Sap tank markings- gallons per inch??

[johnallin]

I have a CDL 160 gal sap tank in the sugar house. Years ago I marked what I thought were gallons per inch next to a site tube, but each time I collect what I put in does not match what I have marked.
Does anyone have a level indicator or calculation as to what's in there? Driving me nuts. Thanks John

[mellondome]

Best way is start empty... and add 5 gal at a time and mark it. If you know all the deminsions... there are online calculators that will give you a graduated chart.

[johnallin]

That would be the smart thing to do. I used a calculator and figured 1” was 7.4 gal (tank is 24x48). But I’m still off. Will have to regroup when sap stops running.

[maple flats]

Each tank will be different. Every thing like the exact level, the shape and many other variables make it impossible.
I also did mine by starting empty and added 5 gal at a time then marked the site tube I had installed off the feed line from that tank to the evaporator. I only did it for the first 30 gal, then I estimated from there. That was not for an exact count, just to let me know when to stop adding wood at the end, so I would run out of fire just 3-4 gal before the tank runs dry. I then remove the float and let that little bit in to boil as the arch cools while I clean up.

[JoeJ]

That would be the smart thing to do. I used a calculator and figured 1” was 7.4 gal (tank is 24x48). But I’m still off. Will have to regroup when sap stops running.

Jon,

I think that your numbers used to calculate the gallons are wrong. 24" x 48" x 1" = 1152 cubic inches divided by 231 cubic inches in a gallon of water = 4.98 gallons per inch of rectangular.

Five years ago I bought a CDL and a Lapierre SS tank 48 x 96 x by about 40 " deep that were supposed to be about 750 gallons (according to each dealer) I asked how many gallons each tank held exactly and neither one knew. So I hooked up an old water meter and pumped water from my well through the meter and measured each depth every 20 gallons. Both dealers were off on the estimated gallon number, but now I know exactly.

Joe

[Haynes Forest Products]

Round bottom, square, Square tank with bulging sides , Round tank cone bottom. Its like explaining what a differential rear end is to my 14 year old boy as his girlfriend is talking to another boy. I have a CDL round bottom tank and you would think the serial number would have the gallons as part of the number. Go with the 5 gallon method.

[johnallin]

Jon,

I think that your numbers used to calculate the gallons are wrong. 24" x 48" x 1" = 1152 cubic inches divided by 231 cubic inches in a gallon of water = 4.98 gallons per inch of rectangular
.Joe

Joe you are right. My number was a typo. I marked 1 inch increments from the top down but now think I was sloppy with my marking, more like 1 1/4" or worse. If 1" = 4.98 gallons it should be easy to go from top down until the tank rounds off - as long as you are diligent with your marks! Looking at it today while boiling, I could see that I was off by bunches. I note the gallons in the tank when I start up and then take hourly readings to check my GPH evap rate. It's a handy way to keep track of gal boiled as well as collected.

It was Friday when I was showing 40 gal in the tank and then only 105 after pumping up 100 gallons from a tank with factory markings... made me start to second guess my handy work.
Thanks for the input..

[mellondome]

Factory marked tanks are just estimates as well.

[johnallin]

I would like to think that if you’re going to mark a tank it would be accurate. What’s the point in marking?

[ja2wiles]

Tank Volume Calculator

https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/construction/tank.php

Here is a tank volume calculator.

[johnallin]

Thanks, that’s a neat site!

[tbear]

I bought a 65 gallon tank. Regardless of what the markings say can I safely assume that filled to the brim it does indeed hold 65 gallons? Thanks, Ted

[johnallin]

It better....