Soldering sending unit from fuel tank

I need to Solder my sending unit, but wondering if there is a good way of cleaning all fuel residue so I don't end up in flames? Or a time for evaporation?

I soldered mine when I made it 3/8s.Used my big soldering iron.But if its dry it should not light up as the gas will be gone.Just make sure its out of the tank.Rocky

I have done the same with the unit out of the tank and no problem...just be careful with the heat because you can damage the sending unit with too much.

Thanks guys! funny rocks!

I don't think there's an issue once the fuel has all dried off. Its actually gas "fumes" that ignite, not the liquid. Once good and dry there should be no issue even though the gas smell is still present.

You should see my buddy weld tanks.He has done tons and never a problem.Starts the tow motor puts the exhaust in the tank lets it fill and away he goes.Been doing them for at least 45 years.First time I saw him I was out the door.Saw a tank blow once not a pretty sight.Almsot took my one friends arm when it blew staright up about 100 feet.Rocky

What Pete said, I'd be (way) more concerned about keeping the heat away from the windings. Would some clay/play doh etc around the hard line wick up heat??

Good idea Robert.

You could grab a tube of biscuits the next time you are grocery shopping, the tube that you smack on the table edge to pop it open. that'd save you from having to track down something (clay) that might not be readily available. (they are on sale regularly for 99 cents)

Good idea, he could also use wet paper.

This has nothing to do with welding a gas tank.

I'd suggest using a torch with a pointed flame, should be able to get the soldering done before everything gets too hot. Solder has different melting points depending on the composition, but it's around 400 degrees F. Red heat is quite a bit hotter than that.

Clean the area to be soldered and use the correct flux and it'll be OK.

R.

When I built my 3/8 inch unit I used a radio shack butane pencil flame torch and silver solder. I also used it to attach the sending unit to the tube. That was the hardest part. They use spot welds from the factory.

thanks for the additional comments!!