Temp Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Several times over the past 13 years I've been suspicious that we've not had all the heating oil we paid for actually delivered. Does anyone sell a gauge that fits in the neck of the tank that measures whats actually put in the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 as in a flow meter rather than a contents gauge? Both are possible, but how will the oilman connect his dispense head leak-free to a flow meter? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Much easier to calculate the volume of tank and make a dip stick. anything that obstructs the filling flow will cause problems. ifyoudont believe the delivery truck gauge get them to put 20 litres into a container where you know the level. highly unlikely a reputable retailer will be fiddling the meter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Get him to fill up lots of 25L containers so you can easily count and gauge the amount delivered... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 39 minutes ago, dpmiller said: as in a flow meter rather than a contents gauge? Both are possible, but how will the oilman connect his dispense head leak-free to a flow meter? Yes an integrating flow meter. I was thinking of something mounted in a tube that fits into the neck of the tank so there is still a pipe for the oilman to stick his nozzle into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 (edited) One problem with measuring volume is that the density of the liquid changes with temperature. The UK has only just started to fit temperature compensation to transport fuel pumps. Nice to know, for the same price, I get a few kWh extra energy in the winter. You may be able to get an ultrasonic flow meter, but probably expensive and not that reliable. The best way is load sensors on the feet of the storage tank. Then you can calculate from the specific energy density, correctly. We should really but fuel by the kg or MJ, not volume. Edited December 23, 2021 by SteamyTea 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 given the flow rate splashback may well be an issue. I'd get a stick myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 40 minutes ago, markc said: Much easier to calculate the volume of tank and make a dip stick. anything that obstructs the filling flow will cause problems. ifyoudont believe the delivery truck gauge get them to put 20 litres into a container where you know the level. highly unlikely a reputable retailer will be fiddling the meter. Problem is most modern plastic tanks are bunded so not easy to measure the internal dimensions. This also relies on you knowing the starting level. I dipped my tank 10 days ago and calculated 1500 l would just fit in. 1500L delivered today. Dipped tank again and surprised at how low the level is. Just annoys me I can't measure it more accurately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 1 minute ago, Temp said: Problem is most modern plastic tanks are bunded so not easy to measure the internal dimensions And often not a nice cube, but oval in cross section. I would have thought that the tanker guage was calibrated and had an up to date certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 You could get one of these: 482131 Digital Pump Flow Meter Fuel Diesel Kerosene Line Pipe Counter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KBYXDNG/ And use in conjunction with a dipstick or level gauge. Would take a few days to work out the calibration, but would be useful anyway to see daily or weekly usage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 We've got an Apollo wireless oil tank gauge that seems pretty accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 11 hours ago, SteamyTea said: And often not a nice cube, but oval in cross section. I would have thought that the tanker guage was calibrated and had an up to date certificate. Thing is I'm not always there when a delivery occurs. I've heard it's possible to put say 900L into a customers tank then put the nozzle into the tankers filler and pump 100L through the meter back into the tanker. Generating a receipt for the 1000L ordered.. Then at the end of the day the driver put 100L or whatever he's creamed off into his own tank on the way back to the yard. Perhaps it can'/tdoesn't happen but I'd like more confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 that would involve clambering up ladders etc. Personally I'd be more worried about the amount of entrained water in the delivery. It's amazing how much you can bulk out kero with... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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