Generator Fuel Tank Refill Planner
Estimate how long a generator can run before reaching a minimum reserve level and determine how frequently a tank should be refilled under the entered consumption rate.
Plan the refill interval
Fuel refill plan
How refill timing is calculated
The planner separates the physical tank capacity from the amount you are willing to consume before refilling. The reserve level is protected and is not treated as normal operating fuel.
Reserve fuel = Tank capacity × Reserve percentage
Usable fuel = Current fuel − Reserve fuel
Runtime to reserve = Usable fuel ÷ Consumption rate
Refill target
The refill quantity is based on the entered target fill level. It is calculated from the target fuel volume minus the current fuel level and is capped by the physical tank capacity.
Why a reserve matters
A reserve gives the operator a defined point at which additional fuel should be arranged rather than assuming the generator can consume the entire tank. The reserve percentage is a planning assumption and should reflect the project's operational requirements.
Limitations
- Fuel consumption is treated as constant.
- Fuel expansion, unusable tank volume and transfer losses are not separately modeled.
- The reserve percentage is user-defined.
- Actual generator fuel use should be monitored during operation.
FAQs
Can reserve be zero?
Yes. That removes the protected reserve from the arithmetic, although it may not be appropriate for a real operating plan.
Can current fuel exceed tank capacity?
No. The tool rejects that condition because it is inconsistent with the stated tank size.
Does the refill quantity account for fuel deliveries?
No. It estimates the amount required to reach the selected target fill level.
Can consumption vary by load?
Yes in reality, but this planner uses one average consumption rate.