Diesel tank dip stick

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rogerthebodger

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What is the best material to make a dip stick to my diesel tank so the level is easy to read.

I have tried a stainless steel rod which is useless and a softwood dowel which is better but still not easy to read.
 
Rogershaw said:
What is the best material to make a dip stick to my diesel tank so the level is easy to read.

I have tried a stainless steel rod which is useless and a softwood dowel which is better but still not easy to read.
Click to expand...

Stainless steel would be good BUT, you have to have deep etched groves across it to hold the diesel. Why not try a simple float switch?
Good luck

Peter
 
Thanks so far

Cannot get to the sides and any of my 3 diesel tanks (one is in the keel)

I do have an electrical tank gauge but would also like a "mechanical" means of measuring the diesel level.

I also have a float switch to tell me when the tank is almost full to stop over filling.
 
We always used a hardwood batten. A dark wood, mahogany or something similar I think.

Perfectly satisfactory and lived in a corner of the cockpit locker

Pencil line on it to mark "full", but a shallow groove might be better.

Never any suggestion that anything more eloborate was necessary.

Just wipe it clean with a sheet of EBR before use and to remove the diesel after use.
 
Nothing wrong with a length of 10mm softwood dowel. Fuel level shows best if you paint it matt black (with a diesel-resistant paint, obviously). Calibrate with contrasting paint marks. After five years all the electrical components are as good as new :)
 
We have an old narrow dinghy sail batten, this shows the level quite well itself, but then there are holes drilled every inch which fill with diesel.

Also easy to enscribe the volumes.

For metal dull, unpolished brass rod with rings works well.
 
I also use a round hardwood dowel,marked with grooves at the 1/4 1/2 3/4 and full levels.Mine is a rectangular tank of 10 gallon capacity so each mark is at a 2 1/2 gall level,if your tank is not a square or rectangular one then this is less easy to mark off the dowel. I make a point of refilling at the 1/4 tank level anyway,plus 2 galls in a container as emergency,which i change at each filling. Simple is best!
 
Wood is good and simple. A sight glass, as suggested by Sailorman is even better, but for some reason is not allowed by Inland Waterways Boat Safety Scheme. Doesn't bother me now, but I used to winter my previous boat in the Caley canal. Surveyor used to say, "Hm, I see you have sight glasses".
"Yes", I would say, "and if you like, I'll take them off for you".
The same Boat Safety Scheme isn't keen on dip sticks either, they must be made so that they can't hit the bottom of the tank.
 
How about a transparent tube? I've used a fairly rigid acrylic (I think) tube of about 6mm diameter. Push tube in so it touches the bottom of the tank, put thumb over the end then pull it nearly all the way out. You can see the amount of fuel, and can let the sample run back into the tank by lifting your thumb. It's good for sampling the fuel as well for testing if there's water or contaminant etc (which is why I tried it in the first place).
 
Careful !

I have a 45 gallon tank. The dipstick for this is made of mild steel which has discoloured so the fuel level shows clearly when you pull it out to inspect it.

You have to be careful when using a metal dipstick not to drop it in because they have been known to punch a hole in the bottom of the tank.:eek:

Therefore you must take three precautions:~

The first is that it is shaped like a very long crucifix so that it cannot fall in and also each reading is accurate relative to the last.

The second precaution is that the shank length must be say 1/4 " shorter than the internal height of the tank so that the risk of accidental puncture is eliminated.

The third precaution is that the diameter must be such that it cannot easily be bent. It should be straight always.

Mine lives in a corner of my sail locker, suspended in a length of plastic piping that acts like a scabbard and is lightly lashed there to stop it wandering about in a seaway.

I hope this helps.:D
 
we have 2 x 140 Litre tanks and dip them with an old cars automatic transmission dip stick; it has small notches hack sawed into one edge and numbers punched into it to indicate content in 10 litre increments.

Before you ask why such big tanks on a cat, she was built in the USA and sailed to OZ, she also has 4 water tanks and will carry 1.2 tonnes of water.

We only use the flexible tanks aft, the larger forward tanks are marked for removal at some time, no rush, having too much fun as is.

Avagoodweekend......
 
VicS said:
We always used a hardwood batten. A dark wood, mahogany or something similar I think.

Perfectly satisfactory and lived in a corner of the cockpit locker

Pencil line on it to mark "full", but a shallow groove might be better.

Never any suggestion that anything more eloborate was necessary.

Just wipe it clean with a sheet of EBR before use and to remove the diesel after use.
Click to expand...

What is EBR?
 
Diesel tank dipstick

When we bought Yanina she came with a Tufnol dipstick, about 2mm x 10mm in section, with needle file marks and numbers for gallons. I updated it on the other side with file marks for litres. It's easy to read, flexible, doesn't rust or cause sparks and as Yanina's 32 years old it's lasted well. We still have some Tufnol blocks and spring cleats on board. There's a stainless steel key ring in one end to hang it up too.
 
Agreed that the lowest tech solutions are the best.
GOOD TIP - got this from an old ship's engineer: if you use a brass or steel rod and find it difficult to see where the mark is, before inserting the dipstick into the tank lightly draw a piece of chalk down it and then the level will be crystal clear.
 
What is EBR?
Click to expand...
I thought no one was going to ask!

Elephant bog roll of course. You'll find one in every kitchen and indispensable on the boat.



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