Sylvie Willis
Installing a fuel oil tank gauge is a straightforward process that can be done by anyone with basic handyman skills and the right tools. The most common type of fuel oil tank gauge is the float gauge, which consists of a floating piece (the 'float') that sits atop the oil and moves down as the oil level lowers. This float is usually made of cork or plastic and is attached to a hinged arm with a plastic disc at the other end. The disc moves up and down with the float and is housed behind a plastic vial that can be removed by hand. To install a float gauge, one must first locate the extra opening on the tank, typically found on top, and then follow the specific installation instructions provided by the manufacturer. If there is no extra opening, the float gauge can be installed where the old float gauge was, after removing it and preparing the tank fitting. Smart Oil Gauges are also a popular choice and can be easily installed by hand-tightening them onto the adapter, without using Teflon tape or pipe dope.
Characteristics and Values of Installing a Fuel Oil Tank Gauge
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools required | Rubber gloves, penetrating oil, paper towels, pipe wrench, pipe dope, wrench, marker |
| Step 1 | Remove the plastic vial by hand to expose the disc |
| Step 2 | Position the pipe wrench on the metal fitting and loosen the fitting slightly |
| Step 3 | Pull the disc up to lift the float out of the oil |
| Step 4 | Completely loosen the fitting and remove the float assembly |
| Step 5 | Clean the fitting on the tank and apply pipe dope to the threads of the new float gauge assembly |
| Step 6 | Mark the direction that the arm should fall once the assembly is on the tank |
| Step 7 | Secure the vial into place and tighten the gauge in the marked direction |
| Smart Oil Gauge Installation | Locate the extra opening, hand-tighten the gauge, place the gasket, and tighten the cap nut |
| Twin/Dual Tanks | Install the gauge on the tank with the vent pipe to avoid damage from pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding how a float gauge works
The float gauge relies on the principle of buoyancy, with the float being made of a material less dense than the oil, allowing it to remain afloat. When installing or replacing a float gauge, it is important to first loosen the assembly slightly before removing the plastic vial to access the disc and the float arm. This process may require the use of a pipe wrench and a penetrating oil to facilitate loosening the fitting.
In modern fuel gauges, the float is often replaced by a magnetic float or a solid float, which still operates on the same principle of buoyancy but uses magnetic or electrical signals to indicate the fuel level. These signals are then averaged out to provide a stable reading, preventing the gauge from fluctuating wildly as the fuel sloshes around during movement.
Additionally, some tanks employ non-contact ultrasonic gauges, which do not utilise a float but instead rely on ultrasonic sensors to measure the fuel level. These gauges are advantageous as they avoid issues with sludge buildup, which can affect the accuracy of float gauges in older heating oil tanks.
Overall, understanding the basic mechanism of a float gauge is crucial for successful installation or replacement, ensuring that the gauge functions accurately and provides reliable fuel level readings.
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Removing the old gauge
Before removing the old gauge, it is important to understand how a float gauge works. This will aid in removing it and knowing what to expect. There is a floating piece (the 'float') that sits atop the oil. This float sits at the end of a hinged arm. At the other end of the hinged arm is a plastic disc that moves up and down with the float. The disc is housed behind a plastic vial that can be removed by hand. The disc and vial provide a rough indication of the oil level in the fuel oil tank.
First, remove the plastic vial by hand to expose the disc. Then, position the pipe wrench on the metal fitting that threads into the tank. Use both hands and loosen the fitting only slightly. If you cannot loosen the fitting easily, soak it in a penetrating oil such as Liquid Wrench for several hours or up to a couple of days.
Next, pull the disc up to lift the float out of the oil before attempting to loosen the fitting completely. Once the disc is up, you can continue unscrewing the float gauge fitting from the tank. Once the fitting is completely loose, you can remove the float assembly. Release the disc to allow the float to settle back into the tank. Slowly raise the assembly out and allow the float to fall while doing so. This will allow you to remove the whole assembly from the tank. Use paper towels to catch any dripping oil, and place the whole assembly in a garbage bag immediately.
If you are removing the gauge from a Roth double-wall tank, you will need to remove the existing gauge and install the new gauge in that port. Be sure to leave the #3 gasket in place.
