inspectio/clean0out ports in plastic Diesel tank

[bill]

The post about installing inspection ports in a water tank got me thinking. I do not have a fuel gage on my plastic tank. I'd like to install one but would have to drill/cut a hole in the top of the tank.My main concerns are:dropping plastic cuttings (sawdust) into the tank to mix w/ my fuel and;Making sure the gage does not leak where it seals to the tank.Any thoughts?Bill

 

[Mel Elliott]

Water Gauge

Motor homes have a gauge that is mounted on the outside of the plastic tank. It's nothing much more than tape.

 

[jmcclain]

You don't really need one!

Bill,Gauges are nice, but they usually are only an approximation at best. If you know the tank capacity,have an hourmeter and have a pretty good idea of fuel consumption, it is pretty easy to keep track of fuel remaining, and it is a lot cheaper. When I was still flying small aircraft, the gauge was always the last thing you depended on for checking fuel levels.If you must have one check out Tanktender or the tank level systems from Snake River. (Assuming that you are talking about diesel).Jon

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Or try this...

Use a high-powered (small) flashlight and simply put the faceplate on the plastic. You should be able to see the depth by virtue of the tank looking darker where it's full. This assumes you have access to see anything, which I do on my waste tank but not fuel tank.

 

[Bill C320 Papillon]

been there

I use a very high power spotlight like you use a flashlight. Can only see the fuel level after dark. Same situation on my waste tank but I will install those external stick-on sensors to solve that problem. They don't make them for fuel tanks.