Clear stiff plastic tube for tank sight glass

superheat6k

superheat6k

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The existing fuel level sight tubes on my main fuel tanks are badly clouded making it difficult to see the levels.

Can anyone assist with where I can purchase some 1/2" OD clear plastic stiff tubing ?

All the stuff I can find seems to be a softer material. Must be fully tolerant with permanent contact with diesel fuel.

Thanks.
 
I would also recc'd you create an optical 'background' to the tube. It may even help with your clouded tube.

Its a trick of refraction : You take a strip of painted or tape Yellow / Black that is angled sections. Place behind tube ... the tube and fluid in it refract the image you see through tube .. it literally straightens out level the yellow / black where the fluid is.
 
As a petroleum tank inspector, I have seen so many sight glass and tube gauges of all types fail for so many different reasons they just make me cringe. On land they are a hard-stop fire code violation in the US. The UK sees it differently, but I don't want a bilge full of diesel.

For me, the only answer is plug the fittings and install a top-entry gauge.
 
thinwater said:
As a petroleum tank inspector, I have seen so many sight glass and tube gauges of all types fail for so many different reasons they just make me cringe. On land they are a hard-stop fire code violation in the US. The UK sees it differently, but I don't want a bilge full of diesel.

For me, the only answer is plug the fittings and install a top-entry gauge.
Click to expand...
On the boat I fitted with sight glasses I installed valves at the bottom of each one and only opened them to check fuel level, closing immediately afterwards .
 
I have the same issue. I like the idea of a small floating ball in the tube, but unsure of what material. Wary in case it disintegrates or dissolves in the diesel.
 
Boater Sam said:
I use a dip stick, fail safe.
Click to expand...

I have a dip stick marked of and also a tape stuck to underside of bunk ply .. so when lifted to get at tank - I can dip and hold stick against the tape which is also marked off with litres ....

There is also a normal pivot float gauge to display in cockpit ..... for general check. But when filling - I prefer to be at tank with the access open to make sure I don't overflow.

As regards sight tubes ............ most I have seen - especially on ships - have a sprung press to open valve at bottom ...
Press - read - let go. Valve auto closes.
 
Refueler said:
As regards sight tubes ............ most I have seen - especially on ships - have a sprung press to open valve at bottom ...
Press - read - let go. Valve auto closes.
Click to expand...
Some of the domestic ones listed on Ebay are of this type but with massive brass fittings at the base. I have not managed to find dinky ones suitable for our small tanks.
 
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