Holding tank level guage source

I am not finding it on my searches, but I remember seeing a holding tank level gauge that consisted of a series of clear plastic rods that extended down into the tank that acted like "fiber-optic" level gauges. When the level reached the end of the rod, you could see it turn dark at the top of the tank.

Does anybody have a reference to the source of this if they are still around?

Thanks!
Bill

[delmarrey]

Here are a couple links you can research..................._/)

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...t=holding+tank

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...t=holding+tank

Thanks for those, but they aren't what I am looking for. That type of thing is easy to find, but more expensive and complex than what I want.

The one I am thinking of was a visual indication at the top of the tank, no electricity, no moving parts.

Foolproof and inexpensive. Now if only I had saved the link while I had it!!!!

Bill

[knottybuoyz]

Dunno how well a manual sight guage will work on a holding tank but there are options.

Sight Guages for Water Tanks - Water Level Indicator

Welcome to MoreBeer

Rectangular sightglasses, obround sightglass, D-Ended sight glass elongated

Liquid level gauges, magnetic level, indicators reflex steam transparent

Still not right... A regular external sightglass would (as you imply) be a disaster in a holding tank!

Let me describe more carefully what I am looking for. I remember it clearly because when I saw it I thought it was extremely clever, but at the time I didn't need on so did'nt save the reference.

Imagine a long clear glass rod that is suspended vertically in the tank. One end of the rod penetrates the top of the tank, the other is half way down the tank. When the end of the rod is in air, light that enters the top of the rod relfects of the bottome and returns, the rod looks "lit". When the liquid level rises, the bottom of the glass rod no longer reflects the light and the top of the rod turns dark.

Now put three of them, one at 1/2, one at 3/4 and one at "Full" and you just look a the top of the tank to see where the level in your tank is.

I know somebody was making these commercially just a few years ago.

[Alan Wheeler]

I know exactly what you mean. it's not glass, it is a very clear acrylic rod. Never seen a commercial one though.
Consider making one perhaps. Go to a specialist in acrylic and plastics and see if they stock the rod material. Place rods in a cap and bingo you have the unit.

[Steve Kidson]

I remember having a lawn mower once - a Victa, good Aussie brand, that had a fuel cap with this type of guage intergrated into it.

I guess it probably works in reverse to what would be required in a holding tank guage, but I do remeber that it was stepped as it progressed further away from the cap; ie it got narrower along its length - depth of the tank.

I think this was to give an indication of 1/4 full, 1/2 full etc.

I am sure a plastics specialist should be able to fabricate something to satisfy.

Fair winds

Steve

[Alan Wheeler]

Yeah now come to think of it, I remember that one too. It was a length of perspex with the bottom cut on an angle. So for there is no reason why they have to be rods. Flat 10mm or 12mm perspex(acrylic) would work just fine.

[The Mons]

Its called tankeye.