Homemade Fuel Stick

[Cwalsh7997]

So I don't trust my 1967 fuel gauges should I? So I'm wondering if any of you guys have a homemade fuel stick or if a standard one will work and give me your opinion on how to do it?

[Oldguy]

The thing most of us seem to do is start with an empty fuel tank and a paint stirring stick or something similar. Add a known quantity of fuel (say 4 gallons or so), stick the stirrer in and mark where the liquid line is. Continue adding fuel in the amount you would like to measure (another 1, 2 or 4 gallons) and repeat the process until full. Measure as often as you like at the granularity you want. That should give you a measuring device that goes from empty to full.

 

For me, the minimum is 6 gals on the stick. Less than that and I want to load fuel regardless of the length of the planned trip. A very unscientific device, but better than my eyes making a guess.  YMMV.

 

John

[Dan M20E '66]

You'll find threads elsewhere in this forum on the subject. I have a '66E and used markings posted by another owner with a similar vintage. I made a stick using 1" square wood, and spray painted the top bright orange to remember not to drop it into the tank. It reads a little lower than actual, but that's good, and is part of every pre-flight check.

[22 others]

The old guys get a free pass. Us young guys should probably do this:
 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Amooneyspace.com+%20fuel+stick

 

I get better results using the site:mooneyspace.com tag with google than I do with the search function on the website.  I'll be making mine this weekend with a plain wood dowel.

 

Josh

 

[gsxrpilot]

I used to have one of the clear straws sold by several vendors for brand C and such. All the markings had been remarked for my Mooney. Then I lost it somewhere. But I found I never used it anyway. I just keep the tanks full.

[DaV8or]

The old guys get a free pass. Us young guys should probably do this:

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Amooneyspace.com+%20fuel+stick

 

I get better results using the site:mooneyspace.com tag with google than I do with the search function on the website.  I'll be making mine this weekend with a plain wood dowel.

 

Josh

 

Hey that site:mooneyspace.com trick seems to work pretty good! Since I'm old, can you be my personal Google monkey?!

[Dan M20E '66]

Advanced Member

• 
• Members
• 90 posts

• LocationNorthern CA
• Reg #:N6066Q
• Model:'66 M20E

Posted 27 April 2010 - 05:11 PM

My archive has a post I salted away from Rob Hoyle, who graciously provided the measurements and markings from the dipstick he (and the prior owner) calibrated for his 1964 C model, and which seems to be VERY well calibrated to my '66 E model.  I stick the tanks before filling to see what I expect, and compare the result to my fuel totalizer and the numbers off the gas pump-  the stick is usually right on the money.

Get a wooden paint stir stick from Home Depot or similar, then mark it with a finepoint sharpie.  The fuel soaks into the wood just enough to make it easy to see the level when you pull it out, but is dry enough to be easy to measure the next tank by the time you've walked over and pulled the cap.

Inches       Gallons
9               26
8 1/2           25
8               24
7 5/8           23
7 1/4           22
6 7/8           21
6 1/2           20
6 1/16        19
5 3/4           18
5 7/16         17
5 1/16        16
4 13/16      15
4 1/2           14
4 1/8           13
3 7/8           12
3 1/2           11
2 11/16       9
2 3/8           8
2 1/8           7
1 3/4           6

I can't remember the last time I procured ANYTHING for the airplane that was this cheap and useful. 

Regards,

Knute
'66 M20E - KSQL (San Carlos, CA)

[N201MKTurbo]

For people without sticks:

When it is just wet below the gas cap that is 1/2 hour.

One inch is an hour, two inches is two hours, the tab is 2 1/2 hours and full is three hours.

5000 hours in Mooneys and I haven't ran out of gas yet....

Knock on wood...

[Hank]

But my C doesn't have tabs . . . And how do I tell if the gas is 1" deep or 2" deep without a stick?

I have a "Universal Hawk" or something, with new lines and numbers etched in for my plane. Quick, easy, accurate, made by the PO.

EDIT: Found a photo.

[N201MKTurbo]

It only apples to F and Js...

[StinkBug]

I used one of these, and made my own markings. I like the straw style better than the wood stick. Easier to read in various lights. I found the measurements above to be right on the money for my C with 26gal tanks.

[omega708]

I have one of these.  http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/fuelhawkuniv11.php

 

It comes with a card that you fill out to tell you how many gallons are  in the tank when it the straw shows various amounts.  Works perfectly.  I did laminate the reference card.  Using this device is part of every pre-flight.  If I don't need fuel this tells me how much I have.  If I do need fuel, this tells me how much to expect from the fuel truck.  

 

It's a great way to keep a close eye on your fuel usage.  Stick the tank before a flight, stick the tank after the flight and see what your fuel burn was in comparison to your panel gauges etc.   

[chrisk]

My fuel stick is a large (about 2 feet) paint stick from Home Depot.   It think it was free, or included the last time I bought paint.   I ran a fuel tank dry.  Then added 5 gal, marked the stick, another 5 with a mark, and so on.   When I stick the fuel, and it lands between the marks, I interpolate.  --It's light, free, and lets me double check the wing sight gauges (which have proved quite accurate).

 

Anyway, I went with the large paint stick because it floats, and is big enough that I don't think it is possible to drop it in the fuel tank.

[midlifeflyer]

The old guys get a free pass. Us young guys should probably do this:

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Amooneyspace.com+%20fuel+stick

 

I get better results using the site:mooneyspace.com tag with google than I do with the search function on the website.  I'll be making mine this weekend with a plain wood dowel.

 

Josh

 

I've done the plain wood dowel. Calibration was over the course of a few flights when I always refueled to the same level.