Water Tank Measurement

[Peter Brennan]

The O'Day 37 carries 150 gallons of water in two tanks, port and starboard of the cockpit/engine room. They are completely inaccessible. The only way to know that you are running out of water is when you run out. One would think that with all that water one would not run out in a summer, but if one does think that way one underestimates the profligacy of females with a seemingly unlimited water supply at hand.Similar profligacy with battery juice existed until I installed an E Mater. Now when one can see instantly the effect on the battery when a reading light is turned on -- well, we now use a lot of lamp oil. I would like to instaill the same respect for water.Anyone know how to meter these tanks? Dip stick won't work.

 

[Don Evans]

Accu-guage?

Peter have you looked at these available at the chandlery here? No drilling required, just mounting 2 aluminum sensors on the outside of the tank. Its very well explained here but there website has more detail.Don

 

[Dave Mauney]

Snake River Electronics

We have had the Aqua-gage for over a year. Works very well. No penetration through tank required. They have models for poly and metal tanks. We monitor both water tanks and the holding tank with the same unit. It can handle up to four tanks. I have seen postings that the unit was still going strong after 11 years. If you search on Snake River or Snake River Electonics you should find them. Their home page has much more info than you get from a chandlery. A number of common Chandleries handle it.Good WindsDave

 

[Peter Brennan]

On a 37?

Have you installed the Aqua Gage on an O'Day 37? How did you get at the tanks?

 

[Dave Mauney]

On a O'Day 35

PeterMy installation is on a 35. However, I would ask my self the question of whether I could cut an openning in a adjoining bulk head. The gage is about 2" wide and runs the height of the tank. It glues on. I would wonder if you could get in through the longitudial bulk heads in the engine compartment. Just a thought. I would expect that you would be sore for a few days after that, but then you would know where you tank levels are with easy readouts.Good WindsDave