Fuel gauge for diesel tank?

[SandburRanch]

The tape measure I used for years sticking oil tanks stayed well lubed.

 

[Farmerford]

I bought a 2 1/2" diameter low pressure gauge that reads in inches of water pressure (0-60) and installed it in a tee in the drain outlet. $30 or so on line. The specific gravity of diesel fuel is about 80% of the specific gravity of water so it will read about 25% low. To be accurate you can calibrate the gauge using the stick method one time. Now a quick glance at the gauge tells me how much fuel is in the tank.

 

[PoorMansCat]

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

this is true... the tanks used in this part of the country are elevated so that nothing can damage the sight tube. They are also installed inside a lined earthen berm or other container to prevent any dripping/spill from contaminating the surrounding area.

 

[Soundguy]

it can still dry rot.. and I don't want to syphon my fuel out of an earthen berm..

just sayin.. stick works fine for most of the gas stations in this country..

 

[FLHayman]

I have a 500 gallon skid tank that I bolted to a trailer, and it looks very generic, about 4 foot diameter by about 7 or 8 feet long. I can't remember where I bought it, but I have a plastic mechanical gauge that screws in one of the top holes, and actually has a lever and float that is attached inside the tank. It is crude, but you can glance at the red indicator against the clear plastic tube that surrounds it and get an idea of how much is left. I think the gauge came from a fuel supplier here in Florida.

In fact, what I also do is use a 100 gallon fuel counter plumbed into the pump, and every time it passes 99.9, I write on the side of the tank what the new level is (just subtract 100 from the amount I bought initially), and then when it gets down to the last 100 gallons, the fuel counter predicts very closely when it will run out. If I'm desperate, and just need a few more gallons, I can tilt the trailer towards the fuel pickup end, but I keep a 2-3 inch unusable level at the bottom of the tank normally.

 

[sandman2234]

it can still dry rot.. and I don't want to syphon my fuel out of an earthen berm..

just sayin.. stick works fine for most of the gas stations in this country..

The only things I can think of that make a stick not a perfect setup, is...
Durn things get misplaced and end up as fire wood.
They get dirty because of the fuel left on them, and have to be cleaned before use, or stuck in a protected sleeve when not in use.
They rot.
Somebody always puts them somewhere besides where they suppose to be, and you have to look for them till you give up and go make a new one. (and that is when you trip over the old one)


If you are the only one using the stick, it will probably work out just fine! I sure don't want my fuel leaking out thru a rotten hose either!
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

very true.

I have a stick I keep in a pvc pipe with a crew on cap.. keeps it yummy fresh.

as for burning.. but heck.. a diesel soaked stick burns soooo good.. why not

soundguy

The only things I can think of that make a stick not a perfect setup, is...
Durn things get misplaced and end up as fire wood.
They get dirty because of the fuel left on them, and have to be cleaned before use, or stuck in a protected sleeve when not in use.
They rot.
Somebody always puts them somewhere besides where they suppose to be, and you have to look for them till you give up and go make a new one. (and that is when you trip over the old one)


If you are the only one using the stick, it will probably work out just fine! I sure don't want my fuel leaking out thru a rotten hose either!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

very true.

I have a stick I keep in a pvc pipe with a crew on cap.. keeps it yummy fresh.

as for burning.. but heck.. a diesel soaked stick burns soooo good.. why not

soundguy

Got a good point, as the wife would use it to start the grill....
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

sure beats my neighbor using gasoline and burning down most of our neighborhood last year

soundguy