Calibrated Fuel Sticks?

[DonMuncy]

Since there is so much hand fitting on Mooney construction, there are minor differences in the capacities of the tanks. Frankly, I don't think a gallon or two either way is ever likely to save (or cost you) your life. However, we Mooney owners like things precise, and the much better way is to run a tank dry in the air, then add measured fuel, and marking your own stick as you go. Being lazy like I am, I only did it for one tank, so my guess is that it is off a little for the other tank. 

[McMooney]

Home Depot paint stir/measuring sticks,

Dipped the tanks prior to refueling and after a few weeks i had all marks neccessary.

used a blue/black jel pen,   once the ink is dry/absorbed into the stick, gasoline will not take it off

 

never bothered to empty a tank

Edited March 14 by McMooney

[Pinecone]

I did an article for Mooney Flyer on doing this.  
 

I did a Universal Fuel Hawk and a Fuel Stik. 

The Fuel Stik is more precise with finer gradations and if you send them your numbers (X reading is Y gallons) they will develop a custom scale that reads out directly in gallons.  They even did one for me that has two scales for the inboard and outboard with the Monroy tanks.

[Zippy_Bird]

Follow-up question... has anyone observed different measurement depending on where you "stick" your dip stick through the tank inlet (i.e.  inboard, outboard, forward, aft, center)???  Next trip to the airport with my new stick, I'll definitely test this!   Thanks, Z

[wombat]

Yes, but only about 1/2" to 3/4" difference.    I actually spent 3 hours today calibrating my left fuel tank's gauges.   I'll write more about it in another post.

 

[Pinecone]

Yes, when I did mine ( Present Position (themooneyflyer.com) ), I made sure I used a repeatable position for measuring.

[John Mininger]

It does seem that with all the Cies senders being installed now, the time to do a fuel stick calibration is when the new senders are calibrated.