New fuel gauge

[richard5933]

Got my new 'wireless' fuel gauge installed today. Works like a champ, was an easy install, and will never fail to tell me when to fill the tank.

I know, kind of old-school. But, it beats the little Post-It Notes I've been sticking on my dash every time I fill up. I decided on a 600-mile fill up range. Probably could go much further, but I set it at 600 miles to cover all possibilities like extended generator run time, etc.

Hard to believe just how hard this little thing was to find. Got it on Amazon finally, but they brought it in from one of the European warehouses.

Now I just need to remember to set the darn thing every time after being so used to doing the Post-It Notes...

[Jim Blackwood]

Or you could go even more old school and use a stick...

Jim

[richard5933]

Or you could go even more old school and use a stick...

Jim

Yeah...not sure about that. The 600-mile system is working pretty well so far, and this little gadget is lots handier than keeping a Post-It on the dash.

With 165 gallons and over 7mpg overall (including idle time and generator run time) I'm pretty safe using the 600-mile point for fill ups. Even assuming a usable capacity of 140 gallons, I've got a total range of nearly 1000 miles.

Should I even have need for a more accurate measurement, I'll get a long 1/4" dowel rod and run it in the tank. Can't imagine why I'd need to know that accurately though.

[windtrader]

Or you could go even more old school and use a stick...

Jim

I've wondered if a stick can fit down into a MC8 tank and get a reasonable fuel level estimate.

[Fred Mc]

 Just wondering. What happens when you accidentally brush it with your knee and knocks all the numbers out of kilter. 😁😁

[richard5933]

Just wondering. What happens when you accidentally brush it with your knee and knocks all the numbers out of kilter. 😁😁

I pull out my smartphone, look up the mileage at the last fill up in the app I use to track expenses, and reset it. No different than when I've had the little Post-It Note blow away when the door opened.

Not really anywhere near my knee though - looks like it in the photo but it's really out of the way. Of course, at only 5'2" most things are out of my way.

[TomC]

You've got to watch it if you're running your Diesel generator alot.

[richard5933]

You've got to watch it if you're running your Diesel generator alot.

Yeah - I still don't know the exact fuel consumption on the generator. But even assuming a worse case scenario of 2 gallons/hour and running for 24 hours between fill ups, that would be a loss of 48 gallons. At 7 mpg, that's a loss of range of 336 miles (out of nearly 1000-mile range total).

The tank's rated capacity is 165 gallons. Assuming only 140 gallons is actually usable, a loss of those 48 gallons for the generator use leaves me 92 gallons. With an average fuel mileage of 7 mpg, that leaves me with 644 miles.

This is roughly the calculations that went into setting a 600-mile refill point.

[chessie4905]

If you have the service manual for your generator, it should have the fuel consumption specs. Along with your generator hour meter, you should be able to get a good estimate. Just add another number wheel for it or add a chalk board, chalk, and eraser.

[richard5933]

If you have the service manual for your generator, it should have the fuel consumption specs. Along with your generator hour meter, you should be able to get a good estimate. Just add another number wheel for it or add a chalk board, chalk, and eraser.

I did check the manual, but no mention of fuel consumption. Even if it did list it, not sure how accurate it would be for a 45-year-old Perkins.

[sledhead]

I installed one of these for my aqua hot and there is one on my genny so I can keep track of how much fuel they use .

https://www.ebay.ca/i/312492910716?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-89093-2056-0&mkcid=2&itemid=312492910716&targetid=607627058052&device=c&adtype=pla&googleloc=1002295&poi=&campaignid=1669215008&adgroupid=63013116685&rlsatarget=pla-607627058052&abcId=1063836&merchantid=118691853&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-89093-2056-0&mkcid=2&itemid=312492910716&targetid=607627058052&device=c&adtype=pla&googleloc=1002295&poi=&campaignid=1669215008&adgroupid=63013116685&rlsatarget=pla-607627058052&abcId=1063836&merchantid=118691853&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrpLoBRD_ARIsAJd0BIVEOWdfvgCqOxvPUS5HKr36Mu-ax_aaa1iYMxJiqixE-CmGegSSY94aAqJkEALw_wcB

dave

[richard5933]

I installed one of these for my aqua hot and there is one on my genny so I can keep track of how much fuel they use...

dave

I've got an hour meter, but without knowing the exact fuel consumption per hour it doesn't help much in that regard.

[sledhead]

my diesel 12.5 k uses about 1 gal per hr depending on how much power I am using . the aqua uses .4 gal per hr and I installed the hr meter on the burner side so it is real close as to the usage

as a test why not drain your genny or pull off the fuel line and use a 1 gal. fuel can then use it like normal and see how long the fuel lasts ?

dave 

[chessie4905]

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the bleeding procedures for that Perkins diesel before letting it run out of fuel.😯

[richard5933]

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the bleeding procedures for that Perkins diesel before letting it run out of fuel.😯

Been there, done that. Wasn't a fun day. I've got an electric pump pushing fuel from the tank, but it's still a PITA to bleed the Perkins. I like the idea of using a one-gallon fuel can to test consumption rate, until I get to the part about having to bleed the Perkins again. Nope.