12/04/2017
Dipstick Dilemmas
When was the last time you checked your dipsticks personally? Here are a few things to consider:
• Most of the oil companies require you to do manual dips each day as well as before & after each fuel delivery. This is in conjunction with your ATG readings (if you have ATG installed).
• If you're using wooden dipsticks remember to dip for volume first and then for water. Dipping for volume is normally 5 seconds and for water 4 minutes. If you dip for water first, the fuel will be absorbed into the wood and the reading level will be higher than the actual volume in the tanks.
• When you've added water finding paste to the dipstick, do not slide that side of the stick against the dip pipe as there may be water condensed inside the dip pipe, giving a false reading.
• If you store your dipsticks on top of a gas cage or some other area that is shorter than the dip stick, the ends of the stick will bend down over time. If bent enough, the end of the stick may not land on the touch plate on the tank bottom, but next to it, giving an incorrect reading. It's best to install a PVC pipe on the side of the building, long enough to store the dipsticks safely.
• You should never store wooden dipsticks in the dip pipe.
• If a dipstick has worn off or been cut, you will have a consistently higher reading than the actual volume. If you're only using the manual dip readings, this will result in variances on your fuel reconciliation.
• If a dipstick has been made longer by adding a piece or combining 2 broken sticks, you'll have a consistently lower reading than the actual volume.
• Remember that you should use hydrocarbon resistant gloves when handling dipsticks.