From 07e4a2dafe248280b5610f8c7d09b0f30b530f54 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Bradley Taunt Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:41:25 -0400 Subject: Initial modifications to rebuilt only changed files based on mod date, performance updates --- .../posts/over-engineering-an-oil-tank/index.html | 83 ++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 83 insertions(+) create mode 100644 build/posts/over-engineering-an-oil-tank/index.html (limited to 'build/posts/over-engineering-an-oil-tank/index.html') diff --git a/build/posts/over-engineering-an-oil-tank/index.html b/build/posts/over-engineering-an-oil-tank/index.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6dab39b --- /dev/null +++ b/build/posts/over-engineering-an-oil-tank/index.html @@ -0,0 +1,83 @@ + + + + + + + + Over-Engineering an Oil Tank Gauge + + + + + + + +
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Over-Engineering an Oil Tank Gauge

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2020-09-09

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I almost went down the path of investing a huge amount of time and effort into fixing a stuck oil fuel tank float-gauge in my house. Recently, the float mechanism became stuck and permanently displayed empty regardless of how much fuel was in the tank - not ideal. It’s a 20 year-old tank, so I wasn’t surprised that the float finally gave out.

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Being the wannabe tinkerer that I am, a light bulb went off in my head and I started thinking on how to incorporate some ultrasonic system to display the accurate fuel reading digitally. Obviously my first thought was just to replace the float gauge with a new one and be done with it. That didn’t sound very fun though.

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I briefly looked at other similar projects and started brainstorming the best way I would implement this for my own situation. The best option I came across seemed to be this: DIY Ultrasonic Fuel Gauge / Level Sensor

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An ultrasonic system with a cool mini display sounded pretty rad - much cooler than just replacing the broken gauge with a new float arm. So it was settled.

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My oil think-tank

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I quickly thought through my options in my head before jumping too far into things (and even included a “poor-mans” temperature strip option):

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SolutionCostTime
Ultrasonic Gauge$40-50~2-3 hours
New Float Gauge$25-30~45 minutes
Temperature Strips$10~2 minutes
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My mind was still set on building and implementing the ultrasonic option. It would be a great learning experience at the very least!

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So, before I ordered any parts or started designing a case that would house this new super-cool device, I went to investigate/remove the float gauge to get a better look at the damage. With the help of some penetrating oil (the original installer went crazy with the pipe dope) and my trusty wrench, I opened up the gauge cap, partly lifting the float from the tank. Right away I noticed that the float and shaft were slightly stuck together in one small area. I poked it with my finger.

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The float set itself back into the correct position. It was fixed.

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How could I have been so dumb. I was so excited about building something that I jumped into implementation before fully realizing the problem. Talk about a metaphor for web dev, am I right?

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Overthinking simple problems

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I can’t speak for all designers / developers out there, but I catch myself (far more often than I’d like to admit) over-engineering a solution because of some perceived notion that it is the “best” option. Most of the time it isn’t actually better, it just seems more fun.

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Now don’t get me wrong, fun is a good thing most of the time. It’s just that some instances call for the quickest, cleanest, easiest solution in the name of efficiency - just be sure to have fully explored the problem first.

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Final decision

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So I ended up doing nothing. I simply re-threaded the cap and placed the float back inside the tank. I know I saved myself time and money, but I can’t help but feel like I failed…

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Just like in the world of software, it’s best to avoid over-engineering simple problems.

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