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Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:02 pm
by flyingBC
Bringing this post back from the dead...
I emptied and filled my tank (M4-210, 21.5G mains) today to make wooden dipsticks. When measuring from the “rib” in the middle of the filler hole, I don’t even get a reading until I’ve got 5.6 US Gallon in the tank (standard gear, 850 wheels). Does this sound right to others? Kind of makes sense to me considering how much tank is lower than filler neck, but it was a surprise.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:33 pm
by psehorne
flyingBC wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:02 pm
Bringing this post back from the dead...
I emptied and filled my tank (M4-210, 21.5G mains) today to make wooden dipsticks. When measuring from the “rib” in the middle of the filler hole, I don’t even get a reading until I’ve got 5.6 US Gallon in the tank (standard gear, 850 wheels). Does this sound right to others? Kind of makes sense to me considering how much tank is lower than filler neck, but it was a surprise.
Yep. Same for my M-4-180V with 21.5 gal taanks.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:53 pm
by maules.com
It changes with tyre size, extended gear etc.
Using wood dipping and reading must be done fairly quickly as the fuel creeps up the wood.
Don't forget to attach a retrieval cord to the stick, just in case.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:18 pm
by psehorne
maules.com wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:53 pm
Don't forget to attach a retrieval cord to the stick, just in case.
Several years ago I dropped one of those plastic 'straw' type fuel sticks in one of the fuel tanks of the airplane that I had at the time. This time I drilled a hole in the top end of the 'wooden' measuring stick and put a long lavilier on it. Whenever I 'stick' the tanks now the lavilier is around my neck.... It would not be a good idea to drill a hole in one of the 'straw' type fuel sticks.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:17 pm
by Mog
Sooo, what happens if you stumble on your ladder and you drop the stick in the tank and it catches. I mean, I know that series of unfortunate events is unlikely but man what if it did! I’d go with something on my wrist instead.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 4:30 am
by andy
Dropping the plastic gauge in the tank is something that I unfortunately experienced in cold weather with numb hands. It took me 3 hours to get it out because it rolled sideways down the tank toward the trailing wing edge. Now I use a long dowel that can't fall into the tank. The tricky part is to drain your tank completely so that you know exactly how much fuel you are putting back in to calibrate the stick.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:10 am
by psehorne
andy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 4:30 am
The tricky part is to drain your tank completely so that you know exactly how much fuel you are putting back in to calibrate the stick.
I did it differently. I started with the tank nearly empty with the fule only about an inch up on the stick. I then added 5 gal at a time and made a mark at each 5 gal level. After the last/highest 5 gal mark the tank held and additional 3 gal. I made the final/full mark at that point.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:13 am
by psehorne
andy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 4:30 am
Now I use a long dowel that can't fall into the tank.
I made a long dowel also, but felt it was too long for convience. I made another one somewhat shorter, but still long enough that I think it will not fall into the tank. It protrudes about 5 inches out of the tank. Still I put a lavilier on it.
Re: wooden gas tank dipstick quantity levels
Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:14 am
by psehorne
Mog wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:17 pm
I’d go with something on my wrist instead.
Good suggestion.