Fuel gauge for diesel tank?

[canoetrpr]

I have a 300 gallon diesel tank that I fill about 100 gallons. Lasts me about a year.

I don't have any sort of gauge on it or easy way to tell its level.

Anyone have any ideas on how to retro fit something to tell me how full it is? I doubt I am the only person with this problem. Most farm fuel tanks I see don't have any sort of gauge.

 

[FredH]

Do You have a Drain Plug in side ?

If so , add a elbow with clear tube back towards top of tank and re-plumb it into the top . Automatically shows you the level . Cheap and pretty easy .

Fred H.

 

[canoetrpr]

I do have a drain plug side but it is hooked to a solid line that runs to my shop to power a oil fired heater.

 

[SandburRanch]

I have a 300 gallon diesel tank that I fill about 100 gallons. Lasts me about a year.

I don't have any sort of gauge on it or easy way to tell its level.

Anyone have any ideas on how to retro fit something to tell me how full it is? I doubt I am the only person with this problem. Most farm fuel tanks I see don't have any sort of gauge.

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You can build a gauge glass/tube as FredH mentioned or use the stick method with a calculation sheet. If your supplier doesn't have a sheet calculated for a horizontal tank you can make your own with this formula I copied from google search.

D = tank diameter, L = tank length
d = depth of liquid (from bottom of tank), v = volume of liquid

Let s = 1 - (2*d/D)
Then v = L * (D/2)^2 * (acos(s)-(s*sqrt(1-s^2)))

Note: The acos function should be taken in radians, not degrees.

 

[PoorMansCat]

I do have a drain plug side but it is hooked to a solid line that runs to my shop to power a oil fired heater.

there ya go... install a "T" connector and a sight tube... Like others said, cheap and accurate...
Oe thing I WOULD suggest, install a small ball valve above the "T" just before the sight tube starts... Just in case the tube gets damaged and starts leaking...

 

[sandman2234]

there ya go... install a "T" connector and a sight tube... Like others said, cheap and accurate...
Oe thing I WOULD suggest, install a small ball valve above the "T" just before the sight tube starts... Just in case the tube gets damaged and starts leaking...

Good suggestion as far as the valve, HOWEVER...
If you leave the valve on and the tubing gets damaged, then fuel leaks out everywhere. If you leave the valve closed, then the level in the sight glass tubing will not be accurate until you open the valve, so just glancing at it could be misleading. Whichever way you leave the valve, make sure you understand it's drawbacks. Most people leave the valve open and keep the tubing protected, by placing it in a non traffic pattern.
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

he clear tube level indicator works till the tube comes off or leaks or cracks and all yer oil hits the ground.

at work, and like just about ever gast station i have ever seen uses is a wood stick. a tomator stake or 1x1 or lathe stick will do.

drill a hole in one end for a piece of jute string, then rut that to a eyebolt drilled / screwed into the cap.. unscrew and pull cap up and instantly see fuel level.. remove cap and stick completely to refuel.. etc.

ever see a filling station with some pvc pipes strapped at angle on the side of the store with a wood handle sticking out. say 8' to 10' poles. that's their gas gauge.

see the same laying on the side of most petroleum tanker trucks.

and whent he stick breaks all yer oil don't hit the ground...

if you do us ethe tube method.. do yourself a favor.. keep 2 plugs handy that are the same size as what the elbows screw into, keep that and a wrench in a bag and hang it right on the tank.. tht and a coiled piece of tube and 2 clothespins. that way you can either repalce a fitting, or repalce a tube, or pinch a tube off in an emergency.. or a neighbor could do the same if he sees a stream of oil peeing from your tank.. anything could catch that tube and yank it off.. or uv could make it brittle.. same with cold.. or tank vent could plug and it could blow off from pressure.. etc.. etc..

soundguy

 

[canoetrpr]

This settles it. I'm getting a stick! I don't even need to tell actual amount remaining. I just want to see 1/2 full 1/4 full 1/8 etc.

 

[MikeD74T]

This settles it. I'm getting a stick! I don't even need to tell actual amount remaining. I just want to see 1/2 full 1/4 full 1/8 etc.

Here's a calculator you can use to make your own dipstick assuming it's a round tank on it's side. Search for 'tank chart' if you have a different configuration.
Greer Tank Volume Calculator MikeD74T

 

[Soundguy]

nace chart.. math put to good use!