Dip stick for diesel fuel tank

coromar

coromar

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Dec 2004
Messages
119
Visit site
Although I have fuel gauges for my tanks, I wish to have a dip stick.

As there is a little offset between the filler and the tank, I need a stick that is thin but strong and bendy.

Wood would be my first choice as it is easy to see the level, but would give off shavings into the tank if it gets caught on the filler.

Any ideas welcome.

Best wishes,

Paul
 
Diesel shows better on piece of wood than metal.

You can sand metal to show better or mark with a hacksaw.

Bamboo strip ?

You would need to calibrate tank to mark a dip stick accurately ie 10 litres and check then another 10 etc.

You could lie a stick after dipping alongside a tape measure or a marked board to show inches or litres?
 
Why not visit a vehicle scrap yard and find an old one. Some of the ones used with automatic gearboxes are very flexible. Grind notches every 5 litres
 
Get a piece of 1/2 " plumbing pipe like acorn,and plug either end so no diesel spills when you pull it out,its flexible too.
 
I didn't trust my diesel gauge on a previous boat so I fitted a simple sight gauge.

90 degree fitting at the base of the tank (pointing up, of course) with clear pipe fastened to it, pipe supported against the body of the tank. Then fill the tank with measured quantities and mark the sight gauge (clear pipe) accordingly. Works a treat, and you don't even get your hands dirty.
 
carlton said:
I didn't trust my diesel gauge on a previous boat so I fitted a simple sight gauge.

90 degree fitting at the base of the tank (pointing up, of course) with clear pipe fastened to it, pipe supported against the body of the tank. Then fill the tank with measured quantities and mark the sight gauge (clear pipe) accordingly........
Click to expand...
We have this setup and works great!!...

But why not take this simple concept a bit further....

1) Same principle, but with extended pipe (sight) above deck level into a swan neck which then is returned upwards again( S - Shape).
2) When Tank is empty fill bottom (from top of last U) with coloured liquid (eg. drop of Lube oil)
3) Repeat the filling steps from quited post and you'll have a pneumatic gauge at deck level... (air Pressure from bottom of tank will push oil bubble upwards to top of hose, but will not go beyond bottom of U when empty)

I'll fit something like this myself one day wen I get the time....(and find the right location...)

Sorry if this was a bit too PBO.. :D
 
i used to use a steel metre rule, it was somewhat bendy and thin enough to get in.

it also had a scale on it obviously
 
Whats the reason for not useing the gauges. Mine stay on full, then start dropping like a stone. But there still very accurate. It's just a case of understanding them.
I work on the priciple that once a tank starts showing less than 3/4 it needs filling again.

But I need a hundred and odd mile trip for this to happen..

Is it that you want the last dregs, or a serious question.
 
Hi all,

Thank you for your ideas. The reason I want a dip stick for back up for my gauges is I wanted to carry a little less fuel to save some!

As I carry one ton of diesel when full up, and like hlb my gauges drop like a stone when 3/4 or 1/2 full, I felt a dip stick would give me peace of mind.

Best wishes,

Paul
 
get a piece of steel rod, get it red hot and then pour engine oil on it this will give you a nice blue black finish.so the level can be read.they used to do gun barrels somewhat similar.
 
What ever you use ... paint with blackboard or flat black paint ... diesel cut then shows much clearer.
If you are worried about scraping the wood - bamboo stick from garden shop or those fancy plastic covered green ones are nice ... you can always slip into a plastic clear tube ... then insert into tank ... withdraw stick via the tube ... you could even fix the tube in the tank if you have suitable way to do it ... saves scraping the metal edge then.

My tank - I have a strip of masking tape stuck along the underside of the cover ... I can then lay stick against it to see how much fuel.

To those with sight tubes ... an old trick to see the level better in poor light etc. is to paint a board to fix behind the tube ... paint it same as a barbers pole ... red and white slanted stripes. The fuel will refract the lines and they appear straighter where fuel is ...
 
I use the end section of a fishing rod with a small tassle hanging of the end of it. It's not always easy to tell if their REALLY fuel on the end of the rod or not and the little bit of rag on the end helps tremendously.
As a footnote - Why is it that boat manufacturers of all shapes, sizes and prices don't seems to be able to produce a fuel tank which has an accurate gauge? Even the cheapest of cars can do that!
 
The problem with clear sight gauges, plastic or glass, is that they are vunerable in the event of an engine room fire and may result in the contents of your fuel tank(s) feeding the flames. They are banned by some boat safety schemes and even if your boat is not subject to one, your insurance company may take a dim view of this obvious increase in risk.
 
pheran said:
The problem with clear sight gauges, plastic or glass, is that they are vunerable in the event of an engine room fire and may result in the contents of your fuel tank(s) feeding the flames. They are banned by some boat safety schemes and even if your boat is not subject to one, your insurance company may take a dim view of this obvious increase in risk.
Click to expand...

Fit small ball valves and suitable tails to the top and bottom outlets and only open them when you need to take a reading. You could even spring load the valve handles so they can't be left open.
This should meet coding/survey standards.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top