Fuel Tank Dip Stick

[av8ing]

Where can I get a fuel dip stick for my PA22/20? I bought a generic one and filled out the callibration card that came with it but it's a pain. I would rather have one that's made for my airplane.

[smcnutt]

I just took a sharpie marker and re-marked one I found for a C172. You can get the measurements form Andy's site: http://home.earthlink.net/~andy2220/id4.html

[Gilbert Pierce]

MAKE ONE :D
I added fuel to the empty tank one gallon at a time and measured the level. I then transferred these levels to a 5/8" square dowel. Left tank on one end and right tank on the other. In my airplane they are not the same.

I used a hacksaw to cut a straight line in one side of the dowel corresponding to the fuel levels starting at 5 and 6,7,8 etc to 18. Less then five gallons in the tank caused very little fuel straight down from the gas cap.

I then filled in the sawed line with a black sharpie for the left tank and red sharpie for the right tank.

I then numbered the segments corresponding to the fuel level with black and red sharpie. I masked this off, painted the other 3 side with flat black paint and then painted all four sides with clear polyurethane.

I have been using this for over 10 years with no problem with the paint or clear poly. The flat black sides really show up the wet fuel level.

I tried the etched glass tube. The hole in the bottom was too big and fuel leaked out. I put a piece of tygon tubing in the bottom to make the hole smaller. This helped but it was still a pain to stick the tube in, hold the end airtight while you got a reading then extrapolate the gallons from a calibration chart.
I found the repeatability of this process to be awful.

[Stephen]

There is someone who was making these for Pacers, I got one. But, it is not that accurate. Taildraggers are a little more tricky as the tank is on a slope.

[av8ing]

All good ideas. Thanks!

[Stephen]

If you make a dip stick, make it long enough so that you don't easily drop it in the tank. I know of a T-Pacer with one floating around in its tank.

[Hillbilly]

If you make a dip stick, make it long enough so that you don't easily drop it in the tank. I know of a T-Pacer with one floating around in its tank.


Oh now that would drive me nuts...I'd be up on a stepladder with a harpoon gun trying to fish that thing out.

[JohnW]

Yeah...leaving that thing in there shows a definite lack of both perseverance AND imagination!

[Bultaco Jim]

Go down to Tap Plastics and get a piece of 1/8 inch plastic (not a dark color) about 6in. by 14in. Make a "tee" with each leg approx. 1 1/2 wide. The top horizontals of the tee sit on the filler neck and you can't drop it in. Just line it up "fore and aft", and close to plumb side to side. Get a carpenter's bevel square and replicate the angle of the fuel on the dipstick, so you can make all the marks the same angle. I use 3 gallon increments on the Colt and 4 on the Pacer, only cause the Colt uses 6 GPH and the Pacer 8 GPH. Fits in the seatback pocket. Try to find the stuff with texture on one side.

[Stephen]

Yeah...leaving that thing in there shows a definite lack of both perseverance AND imagination!


Now you all know that I said that this plane is a T-Pacer, so obviously it is not mine....Right??

[Bultaco Jim]

Yea, but "a definite lack of both perseverance AND imagination" fits.

[Hillbilly]

Yeah...leaving that thing in there shows a definite lack of both perseverance AND imagination!


Now you all know that I said that this plane is a T-Pacer, so obviously it is not mine....Right??

I had to laugh...

[JohnW]

I never named names. On the one hand, all I have to go on is whatever picture you might choose to include "about yourself". On the other, I have no way of knowing if that is the ONLY airplane you own (or have ever owned). I dunno WHOSE Tripe has this dipstick floating around in it...but I would PRESUME it wouldn't be any present company -unless in the revealment there was intentional embarrassment or humiliation for SOMEONE (on a Friendly Note, of course!) -whom I know not, which (of?).

Whatever.

[Stephen]

For the record (official, of course) the only T-P I've owned was in 82 when I bought my current plane, which I flew as is until the duct tape finally rotted.

Me...embarrass or humuiliate someone intentionally???? No way, not me...besides he's too busy to check out this site.

[Bultaco Jim]

You mean that thing has been rattling around in the tank since 1982?
Hahahahahahahaha...

[Hillbilly]

You mean that thing has been rattling around in the tank since 1982?
Hahahahahahahaha...


Slow down there Beertaco Jim, I dont think thats what he's a sayin...


(especially proud of myself for coming up with "Beertaco Jim")

[Stephen]

Now, guys...I knew this was a bad idea to bring this situation up.

[Hillbilly]

Man I had nightmares about that dipstick...I was flying along and I could hear it clunking around in the tank, So I landed and got a ladder but when I got up there, there werent no gas tank at all, only a turtle swimmin around in a galvanized washtub...

