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How Accurate Are Oil Tank Gauges?

How Accurate Are Oil Tank Gauges?

It is essential to know that the oil tank gauge only measures the level of oil remaining in the tank, not the number of liters you have left. Once that is understood, you’ll realize that, in general, most oil tank gauges aren’t remarkably accurate.  However, their level of accuracy depends on which kind of oil tank gauge you decide to use. In this blog, we’ll be discussing the different types of oil tank gauges and how accurate they are to decide which one is best for you.

Sight Gauge

A sight gauge is a small tube connected to the bottom of the tank in the oil feed pipe. The tube runs on the side of the tank and is clear, usually with a float inside. When you operate the push button, the valve opens. This action allows fuel to travel up the tube. Due to gravity, the fuel in the tube will measure at the same level as the fuel left inside the tank.

Oil Tank Float Gauge

An oil tank float gauge includes a float that goes up and down with the oil level inside the tank. You can locate the oil tank float gauge on top of the tank. It is connected to the float with a string wound around the instrument in the gauge that will turn the dial depending on the oil level. These gauges are relatively inexpensive but not as reliable.

Hydrostatic Gauge

The hydrostatic gauge is more accurate than a float gauge, and you can find it on commercial sites. Mounted at the end of the tube in the tank is a probe. A small hand pump then pumps air into the probe. Once there is air in the probe, it will measure the pressure of the fluid at its current depth and calculate a reading. You are to read this as the “percentage full of the tank.”

Electric Gauges

Electric gauges are handy because they can connect to a computer or a mobile device. That way, you can check your oil levels from the comfort of your own home. The sensor gauge uses a battery to power it and transmits the sonic reading to a “paired” display, customarily plugged into a socket in the home nearby. Typically, the reading is in the tenths and will have a flashing display if the tank is low. The only downside of electric gauges is that they can be pricey, and the battery only lasts about five years or so.

A highly recommended electric oil tank gauge is the Smart Oil Gauge. The Smart Oil Gauge cannot give a precise reading in the top eight inches of the oil tank because the oil is too close to the sensor. However, below eight inches, the Smart Oil Gauge is exceptionally reliable. You can also leave the float gauge installed if you still prefer to have a visual aid.

Which Oil Tank Gauge Is Right for You?

In this blog, we went over the four main types of oil tank gauges. These include sight, oil tank float, hydrostatic, and electric gauges. Overall, the sight and the oil tank float gauges are the cheapest but not the most reliable. The hydrostatic gauge is more reliable than the last two but is more suited for commercial sites. If you’re looking to get the most out of your money, we suggest you go with an electric gauge. Yes, they do cost more to install and maintain, but their readings are far more accurate, saving you time and money when it comes to refilling your oil tank.

Home Service Oil

Visit Home Service Oil for all your oil tank needs. We deliver heating oil to homes, farms, construction, and commercial sites. All you need to do is to contact us here, and we’ll get back to you with a quote and information about the next steps you need to take to receive your order.

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