Sight glass for diesel tank

[edmundwigan]

I am fitting a remote sight glass to my stainless steel diesel tank. I am using a drain tap to feed it and running the top of it to a T fitted in the vent pipe. All good so far and it works using clear flexible tube. I would like the reading tube to be rigid. It needs to be about a metre long by 1/4" ID.

Does anyone know where I can get one? I would rather it wasn't glass but some hard clear plastic.

Many thanks

 

[rob2]

I did something similar on my boat. I bought a standard oil tank sight glass from BES, for a heating oil tank, cut it down and fitted it. The main advantage is that there is a push valve at the base, so in the event of a fire, only the fuel in the glass (pvc) will leak down into the conflagration.

http://www.bes.co.uk/

Look under oil tank fittings.

Rob.

 

[NormanS]

I would second the recommendation to fit a normally closed push valve, but certainly, if you can fairly easily see the sight glass, it's the best and most accurate device.

 

[edmundwigan]

Sorted

Thank you very much for the prompt responses. That is a very useful weblink. I need a good gauge as my hours meter is a Volvo one (never works) and the tank gauge is a tank tender which is innaccurate because the tank tapers to the bottom. Once I have sorted the gauge I will go and fill up and mark the glass every 5 litres. This all started with a perceived need to clean out the tank. The Rival 36 has a great tank with a removeable side panel so you can get your hands inside to clean it out manually. I have also discovered that the drain tap only leaves a tablespoon of diesel in the tank. I have always drained a litre or so out to remove the water each year but was always concerned that there was more water left behind.

Thanks again

Edmund

 

[Simonpk]

I made one in the past, I used an aluminium or plastic tube, cut a slot down the length, (wide enough to see the contents of the tube) & bond the tube into it ? I also dropped a tiny ball that floated, into it to make it clearer.

Simon

 

[rob2]

The Rival 36 has a great tank with a removeable side panel so you can get your hands inside to clean it out manually.

My tank is similar (for "great" read 100lt = 5 years), with a side panel. What do you use to reseal the panel?

Rob.

 

[PCUK]

What do you use to reseal the panel?

Nitrile rubber.

 

[noelex]

I need a good gauge as my hours meter is a Volvo one (never works) and the tank gauge is a tank tender which is innaccurate because the tank tapers to the bottom.

Thanks again

Edmund

The Tank tender reads height of fluid the same as sight gauge OK with a sight gauge you can mark the reading on the gauge instead of a table, but it seems a lot of trouble and potential leaks to fit a system that IMHO is less desirable than what you have alredy got

I will go and fill up and mark the glass every 5 litres.

Edmund

Why not do the same with a table for the Tank tender?

 

[edmundwigan]

Sealing tank panel

The captive panel is a square shape of 3mm stainless plate with six studs down each side. For the pedants I am counting the corners twice! There is a rubber (?nitrile, black) gasket about 2mm thick which is the same size as the panel (no cutout in the middle). No sealant was used originally so I have just put it back as was. There is a frame for the panel to stiffen the edges of the panel on both the inside and outside of the tank and the studs are welded to the inner one. It is clearly a very well made tank.

I hope that makes sense.

With regard to the Tank Tender it is more complicated than I explained but that is not the subject of the thread. Thank you all the same for the advice.

Edmund