Fuel measuring stick?

[steriosm88]

I'm looking for a stick with measurments on the side I can use to test the level of feul in my tank. My gas gauge is iffy at best and i'd like to be able to know how much feul I have left. I've tried looking down into the under floor mounted tank and it's hard to judge. I'm hoping someone carries a measuring stick like the ones they use at Gas Stations to measure the level in the under ground tanks. I've tried using sticks I find near the boat launches or at camp sites but i'd like to get a better read. Thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

I have never seen one calibrated for a particular gas tank. Also, I assume you can stick the stick all the way to the bottom of the tank? if so, and the tank is rectangular or square, I would measure the height of the tank, subtract a bit for the thickness of the walls and find a suitable stick(piece of molding or paint stick) and mark it with the top measurement of the tank. Now divide the number of gallons by the height of the tank in inches and mark the stick accordingly. If you have a 4" high tank, and it is 20 gallons, it is 5 gallons per inch. I made up a stick once, but marked it 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, F to aproximate the level.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

my dad has a 1964 57' Chris craft diesel and uses a stick that's how they used to do it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

That process will only work if any future measurements are done with the boat at the exact same attitude it was when the initial stick calibration was made. If you have people on board when making the measurement the boats attitude will be different and the measurement can be grossly inaccurate. To illustrate this, add water to a plastic soda bottle so it is about half full and place it on its side on a table. Now imagine there is a hole in the bottle into which a stick can be inserted. You could now mark the stick with "1/2". Gradually tilt the bottle and note what the water level is in relation to the stick. Way off is it not? But the amount of fuel remains the same.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

the idiot that owned my boat drilled a hole in the middle of my 75 gallon
aluminum tank!! i would have installed it but i noticed the hole
I called around and found an aluminum repair place that fixes props too
He fixed the tank pressure tested it and put in a new sender that's the way to go in my opinion.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

Just pick up a piece of "parting strip" at the lumberyard (5/8"x3/4" fir). As has been said, what you want to to is the 'traditional way', the simplest, and also the most reliable. Uless you really call things close there isn't to much need to worry about ultimate accuracy. Just mark the stick off in quarters of a tank & you can guestimate from there. Remember that if you have a cylidrical tank the top & bottom quarters are much smaller than the middle quarters.

 

[steriosm88]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

Thanks for the replies. I'll head to the Depot and grab some thin dowl and make my own marks. The tank I have is under the floor in the front and it's rectangular and holds about 71 litres. Gas gauge stops working as soon as it drops below 3/4 tank. Might there be a better gauge I could look into as well? Thanks

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

If you'd just replace the fuel sender unit in the tank it would probably be fine.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

Check out Livorsi for a more accurate sender.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

I have is under the floor in the front and it's rectangular and holds about 71 litres.

Ayuh,.. I'm curious as to just How you plan to pull this off, without compromising the integrity of the Tank,..??

 

[QC]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

If the fill is straight down this plan works fine, had the same issue and solution with my first boat. Could not get to the sender without ripping out a bulkhead.

No need to measure anything, just don't mark it until you fill it, then divide in 1/2 and then 1/4s. More accurate than any gauge I can imagine. How is a float not affected by boat attitude?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

An old fashion yardstick is as good as anything. Just note the "full" reading.

In Canada you can still buy "metre sticks".

 

[180shabah]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

Ayuh,.. I'm curious as to just How you plan to pull this off, without compromising the integrity of the Tank,..??

...just have to replace the sender gasket EVERY time he checks the fuel level. busy weekend could = $10-15 plus the aggrevation...

New fuel sender starting to sound pretty good to me.

 

[steriosm88]

Re: Fuel measuring stick?

Looks like the previous owner had the tank put there under the floor. It's a straight fill but I can't see the sending unit without removing the floor again. Easy enough to do. I'll stick with the stick for now and replace the sending unit when i redo the carpeting next season. Thanks for all the input.