Fuel Gauges - unreliable?

[peteb]

"The maximum amount of petrol that can be legally stored is 2 x 5 litre plastic or 2 x 10 litre metal containers when stored on a vehicle. The containers must be of an approved type and any storage above these limits would require the approval of your Petroleum Licensing Authority.

Criminal offences for the illegal storage of petrol are punishable under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by imprisonment for up to 2 years and an unlimited fine"

So why do they sell 22ltr Jerry cans to the public, or do you just have to half fill them if you take them by car. And what is the difference between one 22ltr and 2x10ltr (apart from the 2 ltrs )

Should we give ourselves up now

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Mike B

my boat currently has 2 x 22lts removable plastic tanks which when full I would judge will exceed the storage allowances.

I don't think this is storage - it's usage. As long as the "tank" has a connection spigot, and is strapped down (ie "installed") then I reckon it can be argued that it's part of the boat's engine installation.

[Rogue Wave]

I've got a bowser-- so there! 1100 litres of Texaco Rouge coming up

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I've got a bowser-- so there! 1100 litres of Texaco Rouge coming up

I wish !!!


Richard - not that it would stop me filling the boat with petrol even if it was storage I will make the assumption your correct as it sounds like sense to me.

Cheers

Mike

[Dirk Diggler]

For the dogz nob in jerry cans, have a look at these!
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/catalo...RT&from=search

[peteb]

No good for me no funnel

[Dirk Diggler]

Oh yes they do!

[peteb]

Oh Dear! no excuse now, errr.... how about they might blind me with reflections from the Sun (not the paper)

[Cookee]

Underfloor tanks will always have a problem with reliable readings from a fuel guage because of the profile - long and low and flat.

The fuel will reduce in height very slowly and even the best baffle system will not completely prevent it from moving from one end to the other as the boat moves.

The only way to get a proper idea is with a flow meter - All IMHO of course!

[Matt]

V True. I wonder if it would help by sticking a capacitor on the sender wire to help damp out fluctuations in the gauge readings from the fuel sloshing around.

[DGR]

It's not just slosh though. On our 7.8 (270l tank) it fluctuates by about 1/4 tank even when full. As you use the fuel it swings wildly from 1/2 to full, 1/4 to 3/4 and then empty to 1/2, depending on whether you are idling or going forwards/accelerating or sustained high speed (the sender is right at the front of the tank).

Not having had the RIB for long, we ran for fuel when it started to bounce on empty - we only managed to squeeze in 80 litres!!

I'm thinking along the same lines as Cookee - the only way to do it reliably is to either use a fuel computer, or to get a feel of your range by using it and carry enough spare fuel to get you home.

Dylan...

[brucehawsker]

for all the info.

I am going to follow Richard B's advice and see if I really need them first of all. One question - the bright yellow jerries from towsure are labelled on the web as water containers. Are they OK for fuel, or are there legal issues here as well?

Thanks

Bruce

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

for all the info.

I am going to follow Richard B's advice and see if I really need them first of all. One question - the bright yellow jerries from towsure are labelled on the web as water containers. Are they OK for fuel, or are there legal issues here as well?

Thanks

Bruce

Hi Bruce, they are listed in the Towsure catalog as "Marine jerry cans - high density polyethylene" so are the Tempo fuel tanks so I ges they will do the job!
But how about these? http://www.towsure.com/default.asp?c=f143
You can use them as jerry cans & also have a independent fuel supply should your tank get contaminated!
I use a similar one with 23L of fuel so I know if I get a problem I can just switch tank.
Nick