Fuel Tank Sticking

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

I have an irregular shaped fuel tank which was custom made by the P.O to conform to the shape of the hull.The problem is that there is no way that a standard fuel gage will be accurate.What I want to do is to make a fuel tank stick. We used them on commercial vessels.What you do is stick a stick into the tank and there are markings on the stick that will show wet as to how much fuel is there.My fuel tank is almost empty so this is the best time to do it. I can get a stick easy enough (LOL), my problem is .....what can i use to mark the stick that wont come off with diesel fuel?My tank is almost empty and I want to show that level as 'empty'. Then I will add 5 gals and show a 5 gal mark. then add 5 more gals and show a 10 gal. mark. Then add 10 more gas and show a 20 gal. mark and so on and so forth till it is full at 70 or 80 gals.An aluminum stick dont work as well because the wet mark is not as noticable and the fuel runs down the aluminum stick quickly.So.....what kind of paint can I use on a wooden stick?Tony B

 

[paulj]

Use a sharp knive and put a notch in stick at 1gal intervals

or at 1/4 full, 1/2full, 3/4full and full.

 

[Boat Babe]

remark the gauge

My first instinct was also as Pauli recommended....cut notches in the stick. But why don't you use an electric gauge with a sender and while you are adding known quantities of fuel to the tank,like you said, re-label the gauge to accurately show how many gallons of fuel you have. Either use a permanent marker or make hatch marks on the rim of the gauge. Good luck!

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Hi Tony

You could use a 1/8 drill bit and make one shallow hole=5gal two shallow hole= 10gal etc. Another more convenient guage would be to tap a piece of clear fuel proof tubing to an existing fitting down low on the tank and run it straight up the outside of the tankand maybe clamp a bolt in the end. You might need to poke a tiny hole for a vent at highest point. This way when boat is level you would be able to just glance at tube and see exact fuel level in tank.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Sticking the tank

...is probably the best method for me. I have a gage but because of the irregular shape of the tank remarking the gage is not reasonable. Paul: Notching will be a 'definate' as it will really be permanent. I hold some- where between 70 and 90 gallons and would like it to read with zero, 5 gal, 10 gal and then every ten gallons until fullSteph: Will a normal standard marker be diesel fuel proof?Lance: I like the idea of drilling holes.  The site glass idea is great but more effort than I intend to expel at  this time.On long trips across the gulf, say 800 Km, with adverse currents, local storms, no wind, etc. I feel like it is really important to know exactly how much fuel i have in reserve.Keep the ideas coming. I will probably use a combination of several ideas.Tony B

 

[Stu Jackson]

Why bother if you have an hour meter?

Figure your fuel consumption and do the math.Saves the environment from making and ruining wooden sticks...It's easier to add an hour meter than all these ideas about sticks. Lots easier to use too when it's howlin' out there.

 

[Lou 14643]

I use a 1/4" fiberglass rod,

It has grooves filed around it at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full levels. Works fine and does not absorb fuel the way a wooden rod would. That way there is minimal smell from the diesel remaining with the rod when stored.

 

[sailaway78]

Dowel Rod

Tony,Go to almost any hardware store and get a piece of dowel rod. They cut or drill your marks as needed. Or a piece of PVC will work too, and you can drill small holes in it. Used a piece of PVC on Seadances boat, and it's kind of hard to see the fuel level on the white PVC< but marked it with black tape, and visibility was better. The tape won't last long though.

 

[James]

Dowel Rod in tank

Was using a dowel rod to determine diesel level as others have described and as s*** would happen, it went in the tank. Will this be a problem or will it just float and hang out?

 

[RAD]

Hi Tony,

Before I replaced the fuel tank in my ODay I made a fuel stick from a dowel and marked it with a marker first then took a tubing cutter to make a groove in it then filled the groove with the fine tip marker and had marks every 4 gals.I like the idea of using something other than wood cause of the fuel staying on the wood or paint the wood glossy black and dig out the paint in the groovesand like Stu has mentioned I've been using the hour meter and my fuel guage and thats close enoughand I still have the stick some where on board.

 

[paulj]

Don't over do it

sailortonyb Allied Mistress I would change E to AE....Would not varnish the stick...Use a leather strip for hanging but I wouldn't hang it...And far as woodworking.....well... those numbers and letters HAVE to be routed in...if it's worth making make it like an old craftsman would.Last but not least since you are a Capt. you know the type of wood to be used for the stick...since it has been used for measuring tanks for years and years.Keep me posted on the 77 gallon tank and how many gallons it takes to fill it to the F mark.paulj

 

[Boat Babe]

Help me understand this

Of course, I understand why a fuel gauge and sender won't be accurate if the tank is not symetric....but if there is room for the sender "arm" to rise and fall in the tank, why not just add fuel to an empty tank and mark the dial in 5 - 10 gallon increments? Why bother with a stick, having to open the tank, the smell and mess of fuel and the inconvenience? Am I missing something? Thanks

 

[higgs]

Lost fuel stick

James,I would think the stick would not be a problem except that over time, the wood may break down and gum things up. Wood, once waterlogged, does sink, so those little pieces of broken down wood may become a problem. I am not sure how long something like this would take, but that would be my concern.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Do what Lou suggests

use a +/- 3/8" fiberglass rod... or one of those driveway markers that they have at HD. When empty... pour 5 gallons of fuel in... remove and mark with a pencil... re-check... remove and mark with a dremmel or a tool of your choice. I have a groove that goes completely around my stick. Repeat process until your tank is full.Make sure the stick is long enough that it cannot fall into the tank.Diesel will not absorb into the fiberglass.

 

[Chris Burti]

40 some years ago...

...I worked in a gas station. We measured the fuel in the underground tanks to compare with the pump readings. To do so, we used a measuring stick made of unfinished poplar with an inch scale painted on with plain old black and red enamel. We also had some kind of a compound that we put on the end of the stick that turned purple if there was any water in the tanks

 

[GuyT]

Wood can be scribed..

n.m.