[SEL] Calculating Volume of Water in a Tank

[Judge Tommy Turner]

Skip,
    Here's what I used.  The tank dimensions are 20" by 42".  I wasn't 
sure if it was 20" ID measure or 20" OD.  If you'll notice, it has a 
rolled lip, about 1/4 inch.  To be on the safe side, I assumed 20" OD 
measure (at the top)  minus 1/2 inch (for the rolled lip) which makes an 
ID of 19 1/2.  It may be 20" ID but as I said, I wanted to be on the 
safe side.  Put in the calculations and 19 1/2 by 42 gives you 54.3 
gallons.  An old engine tank won't hold 100% of its volume (your going 
to slosh out a bit of it) so I figured about 90% actual water in the 
tank which equates to slightly less than 50 gallons for engine running 
purposes.  Not sure if 19.5 should be used or 20, it depends on how John 
W. measured and rolled the material.  On the tanks that I've had made, 
the guy always uses OD as if I told him a tank had to be 24 inches and 
he used ID, then once he's finished, with a rolled lip, etc, it actually 
covers about 25 inches.  If its to fit into a base or tight quarters, it 
could be trouble.

Tommy Turner
Magnolia, KY


> Are you using inside dimensions on that tank?
> Skip
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judge Tommy Turner" 
> <lcjudge at scrtc.com>
> To: "The SEL email discussion list" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 12:21 AM
> Subject: Re: [SEL] Calculating Volume of Water in a Tank
>
>
>> Paul,
>>    I went back and checked to make sure the figure I got (close to 50 
>> gallons) was correct.  Looks like it is. The tank could potentially 
>> hold more than this.  But, you're not going to be able to run it at 
>> 100% capacity (10% of it would slosh out with the engine running) so 
>> I used 90%.  I did a calculation a couple of nights ago and came up 
>> with something like 15 gallons but looking at the calculator, I think 
>> I know what I did wrong.  There are two ways to figure volume in a 
>> cylindrical tank.  One uses the diameter and the other uses the 
>> radius.  I think I typed in the radius (10 inches) when I should have 
>> typed in the diameter. Using the radius gives a volume of 14 
>> gallons.  Using the diameter gives a volume of 54 (both of these at 
>> 100%).  Didn't realize that a few inches could make such a 
>> difference.....
>>
>> Tommy Turner
>> Magnolia, KY
>>
>>
>>> Ok Gang I have a coolant tank on E-bay for sell, the question is 
>>> "How much water will it hold".
>>> I need one of you mathematician to tell me how much water a round 
>>> tank that is 20" in diameter and 42" tall will hold.
>>>
>>> Paul'
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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