9 replies to this topic

[Realstoo]

Hey everyone!

I have a twin tank set up but my gauge always reads half what I really have. (it reads full until the tanks level out after a while). When it reads empty- I really have half left (i suppose).

Is this just how it is and thats it? Or is there a proper set up that tells you really how much you have?
This isn't original to the car so I'm not surprised the one sensor is confused, what set up did those twin tank cooper 's's have for accurate reading?


Im a sucker for having loads of switches and gauges. I like my cars like a cockpit, complete with checklist style start ups. Sigh. Just out of curiousity what set up did the rally cooper works have? Did they have a switch over set up (Tank A, Tank B) type like you get with old jags and landys? That would be great to have.

Thanks all

[Cooperman]

The tank gauge will always read the amount of fuel in the LH tank. The tanks are self-levelling and a short while after filling the levels will be equal. So, at a gauge reading of 1/2 you will have half the maximum of the two tanks added together. On a Mini with twin 5.5 gallon tanks that's a max of 11 gallons and at a gauge reading of 1/2 you'll have 5.5 gallons. The tanks are not like aircraft ones where you can switch between tanks. I guess you could have twin electric pumps and have the tanks as individual units, but you would not have a gauge for the RH tank unless you modified the tank and added a fuel gauge similar tom the one in the RH tank.

[mk1leg]

No empty is empty.......DER as it drawes from both tanks in the oridnal set up with link pipe.....



unless you have a switch over pump from one tank to other but then you would need 2 gauges...............

Edited by mk1leg, 27 March 2012 - 09:49 PM.

[Cooperman]

With the fuel feeding equally from each tank and the level in each tank always the same the balance of the car is maintained as the fuel is used.

[dklawson]

Nothing to add to the above except a question.

Are you (Realstoo) filling both tanks or just the one? When at the gas station, fill both tanks. The rate at which the tanks empty is slow enough that the tanks will remain at relatively the same level while driving.

[Spitz]

Thanks for posting that picture Mk1....I have never seen a pic of the connecting tube hooked up as it should be ( I'm assuming that one is )

[Cooperman]

Nothing to add to the above except a question.

Are you (Realstoo) filling both tanks or just the one? When at the gas station, fill both tanks. The rate at which the tanks empty is slow enough that the tanks will remain at relatively the same level while driving.

Yes, it can take over 1/2-an-hour for the tank levels to equalise if you just fill one tank and leave the other quite low.

[Realstoo]

Ok ill fill up both from now on, I can see what you mean about it evening out etc. So an original twin tank 'S' straight out the factory had the one sensor in the left tank like any other mini?
and because both should be filled and they self level over a while it is actually an accurate reading of how much overall you have?.

Fill up left tank= gauge says full

after an hour=gauge says half- because I actually have two half filled tanks.



Ok I get it now

Thanks everyone

[dklawson]

Yep. That's it. One sender and fill both tanks.

[Spitz]

But don't fill to the brim !
If you then park sideways on too much of an incline, the fuel may spill out the cap or up the vent line.