fuel gauge Westerly Konsort

[bgtune]

Hi
We we're looking into getting some means of measuring the fuel level in our tank, (westerly konsort) has anyone any ideas as to how to go about it
Bob

 

[Concerto]

A shortened wooden broom handle marked with ¼ ½ ¾.

 

[catalina1]

Exactly what I use

 

[bgtune]

A shortened wooden broom handle marked with ¼ ½ ¾.

Was thinking a little more high tech

 

[Seashoreman]

I use a 50cm thin flat steel like a very big dipstick. Came with the boat. Hangs in fuel locker.

 

[Sandy]

Was thinking a little more high tech

Bit would it be any more accurate?

My fuel gauge needs looking at 100 ltrs = full, 80 ltrs = 50% full, 60 ltrs = 50% full, engine stops due to no fuel = 50% full. Don't ask how I know

I now record the engine hours and fuel added.

 

[peteK]

Hi
We we're looking into getting some means of measuring the fuel level in our tank, (westerly konsort) has anyone any ideas as to how to go about it
Bob

You would need to cut a hole in the top of your tank for a fuel sender,you can buy the kits on ebay and other selling sites.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

You would need to cut a hole in the top of your tank for a fuel sender,you can buy the kits on ebay and other selling sites.

Yes but you must not get filings in the fuel and cutting can generate heat so best if tank is empty and steam cleaned of all fuel residue. Stick with the broom handle unless tank already has a "hatch"

 

[pvb]

Yes but you must not get filings in the fuel and cutting can generate heat so best if tank is empty and steam cleaned of all fuel residue.

Perhaps rather too cautious. It's quite difficult to ignite diesel, and it won't explode as such.

 

[Humblebee]

I use a 50cm thin flat steel like a very big dipstick. Came with the boat. Hangs in fuel locker.

Same here, simple, accurate and reliable.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Perhaps rather too cautious. It's quite difficult to ignite diesel, and it won't explode as such.

Caution is better than a fire - I know well its not like gasoline but it will ignite if you vaporise it as you can see from crashed jets burning. If grinding or drilling you will be in the vapour space sector, so rather you than me

 

[penfold]

Perhaps rather too cautious. It's quite difficult to ignite diesel, and it won't explode as such.

And if you are of a nervous disposition there's no reason not to fill with water while cutting. Keeping an accurate log of engine hours is a pretty good way of monitoring consumption, at cruising speed you'll probably be burning 1-1.5l per hour and as you're supposed to keep a log anyway...

We have a sightglass on the side and a dipstick, the previous owner obviously liked being sure about the fuel level.

 

[stu9000]

I have a dipstick and it's fine but...
... If I was pushing the engine hard, perhaps out longer than planned, and it was a bit rough, I'd maybe want to check I was not pushing my luck. However I would not be that keen to open the cap and risk a slosh of slippery fuel in the cockpit. Of course I should never put myself in that situation and always depart on a major crossing with a full tank. But personally would fit one if I could get to the top of the tank. But I can't so broom handle it is.

 

[peter gibbs]

Hi
We we're looking into getting some means of measuring the fuel level in our tank, (westerly konsort) has anyone any ideas as to how to go about it
Bob

You need to be able to drill into the tank from above to insert probe of a measuring instrument and reseal. Do you have the headroom?
Otherwise drill two holes in tank side when fuel level is low and insert sight glass.

PWG

 

[alan_d]

Was thinking a little more high tech

Why?
Fuel gauges are notoriously unreliable. The Konsort's fuel consuption is low and predictable, so dipping as required is perfectly satisfactory. I have a black-painted stick for easy reading, and 5cm on the stick is roughly equivalent to 10 litres of diesel.

 

[peteK]

There must be many tanks were you cant dip it as not a sraight run down in to tank,mine included.

 

[FairweatherDave]

at cruising speed you'll probably be burning 1-1.5l per hour and as you're supposed to keep a log anyway...

I've often wondered my actual fuel consumption on my Konsort with a Beta. I wasn't plugging the tide but did use 19litres in 7 hours at 2300rpm with a hull needing a scrub (but not that bad). So more like 3 litres an hour. I measure the fuel with a dipstick (notched sail batten) and it is accurate. So are peoples claims of 1.5 l per hour for Konsort sized boats that accurate? (Apols if this is thread drift )

 

[pvb]

I've often wondered my actual fuel consumption on my Konsort with a Beta. I wasn't plugging the tide but did use 19litres in 7 hours at 2300rpm with a hull needing a scrub (but not that bad). So more like 3 litres an hour. I measure the fuel with a dipstick (notched sail batten) and it is accurate. So are peoples claims of 1.5 l per hour for Konsort sized boats that accurate? (Apols if this is thread drift )

Lots of people dawdle when motoring. Fuel consumption rises quite a bit as revs increase, so if you tend to motor around briskly you'll use more fuel.

 

[penfold]

I've often wondered my actual fuel consumption on my Konsort with a Beta. I wasn't plugging the tide but did use 19litres in 7 hours at 2300rpm with a hull needing a scrub (but not that bad). So more like 3 litres an hour. I measure the fuel with a dipstick (notched sail batten) and it is accurate. So are peoples claims of 1.5 l per hour for Konsort sized boats that accurate? (Apols if this is thread drift )

The makers data graph suggests <1.5l/hr at 2300rpm; your tacho may be lying, you may be very overpropped, smuggling 50 caulkheads to the mainland, plugging into a strong headwind, carrying a kelp forest, leaky injectors or a combination of these.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

I fitted one in my Griffon when I had the tank out during replacing the engine.
Drilled a hole in the top of the tank with a hole saw for the sensor. If you have enough room you might be able to do it insitue. Possibly with a 90 degree drill adaptor...

When looking for water gauges I did see sensors that fitted to the outlet and worked on head pressure.