[cwo4ret]

I was reading some old post and ran across this one. Seems no one had a good answer. I got mine off Ebay, Motors, aviation parts . Great dip stick. You can even get your tail number put on it, and it is very accurate.


Item number 190332818119
Dipstik Fuel Gauge for Piper Cherokee, TriPacer, Others
Piper Cherokee, Comanche, Colt, Tri-Pacer, Pacer

Gene

[Dwain]

Has one of you that has a dipstick you calibrated by adding fuel checked your measurements against what is on Andy's page? I am in need of a dipstick for a PA 22/20 taildragger conversion, and thought I would try Andy's DIY. Thanks - Dwain

[Throttle Pusher]

Since 82 huh.
I live in your area and bought my plane in the late 90's.
Hmm..maybe I shoiuld go check my fuel tanks again!:o

[Frogdad]

Has one of you that has a dipstick you calibrated by adding fuel checked your measurements against what is on Andy's page? I am in need of a dipstick for a PA 22/20 taildragger conversion, and thought I would try Andy's DIY. Thanks - Dwain

Here is a photo of one for my 22/20 calibrated by adding 5 gal. at a time. The marks are a little different than the dimensions on Andy's site. Maybe the 800 tires makes the wing angle a little steeper than Andy's. Maybe the tank has a dent on the bottom. I don't know.
Probably best to make one to fit your airplane. It's easy to do.

Don

[Stephen]

Since 82 huh.
I live in your area and bought my plane in the late 90's.
Hmm..maybe I shoiuld go check my fuel tanks again!:o

No wories...that particular T-P, tried a T.O. with less than 1/4 fuel in the right tank....yes, they do quit. The owner now flies a C-172, and uses a much longer dip stick. I do wonder what the guy thought who bought the salvage and found a stick rattling around inside the tank.

Wing root sight gauges eliminate the need for dip sticks.

[Throttle Pusher]

No wories...that particular T-P, tried a T.O. with less than 1/4 fuel in the right tank

Ouch!
Im glad to hear he's ok and still flying. But a C..CC.C-sorry I just cant get my fingers to type that type!

Ken

[Curly]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dipstik-Fuel-Gauge-Piper-Cherokee-TriPacer-Others-?cmd=ViewItem&hash=item2c600b53e9&item=190589916137&pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&vxp=mtr#ht_1020wt_1416

(http://cgi.ebay.com/Dipstik-Fuel-Gauge-Piper-Cherokee-TriPacer-Others-?cmd=ViewItem&hash=item2c600b53e9&item=190589916137&pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&vxp=mtr#ht_1020wt_1416)
Joy gave me one of these for a Christmas present - I haven't tried it yet but the same thing is sold through the pilot shops. Simple to use and calibrated for the Pacer.

[dbudd]

the phone number for the dipstick is 435-586-1446 i have been using one with my tripacer and it works good. just bought a pacer and it doesnt work as good because of the slope. checked the tank and it read less than a gallon drained the tank and got out about 3 1/2 gallons

[richdolby]

Hi,

I've just bought a PA-20 here in the U.K. (N1502A) & am loving it!!

Does anyone have the dimensions for a fuel tank dipstick??

Help greatly appreciated.

Blue Skies,


Rich D.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170317/e6569c8bcd57d8b734190922e640d438.jpg



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[Bruce]

I made my own out of a paint stick. You need to calibrate for your acft.

[Tp109]

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Waddell-3-8-in-x-36-in-Oak-Round-Dowel-6506U/100572181?MERCH=REC-_-mobileweb_pip_rr-2-_-100375674-_-100572181-_-N Cut off about 10 inches and add a gal at a time and mark it

[Old3pacer]

That's what I did = wooden dowel and I notched as I added fuel to an empty tank

[Pacerfgoe]

The only thing I can add is to make sure your aircraft is level wingtip to wingtip while "calibrating" your stick....

[Jim Hann]

search for PA-22/20 dipstick, I know I posted mine here someplace!

[wyandot jim]

I made my own out of a paint stick. You need to calibrate for your acft.

Yep Did the same thing. If you are trying to get to a tenth of a gallon you might have a problem.
My watch is my best fuel gauge.

[smcnutt]

I just marked up a clear acrylic tube based on the dimensions posted from another thread and/or Andy's site. It's pretty accurate from what I've noticed but I wouldn't bet my life on it. The only marking that I will guarantee is full as you can also see it up to the bottom of the neck. I don't do the type of flying where I would push my fuel to the limit anyway.

Even if you had something calibrated that closely there are other factors that would throw you off like parking on a non-level surface.

[Bruce]

maximin criterion is what I think we were taught as part of a decision making process.

[Steve Pierce]

Merged your thread with another. All airplanes are different (tailwheel, tail spring, tire and wheel size) so I would calibrate your own as posted above.