My father recently purchased a 5 gallon metal drum of pure Methanol to mix some Super Tigre fuel. It clearly states on the can to ground it so no sparks will occur. If it were just my father pouring the fuel then I wouldn't bother to ask, but since I will be helping, what is the method to grounding to can as to not cause any sparks?

Kyle Lord

Don't bother to ground it. Just get your Dad to pour it out!

Ed S

As an A&P mechanic I can tell you that grounding during fueling is not an issue to be brushed aside. Pouring fuel can create static electricity and if it builds up, it can produce a spark similar to touching a doorknob after dragging your feet across the carpet. Obviously, this is not a good thing when dealing with fuels. To be properly grounded, the fueling source must be grounded to the ground and to the fuel recepticle. (Fuel truck to ground and truck to airplane.) If you are pouring from a metal can into another metal can, use something similar to jumper cables between the two containers. If you are pouring into a plastic container, the possibility of a spark there is nil. It is also advisable to run a cable from the fuel can to a grounding pole, ie. a lightning rod on a house, or a copper rod driven into the ground.
In all honesty, I don't think you need to go to great lengths on this as you will most likely be dealing with minimal quantities of fuel. In most cases, it takes a great volume of moving fuel to create enough static charge to pose a danger. In the case of full scale aviation, the volume of fuel moving is significant enough to take the above precautions.

LOL......So, if your dad pours it, no grounding is necessary? ....possibly leading to you receiving any inheritance early?

I had to laugh....

I would ground it. It says so on the can. Wire it to a copper water pipe.

Also, plastic can build up static electricity and cause a spark.