1976 Searay

[jetwhine]

Does anyone know where I can get a hold of a wireing diagram for a 1976 Searay 16 ft. runabout? My gas gauge does not work and dont think that it is wired right.

Thanks J.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Searay

trial and error, moving to electrics

 

[PondTunes]

Re: 1976 Searay

What type of engine does it have?

Most gas gauges / senders work on ohms. Either find out what type of engine she has and or find out what type of fuel gage/sending unit you have.

Does it move at all? Does it read incorrectly? Once we know a little more about the problem we can help you troubleshoot it!

See this thread for information about troubleshooting the sending unit/gauge!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=228116

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1976 Searay

If not dirty terminals, most gauges fail as a result of abrasion; the abrasion at the interface of the resistive element and the wiper arm which is connected to the float. Boats and heavy equipment are succeptable to this problem as the fuel is always sloshing around.

Mark

 

[jetwhine]

Re: 1976 Searay

Dont understand what the engine type has to do with it? Anyhow it is a merc 1500 outboard. Dont know what type of sending unit is in the tank.
The gauge does not light up and it reads 1/4 tank and does not move.
J.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1976 Searay

Ayuh,........

On the back of your Gauge,.... There'll be 2 terminals,.....
There should be 12V at the (+) terminal,+ if you ground out the (S) terminal,....
The gauge will peg out to Full..........
If it Doesn't,...... Replace the gauge....
If it Does,.........
Go to the Sending Unit on your Tank...........
There'll be 2 wires here, 1 in the Center,+ a ground attached to the edge.......
Verify that the Ground Wire is actually Grounded.........
Then,......
Ground Out the wire in the Center of the sending unit,.... The gauge should peg out to Full,........
If it Doesn't,..... The wiring running between the Gauge,+ Sending Unit is Bad.........
If it Does,....... Odds are the Sending Unit is Bad.........

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1976 Searay

Gotta be careful testing the gauge as in operation there is at least 30 ohms to limit current (last gauge I bought had the caution note in the box). Too much current and you will burn the wire open. So if you short it, just hit it like you strike a match and any deflection and you can consider it good till proven otherwise.

Mark

 

[PondTunes]

Re: 1976 Searay

Dont understand what the engine type has to do with it? Anyhow it is a merc 1500 outboard. Dont know what type of sending unit is in the tank.
The gauge does not light up and it reads 1/4 tank and does not move.
J.

Does anyone know where I can get a hold of a wireing diagram for a 1976 Searay 16 ft. runabout?

Most wiring is done based of the engine installed in the boat. IE a Mercury Outboard should have wiring found in the mercury outboard repair manual.

 

[jetwhine]

Re: 1976 Searay

Thank guys

Ive been waiting for my mercury shop manual which just arrived today and now I can see why the question was asked. I must be new??????
Now I should be able to answer my own stupid questions.
This is a great site and am glad to have found it. Lots of info and knowlegable folks.
J.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: 1976 Searay

No such thing as a dumb question!

That manual will be worth it's weight in gold to you over the years and the end up being a whole lot cheaper than randomly replacing parts when it tells you exactly what to do to troubleshoot your problems.

 

[jetwhine]

Re: 1976 Searay

I pulled the transmitter out of the tank and worked it for awhile and then hooked it up and the gauge works now. I guess it had corrosion on it.
J

 

[PondTunes]

Re: 1976 Searay

use some contact cleaner on the connections then coat them with dielectric grease and you should be good for another 20 years