would fail, or would you do anything else to try and comply even further....
What you suggest above complies with the directive you got from VOSA, Common sense makes me believe you will be able to justify your rationale at the
IVA test, so I see no issue!
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack 
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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m8kwr
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| posted on 5/6/09 at 11:09 AM |
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I did also comment i did not want the fuel tank at the front of the car, in case of a head on BANG, that to me seems more dangerous, and common sense
not to put it there.
Hopefully i can crack on with the chassis design now, and show you all what i have put together.... and planning on building 
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poloace
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| posted on 2/7/09 at 11:05 PM |
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my pre SVA car has a tank fitted behind the passenger seat. It was originally up front but space restriction made is volume very small. My tank is in
the passenger compartment and If I have a leak on the fule return line I will be covered so I will be designing a new tank. Most mid engine cars have
the tank in teh area behind the seats MGF, Elise etc.
Aslong as you have the tank in it own enclosure it will not be in the passenger compartment.
remember most production cars have a plastic tank with a tin heat sheild the the silencers passing only inches away.
I would recomend making some trials if you once up and running to check that your insulation is good enough.
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FEZ1025
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| posted on 3/7/09 at 01:42 PM |
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We have the same issues with the Freestyle kits, IVA may see the production cease as currently there is no solution, there is just not space to move
the tank from behind the seats with the filler anywhere else other than in front of the radiator.
Just be careful if you still go down the behind seat route, there must be a full 3 sided firewall with no holes not even wire grommet holes etc. Also
no leaking fuel can come into the passenger compartment so realistically they cannot share the same floor component. How do you propose to get
handbrake & gear linkage through to the centre of the passenger compartment if the tank is there. Currently on the Freestyle the tank straddles
the centre section which again will not be allowed in IVA.
Alan...
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