Kerosene tank dip stick DIY

Poncke

Hi all,

Been trying to find a simple dip stick for my oil tank but all solutions either require drilling or are costly. So I was advised to get a broom stick, which I did, sort of.

I have this stick of wood now, but how do I get a scale on the stick that shows the correct amount of litres in the tank, give or take a few?

I have a standard green oil tank, which I believe is 1100 litres.

Cheers.

Wearb

Cylindrical or rectangular tank? If cylindrical, horizontal or vertical orientation.
Btw you are not going to get within a few litres with a non calibrated domestic oil tank. More like -+ 50L

Poncke

Wearb wrote: »

Cylindrical or rectangular tank? If cylindrical, horizontal or vertical orientation.
Btw you are not going to get within a few litres with a non calibrated domestic oil tank. More like -+ 50L

It is rectangular. Horizontal. Let me get a photo.

I dont mind a 50ltr difference, I just need to know when its close to empty. I don't need a scale for that, but I'd like to know how far down I am to estimate the next order.

Poncke

hannible the cannible

Put a mark high up on the outside of the tank , the next time you fill it get the oil man to fill to the mark , note how many litres he has put in,mark the stick the same as the mark on the tank , put 10 marks of equal distance apart on the stick , divide what he has put into the tank by 10 and whenever you dip you'll see how many litres have been used , it couldn't be any simpler :-)

BigCon

Just say each indentation on the outside of the tank is 25% of the full amount. Mark your stick accordingly. You'll know when it get close to empty (i.e. below half way on the bottom mark)...

Poncke

hannible the cannible wrote: »

Put a mark high up on the outside of the tank , the next time you fill it get the oil man to fill to the mark , note how many litres he has put in,mark the stick the same as the mark on the tank , put 10 marks of equal distance apart on the stick , divide what he has put into the tank by 10 and whenever you dip you'll see how many litres have been used , it couldn't be any simpler :-)

That only works when the tank is empty which I am trying to prevent. Plus you have to order a set quantity with most suppliers. Never heard of the possibility to "fill her up to the mark, Paddy" and pay the driver in cash.

Poncke

BigCon wrote: »

Just say each indentation on the outside of the tank is 25% of the full amount. Mark your stick accordingly. You'll know when it get close to empty (i.e. below half way on the bottom mark)...

I was thinking in that direction, good idea, thanks for the suggestion. I could even add marks in between to get more of an idea on how much is left.

hannible the cannible

Poncke wrote: »

That only works when the tank is empty which I am trying to prevent. Plus you have to order a set quantity with most suppliers. Never heard of the possibility to "fill her up to the mark, Paddy" and pay the driver in cash.

Well it would still work the same as long as it's marked in equal sizes no matter how we much you put into it , I pay my oil man with cash and I usually just say fill her up

jca

Only on boards....

Wearb

Order when it's to the bottom of the lowest rib at the back. It will hold about 900L then. Order a fill and explain that it will take nearly 1000L and that you need to get it at the 1000L price even if it only holds between 900 and a 1000. They should agree to that. If not ring around.

mickdw

You are lucky with tank shape.
Measure fron base of tank to bottom of outlet pipe supplying house. Get a stick, mark that distance up from base of stick and call that empty.
check side of tank near top and see does it have a max fill marker. If so, mark that height on your stick and call it full. If it's 1100 litre tank, divide into 11 and you then have 100L marker.
That would be reasonably close given that your tank is very uniform in shape.
As you get some more fills or part fills, you can refine the marks. For example, you could call the oil man when gauge shows 100L and order 800L. If gauge doesn't get close to 900, well you will need adjustment. To further complicate, the oil truck pipe will hold a fair few litres that you won't get so you lose a few of your 800L

Del2005

Would it be easier to measure how much is on the stick and then use the length by breath to calculate the volume? To be completely accurate you could even subtract the indents.

Poncke

jca wrote: »

Only on boards....

Horrible, asking a question on a forum!

But you had to waste time posting a comment here. Only on boards....

:rolleyes:

shinnykk

Poncke, tell me what part of the country you are in I work for an oil company and if you are in our delivery area I will get a Dipstick to you.