17 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

When you say a cut of in the case of an accident can I just not switch the switch off to turn the pump off

 

Not if you're upside down in a ditch, unconcious, with fuel pouring on you!

 

Seriously, it's definitely worth adding an inertia switch into the system.

[Cooperman]

Coming from a motor sport background inertia switches are not something I've ever fitted. In competition they are useless as you don't want the fuel supply cutting out if you run off the road and are trying to keep the power on over lots of bumps to regain the road. When preparing a modern car for rallying the first thing you do is to remove the inertia switch by joining the two wires which run to it.

It is not widely known, but the biggest fire risk after an accident is with a jet of hydraulic fluid getting onto the hot exhaust manifold. Petrol fires are very unusual.

[The Matt]

That may be so for rallying, but it's an advisable safety feature on a road car. For the sake of a second hand switch for a tenner, I'd fit one every time.