Fuel gauge for portable tanks

[22E6441]

Is there any way to hook up a dash mount fuel gauge to a portable tank?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel gauge for portable tanks

Nope...

 

[Expidia]

Re: Fuel gauge for portable tanks

I wanted to do that too. Some tanks come with a gauge but they are not very accurate and if it's in a hatch like mine is you have to pick up the cover to read it anyway and leave the wheel. So I wanted a gauge in my dash.

The better way and cheaper way to go is to keep one of those small 2 or 2.5 gal tanks on board ($10 in sears lawn and garden or auto). I can run all day and I still have a feel for how much gas is left in the tank even without a gauge.

But the spare tank is bettter than a gauge cause if you do run the 6 gal tank dry you can get pretty much get anywhere on 2.5 gal.

I've pulled up to a gas dock on fumes late in the day several times only to find they are out out gas or closed.

My Brother in law taught me that tip. He's an long time avid boater and it's one of the best tips he's given me. Nice to have that 2.5 if you are trailering and your car gets low on gas and there are no stations around!

I keep the spare in the forward hatch. It fits perfect. Also good if you get a bad tank of gas in the 6 gal tank.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Fuel gauge for portable tanks

As it turns out, I think there is a picture of a fuel gauge installed in a portable fuel tank already in iboats. Take a look here (a few pictures down). This gent has installed a couple of disconnects in the wires to the tank. Actually, I'm not so sure that this tank is totally "portable" any more. Nevertheless, take a look.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=252418

 

[Expidia]

Re: Fuel gauge for portable tanks

I was flipping through my most recent overtons catalog and I had thought of your question when I saw this item. I was going to post this for you and then I saw you just posted again.

I might look into one for myself too. Check with iboats too as overtons is usually no bargain for boating items and pricey shipping too.

I've seen them before, but they seem to me that they are designed for built in or on deck tanks.

That guy in England did hook one up on a portable tank and he did an amazing job on his rig. Nice job on that uncluttered looking dash. When I followed that thread last year I was amazed on what accessories he put on his rig, tabs, kicker bracket, etc amazing.

My concern though is it designed for a portable which does not have as flat a surface as on deck and built in?

You might want to call the manufacturer of the device and see if they recommend it for portables, before you buy one.

If it leaks on a portable you could go BOOM



http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...Gasoline&str=sending unit&merchID=1008&r=view

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fuel gauge for portable tanks

There are fuel adapters for direct site to dash gauge. If the portable has a float type mechanical gauge mounted in it, this will convert it to a sender unit.

This one is made by Moeller Marine:

Converts fuel level reading from standard direct site gauge to electric dash mounted gauge (33-240 Ohms's).
Product # 035760-10
Cross ReferenceMoeller/Tempo Cross Over: 035760-10/420110
Moeller/Scepter Part Number: 035760-10/07158

 

[Expidia]

Re: Fuel gauge for portable tanks

Here is the whole package for you for $52 with free shipping too.

And the package comes with a nice looking gauge too.

http://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Marine-Electric-Universal-Sending/dp/B000MTCRAA/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1
or this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Marine-Electric-Sending-Tanks/dp/B000MTI15K/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t