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Old 01-24-2010, 09:42 PM
davew833 davew833 is offline
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Fuel Pump Wiring Question?

This is not an SVX-specific question, but is related because the SVX has a similar fuel pump arrangement, as do most cars these days. I recently replaced the in-tank fuel pump on a Nissan with an aftermarket unit and noticed that the electrical screw terminals on the pump itself aren't well insulated-- the negative isn't covered at all- it's just bare in the tank, and the positive terminal has a loose rubber boot over it, but I know I've seen some pumps where the positive terminal is bare too. Isn't this hazardous? What are the chances of the terminals sparking and causing an explosion? I know a submerged pump isn't much of a fire/explosion risk, but the pump's not submerged all the time as the tank empties. Anyone have any insights? Should I go back and insulate the terminals somehow?
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Old 01-24-2010, 11:03 PM
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SoCal LS-L SoCal LS-L is offline
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Re: Fuel Pump Wiring Question?

Chance is nil, 12V takes physical contact between lead and ground to spark, and it should immediately blow the fuse in that circuit. Given the fact that fuel tanks are supposed to be airtight, theres very little chance there would be enough fuel vapors present to cause a small puff, let alone an explosion.

Wouldnt worry about it.
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Old 01-25-2010, 08:52 AM
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TomsSVX TomsSVX is offline
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Re: Fuel Pump Wiring Question?

you can get an arc if the terminals are loose. The motor is simply resistance to ground, so if the positive terminal is loose, and makes a brief contact when powered, it coulf potentially spark... Thats why you have to make perfectly sure they are tight and they will not back out... Other than that... its relatively fool proof

Tom
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Old 01-25-2010, 08:59 AM
Cam Cam is offline
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Re: Fuel Pump Wiring Question?

I agree. If properly installed there is nothing to worry about. The only time I have seen anything put in place in a fuel cell to stop arc is on an airplane. And those tanks are much larger (the entire wing span in essentially a fuel tank).

However, I am always happier to over engineer things, or over build them. So for peace of mind, if the unit is still out of the tank, you could always insulate the ends. But like Tom said, make sure you torque the terminals properly.
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