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Clear tube for fuel site gauge?

BadDog

BadDog

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Anyone know of a good material for a fuel sight gauge? Most clear tubing yellows with fuel over time, but I was wondering if there is anything that will hold up without doing like Brook(IIRC) using a pyrex tube and custom o-ring fittings (that I don't have the skill or equipment to make). So basically, a clear tube that can be clamped on something like a 3/8" nipple and will not yellow within a year or two...
 
Ill see what i can get from work tomorrow, do you really care what size it is? and how long a piece do you need?
 
The tank is 10" tall and the fittings are 3/8 NPT I think. So a piece around 9" or so would probably be ideal, and I can get adapters if needed.

But it's probably not worth the trouble for you to try to get it. I would guess the cost of shipping would be as much as the tube, plus your trouble puts it in the hole. Just knowing what I should look for (and where) would be great.

Thanks.
 
well its free, and im shure shipping wouldent be that much, ill just look, im hella bored at work anyway:D it will give me somthing to do
 
lemme shoot this one by my dad... hes a retired research chemist so I'm sure he knows the scoop.

j
 
check the cycle shops. When I was into quads and dirtbikes we used to have all sorts of see through (clear and colors) tank breather lines, and even fuel lines.
 
Most of the commercial sight gauges are pyrex type stuff and have fitted holders, floating balls, and that sort of thing. Not easily adapted to a fuel cell from what I recall, but there might be something I haven't seen or noticed.

And the normal flexible rubber line like used on motorcycles (at least what I'm familiar with) will yellow eventually with exposure to fuel and sun. Might still be an option and just replace each year or something as it clouds beyond use. I just don’t want to run a gauge.

Maybe the tube surpip is talking about will be a better solution. :dunno: Kinda interested to see what it's made of…
 
Why not just install a premade sight gauge?

1142kp1l.gif
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Do a search on www.mcmaster.com for "sight gauges".:D
 
Hmm, those are single port, which means they have to vent, so probably wouldn't work on my truggy, considering how often it lays over... Or is there something else that allows it to work that would not leak? Sounds perfect otherwise...

Edit: Oh, I just found the others...
 
If the top port is plumed into the tank just like the lower port no venting is needed.
 
THIS

or

THIS


Hmmmm... I seem to be on an Aircraft Spruce kick today. Must be because I just got the new catalog (with over 600 pages of goodies).
 
Ken, those don't say clear that I could see. :dunno:

The M/C sight guages like I would want seemed to all be "nylon" or "vinyl" and for hydraulic/lube applications. Didn't say they would support gas.

So the tank is already buttoned up and just has 2 3/8" NPT nipples top and bottom on the filler side. If I find some sort of tubing that will work, I'll build one. Otherwise, I'll do what I've always done; just fill up before every trip and wing it... Or break down and install an electrical "tube type" sending unit and wire a gauge, but didn't really want to do that.

Thanks for the ideas guys! :thumb:
 
BadDog said:
Ken, those don't say clear that I could see.
Click to expand...

D'OH! Didn't even notice the descriptions didn't say clear...
The Bing fuel tubing is translucent and has a blue tint to it (and it's made specifically for avgas, which is a little nastier than regular), and the polyurethane tubing is a milky-white translucent. I've worked with both before; the Bing is easier to see fuel in, and easier to work with IMHO.
 
why not use a few inches of standard black fuel hose on each end, and some sort of glass tubing in the middle? resists gas just fine... easy to find, oughta be cheap... and the rubber hose will suck up the vibes etc...

j
 
What you need is TYGON tubing.

I cant say it wont yellow, but this grade is spec'd for fuel use inside and out. I bought it for my fuel pickup clunk.

Tygon.jpg
 
btw, dont get scared off by that pricing. The stuff I bought was extremely heavy wall so the clunk weight couldnt collapse the tubing. You might consider it though, since the thinner stuff would be more likely to get torn by a branch or rock, etc.

wiring 028a.jpg

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wiring 025a.jpg
 
I say buy the cheapes gas resistant tubing out there and see just how long it will take to yellow. It is only a fuel sight. If you have to take 8 mins to replace $0.80 of tube every 6 months so be it.

just my .02
 
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