Heating oil tank gauge, what's best?

[dobbslc]

After nearly running out of oil in March I want a gauge for the tank so I know what I have left. A friend has one of those digital ones that tell you how much oil you use a day/week/month etc but I've read they can be unreliable!
Is anyone on here using one and are they any good?
The tank is steel and about 3000 litres.

 

[steviec_lj]

Depends what level the tank is at now, but personally a sight tube is best indication.

 

[dobbslc]

I've got a sight tube BUT it was showing I had a foot of oil left when it was almost empty! I haven't looked at why it was doing this though. Probably dirt in the bottom to the tube.

 

[waddycall]

Anything other than a digital one/watchman. A long stick is better than one of those.

 

[dobbslc]

Ok are they that bad then?

 

[Migmac]

I just take the filler cap off now and again and have a look to see what’s left.

 

[waddycall]

Never believe them. We had one at work that just lied. Always losing the signal. Uses up a socket. I’m going for something like this once my new tanks in-
https://www.fueltankshop.co.uk/adjustable-clock-gauge/p4916
Others may have better experience!

 

[addjunkie]

Depends what level the tank is at now, but personally a sight tube is best indication.

Snap, but still take a look now and again to make sure its right.

A garden cane and chalk works a treat too. Chalk cane, dip tank.

 

[Migmac]

Never believe them. We had one at work that just lied. Always losing the signal. Uses up a socket. I’m going for something like this once my new tanks in-
https://www.fueltankshop.co.uk/adjustable-clock-gauge/p4916
Others may have better experience!

My mother’s got one like that on her tank, she hasn’t run out yet!

 

[Luke]

We've got a watchman on a plastic tank. It's been fine so far, but it gets checked every couple of months with a dip stick, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Kayos]

Had a customer ask what was wrong with her gauge, told her they are all rubbish and it’s better to keep an eye on the tank

Fast forward a few months and she wants to switch to lpg, not sure how that’s better but at least I’m fitting a new boiler

 

[steviec_lj]

Anything other than a digital one/watchman. A long stick is better than one of those.

Ok are they that bad then?

In a word, Yes! The ones we’ve had were terrible. Guessing at the level worked better than they did.

We took to using a stick, although a piece of cheese would have been better.

 

[mike os]

stick or sight tube

 

[armalites]

I have one of these but mine has an LCD on the tank part as well. I have had no issues and it's been in place for years. My tank is easily accessable so I do periodically check it visually.

https://heatingpartswarehouse.co.uk/product/apollo-ultrasonic-oil-tank-level-monitor-gauge/

 

[dobbslc]

Well two years on and we've run out of oil again
I might try one of those Apollo ones and see how it goes! Problem is that my tank stands about 8' tall and I need to get the ladders out to climb on top of it to dip it which is a PITA!
I'm also thinking about getting a new tank as this one is huge at 3000 litres and is perched on top of two rows of concrete blocks that do have a bit of wobble in them!
A new low level tank would be nice.
Anyway I'm off to get 25 litres of oil in a can now £££££££

 

[Kayos]

Well two years on and we've run out of oil again
I might try one of those Apollo ones and see how it goes! Problem is that my tank stands about 8' tall and I need to get the ladders out to climb on top of it to dip it which is a PITA!
I'm also thinking about getting a new tank as this one is huge at 3000 litres and is perched on top of two rows of concrete blocks that do have a bit of wobble in them!
A new low level tank would be nice.
Anyway I'm off to get 25 litres of oil in a can now £££££££

New Apollo ones are nice to configure and seem pretty accurate

 

[waddycall]

Thinking about fitting a meter to my oil pipe. Might be more accurate. We’re pushing our oil level low at the minute to get 1000 litres in the next order.

 

[badabec]

Hello, two of my neighbours replaced steel tanks with plastic tanks. Both started leaking and had to be replaced. Neither were very old, about 10 years.
My steel tank has a sight tube with a shoe lace tied in a bow at the latest level. When I turn the tap I can see how much I have used.
My wife likes the house sub-tropical...
Peter

 

[armalites]

We run an Apollo on ours, can't fault it. If you run when you have one then you'd to be be deaf or using 100L a day because it starts screaming with plenty of notice.

Thinking about fitting a meter to my oil pipe. Might be more accurate. We’re pushing our oil level low at the minute to get 1000 litres in the next order.

The break point from below 1000 to above is so small it's really not worth stressing about. At most it's going a few quid. Personally I would just get it filled.

The prices have dropped a bit recently, we had a 1000L at 49.95p I think but a friend of mine has just had some from the same supplier for 47.5p and he only had 900L

I know people who phone around every year or join some buying group and they'd have you believe they are saving £100s. it's total nonsense. 1p difference on a 1000L is £10 and I don't remember a time where the major suppliers in my area were more that 1p appart.

I don't bother now, I found a company who provides a service I like and I've stuck with them. I do sanity check every now and then but if you've used the same place for years I think it's far more lilely they will help you out f you get stuck.

 

[badabec]

Anyone on here use Boilerjuice for oil quotes?