Fuel Whistle

[kaniksu]

I have no fuel guages other than a tank tender. When I am fueling topside I obviously cannot watch the tank tender located near the nav station and it is a very tedious job preventing a fuel spill due to over filling my tanks. I recently saw this product on-line and wondered if anyone has installed it on their boat. If so, how does it perform and are you happy with it? It is called the "fuel Whistle" and it can bee seen here on
greenmarineproducts.com

[bubb2]

How many magnets does it have?

[jbondy]

I'd read good things about it, so I bought one thinking it would be a 5 minute install. I discovered that the vent line in my boat is molded into the glass under the cockpit al the way to the thruhull on the transom. So I returned it.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by kaniksu

... it is a very tedious job preventing a fuel spill due to over filling my tanks.

Perhaps this is a silly question, but don't the filler nozzles where you fill have automatic shutoffs?

Jim

[dsmylie]

I would not rely on the automatic shutoff. Fines for even a small spill could be substantial. I'm curious as well. Looks like it would do the job.

[sailortjk1]

If you don't trust the shut off nozzle, how about watching the pumps to see how much fuel you have pumped.
My capacity is twenty gallons, I have half a tank full, I've pumped 8 gallons, I think its time to slow down.

[WouldaShoulda]

There you go, sabotaging another potential Sailnet advertizer!!

[Boasun]

Actually when taking on fuel; I determine how much fuel I will be needing and ask for that amount.
This requires the knowledge of the Max capacity of your tank/s minus the 10% for expansion of the fuel and then how much I have left in those tanks.
If your fill is a straight shot into the tank or each of your tanks then you can sound them with a tape measure (steel). Read the tables for the tanks for the amount you have in the tanks.
You do know you tank capacity?
And the what each inch is in Gallons? Hmmmmm?

Make sure that all cross connects are closed and fill one tank at a time.
No Smoking!
All Passengers ashore!
And have some one watching the fuel vents for any over flow into the catch-basins. A flat sided bucket with the lip taped to the side will improve you chances of not having a spill from the vents that vent straight over board.

[jbondy]

Our tank vent is lower than the deck fill, so excess fuel will come out of the vent before the splash back will automatically shut off the pump. Even if the vent was in sight while filling, I'd hate to wait until I overflow to stop filling. I know my capacity, but my usage is an estimate at best, an estimate that I refine as I go by filling the tank to capacity each time I fill it. I also feel more comfortable with my estimate of how much fuel remains (and therefore how much is needed) if the starting point is a full tank, rather than some guesstimate.

The whistle is supposed to make a very loud, shrill sound while filling until the fuel level blocks the vent hose, at which point it stops. It seems like an easy, inexpensive thing to do to avoid spills. And nary a magnet, nor other dubious science, in sight!

[capttb]

Probably works OK, I tell the fuel attendent how much fuel it should take then hold a towel under the vent and put my ear to the vent, when it goes "Gurgle" I say stop. You can't spill a drop here without reporting and this method works for me.