Product Manual

Page 14 of 29
 Use a portable container to fill tank. Never fill the generator's gas tank directly from the fuel
pump -the generator's tank is not grounded and the high velocity flow of gasoline from a fuel
pump can cause static electric build-up. Use an approved portable container to transfer gasoline
to the generator's tank.
 Fill container on the ground. Never fill the portable gas container while it is sitting inside a
vehicle, trailer, trunk, or pick-up truck bed. ALWAYS place container on the ground to be filled.
 Keep nozzle in contact with container. Keep nozzle in contact with the portable container at all
times while filling. Manually control the flow of gasoline; do NOT use the nozzle's lock- open
device.
 Use a portable container made of metal or conductive plastic. It will dissipate charge to the
ground more readily.
Static Electricity and Fueling
Many common objects can accumulate and retain a static electric charge. Objects made of non-
conductive materials (e.g., plastics) easily accumulate and retain static electric charge, as can objects
made of conductive material (e.g. metal, water) if they are not electrically grounded. The static electric
charge on an object, such as a human body or plastic fuel tank/container, can reach as high as
several thousand volts!
A static electric spark can be generated if the static electric charge stored on an object "jumps" to
another, less charged object. Such a spark can ignite invisible gasoline vapors that are present during
fueling situations.
Typical Sources of Static Electric Hazards During Fueling
The following objects can accumulate a static electric charge and cause an ignition spark in typical
fueling situations:
 Ungrounded tanks/containers. Any ungrounded fuel tank or container can accumulate a static
electric charge as a result of contact with other objects or friction during transportation. This
static electrici1y can discharge as a spark to the grounded gasoline dispenser nozzle, as the
nozzle is first brought close to the tank/container at the beginning of the fueling process.
 Flowing gasoline. It is important to note that gasoline accumulates static electric charge while
flowing through a hose or pipe. This charge then transfers to and accumulates in the gas tank or
container that is being filled. The total amount of charge accumulation depends on the amount
of gas pumped into the container, the speed with which it is pumped, and whether or not the
tank/container is grounded. If sufficient static electric charge accumulates in the fuel tank or
container during the fueling process, the tank/container may discharge a spark to the grounded
gasoline dispenser nozzle.
 Persons. A person dispensing the gasoline can carry a static electric charge on their body,
typically resulting from contact with their car seat or electronics. The static electricity can
discharge as a spark between that person's hand and either the grounded dispenser nozzle or
the fuel tank opening.
Preparing for Operation
Position generator. Use the instructions provided under Before Each Use/Selecting a Site. Operate
outside only, on dry, level ground with adequate clearance and ventilation.