Fuel guage

[Figment]

As an "early model", my Triton does not have the hinged cockpit seats as lazarette access. This is a flaw I intend to remedy in time, but for now I'm presented with the challenge of installing a guage in the fuel tank without easy access to the top of the tank.

For now, I'm simply watching the hourmeter, tracking in terms of a gallon per hour, but as my proportion of river-idle vs. cruise-throttle use varies widely, so does the accuracy of this method. I yearn for something better.

Sight glass?
Stethoscope?

c'mon think-tank.....

[Shark]

Mike,

My first VW had no fuel gauge either. I used the jack handle as a dip stick to check the fuel level. The car did however have a "supposed" reserve tank which was to be used when the main tank was empty. Visions of contaminated fuel kept me from ever trying the reserve tank.

Perhaps carrying a spare can of gas might be prudent until you can sort out the gauge problem or (dare I say it?) a dip stick. Simple sometimes works. Just a thought.


Lyman
Scoot

[Tim]

If you're planning on eventually reconfiguring your cockpit lockers (or, actually, even if you don't), what about cutting an access hole in the cockpit seat above the tank and installing a deck plate? You could install your gauge there, beneath the plate. Not ideal, maybe, but a means to an end. How badly do you want it?

The Triton fuel tank is oddly shaped, and much deeper at its forward side (especially the inside corner) than elsewhere. This makes the function of any gauge, including the tried-and-true dipstick or sight gauge methods less helpful than they might be. The tank might be dry at the aft end and still appear 1/3 full at the forward end, based on the shape. This picture (from Triton #100) shows the general shape of the tank. The outboard aft corner is very shallow--perhaps only a few inches.


Obviously a good understanding of the limitations of your chosen method are required, no matter which choice you make. I always fill my tank whenever the gauge gets close to 1/2--it's far easier to play it safe, especially with diesel.

Not sure what the best answer is, though a five-gallon jerry jug stored on deck somewhere is perhaps the safest alternative, regardless of whatever gauge you install (or don't install)!

[Figment]

We sail "cushionless", so an inspection port in the cockpit seat is less than desireable, but still a good idea for the back pocket. If nothing else, this might motivate me to perform the cockpit seat modification concurrent with the deck recore work instead of letting it slip.

The flaw of the hour-meter method reared its ugly head this weekend (see "ramblings"). I was mystified at first, but later it occured to me that all of the engine time spent dealing with the generator/alternator issues this spring was spent with that meter disconnected. It's not inconcievable that 15 +/- hours of untracked running time emptied what I thought was a half-full tank of gas.

[Tony]

Has anyone seen or used the tank tender guage for their fuel tank? Looks pretty bulletproof. Check it out at http://www.thetanktender.com/1.htm

Tony
S/V Solace
Harstad001

[Figment]

A guy down the dock uses that system (or something very much like it) to monitor all of his tanks... fuel, water X2, and waste. It came with the boat when he bought it ten years ago and he loves it, though he says it's sometimes less accurate on the waste tank. Something to do with the density of solids in the tank, etc...