Fuel Sight Gauge

[BurnitBlue]

A sight glass based on a central heating tank gauge something like this http://www.bes.co.uk/products/075.asp?kw=13081&ref=googlebase&gclid=CPWercfR67oCFekBwwodyiQAFA#13081 (Labelled 'sight gauge', fourth one down) There is a push-button valve at the base that lets fuel into the plastic pipe for checking but closes it off when released. I believe that these may not be allowed on UK inland waters but otherwise an effective, safe and low cost solution. I am about to install two on my motorsailer.

Thanks for the info. Absolutely brilliant, will order one of the 4 or 5 foot sight gauges when I have measured the tank. My tank is a black italian diesel tank shaped like a fishfinger. I have to use it vertically because the horizontal position blew the filler cap off when the going got bouncy. No baffles you see but vertically it is a champ.

Incidentallly, my previous boat was a Hallberg Rassy that had the diesel tank as part of the keel below the engine. Fuel gauge was a clear plastic pipe inside a metal tube that went to the bottom of the tank. To measure the fuel in the tank, I had to pull the centre clear plastic pipe 3 foot vertically out of the metal pipe. Instead of holding a finger over the pipe for the vacuum, it had a floating thingy thing that stayed in position when the clear plastic pipe was raised for viewing. The plastic pipe had markings in gallons. I have no idea why the floating thingy thing stayed in position while viewing but dropped to the new level as fuel was used. The clear plastic pipe was empty ie no fuel in it when raised as no vacuum was involved. Caused many hours of speculation among visitors about how it worked. A mystery to this day. Any ideas?

 

[davidej]

About 10 years ago I bought a s/h Moody with a sight tube.

I couldn't believe how economic the engine seemed to be. We had motored for hours and the level didn't seem to drop at all.

Then the engine stopped! I had mistaken the top of the pink stain on the pipe for the fuel level.

Luckily I had a spare can

 

[Simso]

Reduce the risk of misreading by fitting a white plastic pipe over the clear hose, helps to support it too
Cut a slot over pipe by sanding part of its length whilst holding it in a jig.

 

[chrisbitz]

View attachment 41145Reduce the risk of misreading by fitting a white plastic pipe over the clear hose, helps to support it too
Cut a slot over pipe by sanding part of its length whilst holding it in a jig.

What a brilliant idea!