How to use the Blue boy full tank bobber gauge

[Bruce and Jenna]

I have a 30 gallon four wheel Blue Boy. It came with a full level gauge, basically a little bobber that rises when the tank fills up. Screws into the washer opening at the front of the tank.


Blue boy tank bobber

However, when you tighten down the indicator, the tank won’t fill because the air can’t escape from the tank. And the bobber pushes up as the pressure builds up. So I loosened the bobber some and some air escaped. But not fast enough. Looked like I had to completely unscrew the bobber for the air to flow out and the bobber to work.

No instructions on using the indicator. I haven’t called Barker cause they did not respond to my prior question, despite a voicemail and three emails. NG on support there.

Anyone use this little gizmo? I’m glad I didn’t pay for it separately. Instead it came with the tank. (Which means I paid for it, I guess.)

[Bruce and Jenna]

I have a 30 gallon four wheel Blue Boy. It came with a full level gauge, basically a little bobber that rises when the tank fills up. Screws into the washer opening at the front of the tank.


Blue boy tank bobber

However, when you tighten down the indicator, the tank won’t fill because the air can’t escape from the tank. And the bobber pushes up as the pressure builds up. So I loosened the bobber some and some air escaped. But not fast enough. Looked like I had to completely unscrew the bobber for the air to flow out and the bobber to work.

No instructions on using the indicator. I haven’t called Barker cause they did not respond to my prior question, despite a voicemail and three emails. NG on support there.

Anyone use this little gizmo? I’m glad I didn’t pay for it separately. Instead it came with the tank. (Which means I paid for it, I guess.)

[Dr4Film]

I have re-opened this thread for informational reasons. I basically had the same dilemma. I went out and purchased an in-line hose shut-off valve, two large rubber washers, and a PVC fitting which on one end has a hose bib male thread and the other end has a slip glue fitting which isn't being used. I drilled a 1" hole with a wood drill bit into the top of the tank just in front of the large fill port. I also cut the middle hole in the rubber washers larger to accommodate the threaded part of the PVC fitting. Since my wife's hands are smaller than mind, I had her take the PVC fitting with one of the rubber washers on it and after slipping it into the large opening, she pushed the threaded portion up through the hole. I put another rubber washer over the threads and then twisted on the in-line hose shut-off, and hand tighten everything together so there wouldn't be any leakage. I have included some photos of the finished product.

I hope this helps anyone that has been having this dilemma.

I also read a thread somewhere that a person drilled a small hole into the top of the bobber gauge, however, that means that the tank is not a sealed unit and I really didn't want to possibly render the bobber gauge useless. Also, the hose shut-off has a large opening that allows the air to escape much faster than a little hole in the top of the bobber gauge.