Reading a fuel guage rod

[pcatterall]

Following my question about consumption one about the actuall measuring!!
We have two 50 gallon tanks and the only measuring system is by 'brass' rods with cut marks every 10 gallons. The tanks are shaped and the marks are consequently not equally spaced. They are very difficult to read and we will be grateful for your tips. I had some success with running a bit of kitchen roll slowly down the rod, you could usually see the moment it came into contact with the 'wet' section as a 'damp patch' appeared quickly.
Any other tips ( which don't include fitting sight tubes or electric sensors)
Thanks

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Make an alternate stick out of teak, sanded smooth and marked accordingly. Easy to read.

 

[vyv_cox]

Never had a brass rod, but with a stainless one the problem seems to be that diesel has very low surface tension which prevents it from adhering to a polished surface. Producing a matt finish with fine wet-and-dry helped a lot.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Run some chalk down the length of the dip stick after drying it. Dipping now will show the level of diesel at the point the chalk has washed off.

Or have it coated matt black

 

[oldvarnish]

I had the problem of visibility on a brass rod until I was sailing with an experienced merchant seaman who told me how they used to do it in the days before electronic gauges.

Simple. Withdraw the rod, lightly run a piece of white chalk along it to leave a thin trail of chalk, then dip your tank. The result is clear and distinct.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Make an alternate stick out of teak, sanded smooth and marked accordingly. Easy to read.

+1 Sailed on a yacht with a teak dip stick it was very easy to use, no fuss, no chalk, just a reading. Even wiping the diesel off and re-dipping didn't diminish the ease of reading. I guess you would have to fashion a teak dowel to replace the brass rod.

 

[jdc]

transparent tube

A rigid transparent tube works well - but be careful about which plastic (test first in a jam-jar of fuel).

Push to the bottom of the tank, put thumb over the top and pull up until the diesel is visible. Then lift thumb and the diesel runs back into the tank. Also useful for sampling the diesel to look for contaminant.

 

[KellysEye]

We use a wooden folding ruler, there are plastic ones now.

 

[dunmor]

i had this problem with my brass rods, i sprayed it matt black.

 

[roryj]

Mine is brass and if held at an angle to the light,
Can be read without difficulty. It does involve removing it completely .

 

[pcatterall]

Many thanks, I will try the chalk first, then black paint, then black paint and chalk, then hold up to light as well, then.........jump overboard.
Seriously...some good tips, many thanks.

 

[greggron]

A rigid transparent tube works well - but be careful about which plastic (test first in a jam-jar of fuel).

Push to the bottom of the tank, put thumb over the top and pull up until the diesel is visible. Then lift thumb and the diesel runs back into the tank. Also useful for sampling the diesel to look for contaminant.

Any idea where I might get some of this rigid transparent tubing?

 

[ffiill]

So why not a sight tube-so long as its plumbed in so you can isolate with a tap as is the case on central heating tanks where the tube is no more than a length of clear plastic tube which meets all statutory spillage standards for oil tanks.

 

[Billjratt]

My dipstick is 10mm white plastic pipe sanded to remove the gloss, with a "T" piece for consistent penetration, and filed grooves every 5 gallons.
I need the flexibility to get down into the bottom of the tank.
Previously I have used wood, but got fed up trying to store a smelly stick, the plastic doesn't absorb fuel so can be wiped dry.
It's also useful for mousing cables etc. on occasion.

 

[alahol2]

Had a similar problem on a gearbox dipstick into colourless ATF. Heat the rod to red heat and dip into old engine oil. You end up with a matt black surface that won't rub off and makes it easy to see the level. My dipstick was steel, not sure whether it will work on brass but worth a try?

 

[jdc]

pipette

Any idea where I might get some of this rigid transparent tubing?

My original was from a novelty drinking 'straw', but I lost that some years ago. Now I use a serological 25ml pipette. Most are HD polystryrene, but some are polypropylene, which is better for fuel I think. I begged a used one from a vet, but a quick look on Google shows many lab suppliers selling on-line. My tanks are rather flat (and correspondingly wide) being under the cabin sole so I only need it 35cm long.