Fuel tank dipstick

[rjagodzi]

After doing a search and getting nowhere----does anyone have the dimensions for a fuel tank (12 and 6 gallon) dipstick?
I don't want to reinvent the wheel....
'46 BC12D with a C90-12F
Thanks
Bob

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

The only way to do an accurate one for the main tank is drain the fuel and add one gallon at a time, marking the stick each time. The levels vary on the stick as you add fuel and are not consistent marks. You really cannot do one for the wing tank since it is narrow and sitting at an angle. I have tried and abandoned making a wing tank stick. If I remember correctly you might start picking up fuel at four gallons, or so.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Makes a huge difference in tank fuel level if the plane is level or tail down. You measure the fuel tail down and fly level so the process of adding fuel one gallon at a time is the right way (TAIL DOWN, unless you plan on climbing out in flight).
I was amazed at a guy I met who just couldn't understand why fuel couldn't be measured till the wing tanks were about half full. How often does anyone partially fill a wing tank? How often do you guys USE the wing tank? I hardly ever have used it. Nice to have in case I want to go on a long trip, but most of the time I never use it.
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

One other thing to do while you are making the stick is set your fuel gauge height to bottom out, in level flight, at two gallons. At least that is what mine was set at and I have read others' comments regarding this.

I only put fuel in the wings, one wing not both, when I want a little reserve fuel 'peace of mind' if I am going to fly somewhere that does not have fuel and plan on returning from there. The other time is when I stop at a smaller airport not far from home to fill up on cheaper fuel and then drain it upon my return.

[vetdrem]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

I made a dip stick for mine a short time ago. I started with an empty tank, and added one gal at a time, marking the level on a stick. then raising the tail to flight attitude and noting the float level. I adjusted the float rod to just touch the filler cap at two gallons, and noted that the float raised about one inch per gallon. Now when flying along, if the float is 3" above the filler cap, I know that I have about 5 gallons in the tank.

I keep the right wing tank full, and enjoy the piece of mind knowing that I have a little insurance in the tank.

Louie

[Ryan]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

5 gal paint stick is a nice size. What we made ours from. I have never flown with both tanks, and only fill the one for long cross country or where fuel availability is in doubt.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

I use a stopwatch.

Fill the fuselage tank = 2 hours + reserve (and a convenient point to drain a wing tank, if you have one installed & filled up).

Each wing tank = 1 hour each + reserve (drain second wing tank, if fitted & filled up).

Total: 4 hours + reserve.

I have flown 5 hours from full tanks, but I didn't like the last hour!!!

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Rob,

I use mine during fill-up at the pump. Eliminates the big overflow from those fast flowing pump handles when you know how much fuel you need, exactly.

[blakecarl]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Bob - This may or may not have been what you were looking for in your original question, but since there has been some discussion about a stick to determine the gallons of fuel in the main tank I thought I would add this.

With my plane sitting on the ground--tail wheel down-- I started with an empty main tank and added 1 gallon of fuel at a time and measured depth from bottom of tank. The graph shown in attached pdf was generated from this data.

Not sure if all Taylorcraft main tanks are the exact same dimensions, but this is what it is for the main tank on my Taylorcraft.

[rjagodzi]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Bob - This may or may not have been what you were looking for in your original question, but since there has been some discussion about a stick to determine the gallons of fuel in the main tank I thought I would add this.

With my plane sitting on the ground--tail wheel down-- I started with an empty main tank and added 1 gallon of fuel at a time and measured depth from bottom of tank. The graph shown in attached pdf was generated from this data.

Not sure if all Taylorcraft main tanks are the exact same dimensions, but this is what it is for the main tank on my Taylorcraft.

I did mine this Sunday and it looks exactly like your graph. I did dip the stick with the tail on the ground and kept the stick vertical. No more overfilling.
Bob

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

No more overfilling, IF you do it yourself. Most line boys do NOT understand that asking for 4 gal means you want FOUR GALLONS, not 5.5!
Hank

Especially when you ask for an amount to keep from going over gross with an instructor in the plane who is watching for such stuff. MAN was the FBO pissed when I demanded they drain out what I didn't ask for....and I refused to pay for it.

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Here are the results from my tank, along with a picture. I am sure there will be minor variances. My stick is a square piece of pine with a small dowel rod through the end. Probably too fancy for what it is, but it's just the way I am. The marks are saw-marks all the way around made with a jigsaw.

1 Gallon: 2 3/8"
2 Gallon: 3 1/4"
3 Gallon: 4"
4 Gallon: 5 3/8"
5 Gallon: 6 1/8"
6 Gallon: 7 1/16"
7 Gallon: 8 1/16"
8 Gallon: 9 1/8"
9 Gallon: 10 1/16"
10 Gallon: 11 3/16"
11 Gallon: 12 3/8"
12 Gallon: 14 5/16"

[TimHicks]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Marty's data charted:

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Ok, Tim. I just felt happy getting all the figures and picture up on the thread. Then you have to go and graph it. You're killing me. Hahaha! Thanks!!!

[Marv]

Re: Fuel tank dipstick

Here are the results from my tank, along with a picture. I am sure there will be minor variances. My stick is a square piece of pine with a small dowel rod through the end. Probably too fancy for what it is, but it's just the way I am. The marks are saw-marks all the way around made with a jigsaw.

1 Gallon: 2 3/8"
2 Gallon: 3 1/4"
3 Gallon: 4"
4 Gallon: 5 3/8"
5 Gallon: 6 1/8"
6 Gallon: 7 1/16"
7 Gallon: 8 1/16"
8 Gallon: 9 1/8"
9 Gallon: 10 1/16"
10 Gallon: 11 3/16"
11 Gallon: 12 3/8"
12 Gallon: 14 5/16"

How do you get that stick to fit in the little hole in the cap?