Oil Tank Whistle settings

Long Islander

I just had a 330 gallon oil tank (44" vertical standing)installed in my attached garage. I sticked my tank the morning of receiving an oil delivery and it measured 3&1/2", which equated to 14 gallons remaining. The oil delivery man filled the tank until the whistle sounded. He also waited a minute or so after the whistle sounded to allow for any "foaming" of the oil to settle, upon which time he tried some more to add a little bit more until the whistle abruptly went off again. His meter stated an oil delivery of 285.7 gallons. I then sticked the tank and measured 39&1/8", which corresponded to 300 gallons, which confirmed that the amount delivered was what the meter had stated. Therefore this means that the whistle goes off with what would equate to 30 gallons of additional holding capacity of the tank. I understand that there needs to be some room to allow for expansion/contraction due to summer vs winter temperatures, and I know that the whistle is designed to go off BEFORE the tank is full. My question is: Is there a typical, industry-wide, standard setting for these whistle from one manufacturer to the other for 44" tanks? The purpose for me spending more money (and giving up a foot of wall space in my already space limited garage) for a 330 gallon vs a 275 was so that I could get a 300 gallon oil delivery and take advantage of the price break that occurs at 300 gallons. If the whistle goes off a little bit too early, as is apparently happening, then I will have to spend more per gallon because I would have to pay the price per gallon based upon the 200 to 299 gallon rate. Had I known this to be the case, in hindsight, I should have went with a 275 gallon tank. Is 30 gallons of air space in the tank (@ 39&1/8") a little bit more than necessary on a 44" tank? Why wouldn't the whistle be set to go off when the tank is holding something more like 310 gallons minimum-315 gallons maximum range?

Firedragon_4

Most installers today

don't cut the whistle because they don't know how, FACT! It's best left alone today anyway the way these huge delivery trucks are pumping the stuff. It does sound like the driver knew what he was doing though!

David_5

Why trim whistle?

When I read the instructions for a whistle it said to trim it for horizontal tank install. On a 275 tank the most you usually get in the tank is 250. That works out to about 90% fill. 90% of 330 is 297 gallons. I don't know if I would trim the whistle in this case. If you did I would worry about the vent spitting oil.

David

J.C.A._3

Also,

Proper pitch for your oil tank is 1/4"/ft. Over the 6'lenth, that would be 1-1/2". Imagine if someone cut the whistle tube and forgot to take into account PLACEMENT of the whistle?Front of the tank would be up to the top and you would see the ring of oil on the welded 2" insert "weeping" immediately.Chris

Long Islander

I put a level on the top of my tank and it is dead on level (No slant/pitch). Therefore, it apparently seems that the pitching of the tank was not done in my case. I also happened to stick the tank using the opening that is located in the middle of the tank. With this in mind, if an additional 10 gallons would have been delivered, bringing the total in the tank to 310 gallons (equaling 41") [or for that matter even an additioanl 15 gallons, bringing the total to 315 gallons (equaling 42")], wouldn't there still be enough clearance (2 to 3") to allow for margin for expansion and/or the whistle to go off before the tank would be completely filled to the very top, particularly since there is no pitch on my tank?

lchmb

best you can do

it would be in your best interest to leave well enough alone. Your 330 is designed to hold approximately 300 gallon's of oil.The only other choice you would have is to add a second tank. If you were to cut the whistle and a driver were to get a little over selous and push the whistle you could have a very nasty expensive spill. If you are interested in storage for pricing only add the second tank..:) good luck