Fuel Gauges - unreliable?

[brucehawsker]

Been told by Solent that the fuel guage on the Opti is very unreliable becasue of thin profile of tank. In other words, the only way to find out how much fuel you have is to keep track of how much you have put in (from credit card slips in the wallet, I asume ), and subtract the amount you have used (from the Opti guage I assume).

This seems clumsy at best. Anyone got a better idea? How do people handle this problem, or is it specific to Solents?

Anyone know where I can get cheap big jerry cans - preferably plastic. Fancy two 22litre jobbos as a reserve.

Thanks

Bruce

[Alan]

All RIB Fuel guages - the float type - are completely bloody useless IMHO so not just a Solent problem. If you have an Opti and smart gauges and know the tank size then you have much better data on consumption and range to plan too.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

This seems clumsy at best. Anyone got a better idea? How do people handle this problem, or is it specific to Solents?

Yep keep the tank full of fuel, also be aware the opti might be calculating fuel consumption in US Gals per hour which could catch you out. Can't remember what mine is set to, but I always use the full fuel tank method.

Anyone know where I can get cheap big jerry cans - preferably plastic. Fancy two 22litre jobbos as a reserve.Bruce

have a look at http://www.towsure.com/

much cheaper than chandlers.

Pete

[brucehawsker]

thank you. But no fuel jerries at towsure - only water in 22l

[peteb]

Pete, I got two green military style cans (identical to the real ones, but metal seems a bit thinner, still good though) from an ex army surplus store in Poole, it's on the right as you head up the pedestrian zone towards that big shopping centre (opposite end to shopping centre). They were new and cost a tenner or so, they also have old 'real' ones that looked a bit rusty for a quid or so cheaper.

I got my big red plastic fuel one from Carrefore at Cite de Europe in Calais, very cheap and well made.

Cheers,

[Matt]

Send Ageing Youth a PM, he can get some 20l cans for the right price.

[Neal]

If you have no luck with Kevin try http://www.bosunsmate.co.uk/ they had some on special offer last month

[Brian]

Er, care warning.

I once (!) used a metal, ex-mil type jerry can for petrol and found that the fuel eased off the paint from the inside of the can. These flakes were then poured into the fuel tank and..............

[Rogue Wave]

I have a couple of red plastic containers I don't need that I don't need you ca have thm if you want (no charge) . Failing that get some proper outboard 25 litre fuel tanks. Aladins cave, Fairweather in Lymington BHG, Mailspeed or the chandlers by town quay

[peteb]

Brian,

Thanks for the warning I will keep an eye on that, I guess you only get what you pay for. I could see the difference in the cans, military to civvie, but did not need the military bullet proof heavier ones

They are lovely and sparkly, but as you say how long will that last, I will use them for the lawnmower first to test them out after your warning