Oil Tank Gauge?

[robmac]

Maybe try a wooden fold out ruler,strong enough and compact.

[rmlnh]

Here's another option for reading your oil tank level. I installed one of these a few years ago to avoid making the trip down to the crawl space to read the tank.

Basically there is a sensor and transmitter that gets mounted on one of the existing openings on the tank. A separate tiny wireless receiver gets plugged into an AC outlet in your living space. The receiver gives you a readout of the tank level at a glance anytime. Takes about 10 minutes to install yourself. About $85 from manufacturer.

This has been working great, on same set of batteries for the transmitter for over 4 years now, and has been very accurate. Receiver display is in mudroom. Very happy. Note - we have double tanks, and this is mounted on just one of them, oil usage depletes both tanks equally.

http://www.sybasystems.com/OEM%20Rocket/oem_rocket.html

[fatlazyless]

You never know, probably there's already something like a sponge mop with a 48" wood handle that might work. Despite the 18' clearance, could be the mop handle gets angled down into the opening and set vertically. The oil is dyed red and clings, and is easy to read on a dipstick- mop handle. Disposal of paper towel soaked fuel oil is no way as dangerous as gasoline or paint thinner because fuel oil is not flammable.....it is combustable.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by rmlnh

Here's another option for reading your oil tank level. I installed one of these a few years ago to avoid making the trip down to the crawl space to read the tank.

Basically there is a sensor and transmitter that gets mounted on one of the existing openings on the tank. A separate tiny wireless receiver gets plugged into an AC outlet in your living space. The receiver gives you a readout of the tank level at a glance anytime. Takes about 10 minutes to install yourself. About $85 from manufacturer.

This has been working great, on same set of batteries for the transmitter for over 4 years now, and has been very accurate. Receiver display is in mudroom. Very happy. Note - we have double tanks, and this is mounted on just one of them, oil usage depletes both tanks equally.

http://www.sybasystems.com/OEM%20Rocket/oem_rocket.html

I have wireless remote reading digital thermometers (Taylor) in various inside locations recieving signals from an outside transmitter. I like them. I like technical stuff. Quite often they work. I even have a transmitter up in the attic to monitor temps up there.

My mechanical fuel tank level indicator (37 years old) still works fine.....BUT... DAM...I LIKE this little gadget. It's not like I need to check my oil level every few hours, but if you need a nice fix for an "Old" Guage that needs replacement...THIS would work. NB

[fatlazyless]

....for like 85-cents you can get a 5/16 x 48" dowel and angle it into the 1 1/2" diameter threaded opening on top. Most tanks have an unused threaded opening on top designed for either the guage, fill pipe, or air vent pipe.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Let's see ... you could use an electronic gauge or you could use something flexible which fits into the hole and bends between the hole and roof (18"). I vote that you stick one of these in the tank filler and then ask the wife to check the oil level ! You decide, head first or tail first.

[SIKSUKR]

Hey, while were into the creative mode, why not use something as simple as a string and with a weight on the end. On second thought I like M&M's snake level gadget.