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Preparing the new gauge
Before installing a new gauge, it is important to understand how a float gauge works. There is a floating piece (the 'float'), sometimes made of cork but more recently plastic, that sits atop the oil. This float sits at the end of a hinged arm. At the other end of the hinged arm is a plastic disc that moves up and down with the float. The disc is housed behind a plastic vial that can be removed by hand. The disc and vial provide a rough indication of the oil level in the fuel oil tank. The float in a heating oil tank float gauge sits atop the oil and moves down as the level lowers.
To prepare the new gauge, you will need to first locate the extra opening to install the gauge onto. If there is no extra opening, you will need to remove the float gauge and install the new gauge where the float once was. Make sure to have paper towels, rubber gloves, and a trash bag ready, as this step can get messy. If you are installing the gauge onto a twin-tank setup, make sure to install the gauge onto the tank with the vent line to avoid damage due to pressure.
Once the plug has been removed, apply pipe dope to the threads of the new gauge. Hand-tighten the gauge to get the threads started, then tighten with a pipe wrench on the metal body of the device. Do not use Teflon tape or pipe dope on the Smart Oil Gauge threads, as this will interfere with the gauge's ability to read properly. The gasket in the adapter will provide a seal for the sensor to work properly.
If you are installing a Smart Oil Gauge Duo, you should set up the gauge before installing it to ensure that it is functioning correctly. You can also refer to the step-by-step process outlined in the Roth Tank Installation Guide.
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Installing the new gauge
If you are installing a Smart Oil Gauge, you should first locate the extra opening on your tank to install the gauge onto. If there is no extra opening, you will need to remove the float gauge and install the Smart Oil Gauge in its place. Be sure to have paper towels, rubber gloves, and a trash bag ready, as it will get messy.
Once you have located the correct opening, put the guide cone into the piping, and install the gauge onto the adapter by hand-tightening it. Do not use Teflon Tape or pipe dope on the Smart Oil Gauge. The gasket in the adapter will provide a seal for the sensor to work properly.
If you are installing a manual float gauge, you will need to slowly lift up the disc and slowly tighten it until it’s snug. You can stop tightening when the arm is positioned properly in the tank. Once the gauge is securely attached to the tank, you can begin to secure the vial into place.
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Configuring the new gauge
Before installing a new gauge, it is important to understand how a float gauge works. There is a floating piece (the 'float'), which is usually made of cork or plastic, that sits on top of the oil. This float is attached to a hinged arm, at the other end of which is a plastic disc that moves up and down with the float. The disc is housed behind a plastic vial, which can be removed by hand. The disc and vial provide a rough indication of the oil level in the fuel oil tank.
If you are installing a Smart Oil Gauge, you should set it up and connect it to WiFi before installing it on the oil tank. You should also ensure that it is configured for the right tank size. You can refer to the QuickStart Guide in the box for instructions on how to connect to WiFi.
If you are installing a manual float gauge, you will need to mark the interior of the fitting with a marker to indicate which direction the float gauge's arm extends. You can then tighten the gauge in that direction.
If you are installing a Smart Oil Gauge Duo, you will need to locate the extra opening to install the gauge onto. If there is no extra opening, you will need to remove the float gauge and install the Smart Oil Gauge Duo in its place. You should not use Teflon Tape or pipe dope on the Smart Oil Gauge Duo.
If you are installing a standard Smart Oil Gauge, you will need to locate the extra bung and remove the plug in its place. If there is no extra bung, you will need to remove the float gauge and install the Smart Oil Gauge in its place. Once the plug has been removed, apply pipe dope to the threads of the gauge. Hand-tighten the gauge to get the threads started, then tighten with a pipe wrench on the metal body of the device.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a wrench, pipe dope or thread sealant, rubber gloves, paper towels, a trash bag, and a penetrating oil/liquid wrench.
First, find the extra opening to install the gauge. If there is no extra opening, you will need to remove the float gauge and install the new gauge in its place. Next, apply pipe dope to the threads of the new gauge. Then, hand-tighten the gauge and tighten it with a pipe wrench. Finally, secure the vial into place.
A fuel oil tank gauge is a device that helps you monitor the oil level in your tank. It is important to install one so that you can keep track of your oil usage and ensure that you do not run out of oil.
It is important to understand how a float gauge works before installing one. Additionally, always connect the gauge to WiFi before installing it on the oil tank. If you are having trouble configuring the gauge, refer to the troubleshooting guide or contact customer support.
