Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

[13crazyhorse]

Got an 86 Four Winns 245 Vista w/80 gallon fuel tank. I drained all the gas out this winter as the boat had been sitting a few years. Put in 20 gallons fresh gas the gauge reads empty. Actually a hair above empty. When I turn the ignition key on the gauge drops below the empty mark equivalent to like 1/16 tank. When I turn the key off the needle slowly goes back up to a hair over empty. Pink wire going to the center of the sender and a black ground. When I ground out the pink gauge pegs full. Any ideas? Is the next step pull out the sender and manually operate it? Thanks for any input.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

The most common sender should read 240 ohms Empty, and near 33 Ohms Full.
If you know the tank is full and the sender measures less than 50 ohms.
The problem is not IN the sender.

Rule #2 = When it doesn't make any sense, the problem is the ground.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Ayuh,.... Generally speakin', boat gas gauges are only good for "About" how much fuel ya got,...

If you want more accurate, go ahead, 'n pull the sender, ya might get it closer, or not....
It's adjusted by bendin' the arm...

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Well... 20 gallons should give ya 1/4 tank in an 80 gallon tank.I'd say the guadge was not right before. You can pull the sender,bend the arm to read 1/4 tank and while you are at it test it with an ohm meter,it should change ohm's smoothly throughout it's range. If it's jumpy it needs a new one. Also,measure the depth of the tank,raise the float to that height and see if it reads full,then ya are pretty close to being calibrated.
Grub

 

[13crazyhorse]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Thanks for the info. Tomorrow I'll pull the sender and have a look at it. I want it to be as close to the truth as possible. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Depending on where the sender is, put the bow up or down to change the fuel level at the sender.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

The "Truth" about fuel Gauges;


If you are on a trailer, Crank the bow up and down.
If on the water, walk fore and aft to get the fuel to "Slosh'"
If the gauge starts to move, you may not have a problem.

 

[13crazyhorse]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Well first I jacked the trailer up and down and it didn't seem to make any difference. Then I pulled the sender out and manually raised the float into a pretty high position. I turned the key on and the gauge read 3/4. So I would assume the sender is working. I put it back in and turned it slightly just in case the float was catching on something. I turned the key on and it goes down again actually a little more than it did before. The gauge has empty 0/4 then 1/2 and then 4/4 full. There is about 1/4 increment under the 0/4 with a gas pump and another 1/4 increment above the 4/4 mark. Now when I turn the key on the needle goes halfway down between the o/4 and the gas pump? I don't understand why the gauge goes down below empty seems backwards. I've never had the boat in the water and will this weekend so I guess I'll see what happens then. It ran out of gas while I had it on the hose this week and the gauge read 0/4 so I don't think that lower portion is like a reserve I don't know why the needle goes below that now after adding 20 gals of gas.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Some questions...

When the sender was out, where was the fuel in the tank?
The sender end or the other end?
Which end of the tank is the sender located?

Does the sender even reach the bottom of the tank in the down position?
Some installations are purposely designed to be very pessimistic.
Reading empty in with a quarter tank remaining is better than running dry while still indicating 1/4!

When cycling the float up and down, did the gauge follow from below Empty up to Full?

Does the Sender's Float actually Float?
Some will get fuel soaked and sink.

What is the Make and Model of the gauge and sender?
Is the sender the "Float on a Swing arm", (Assumed)
or the "Float on a Stick" style? (Modern Style)

 

[Augoose]

Re: Fuel Gauge/Sender Issue

Sorry I don't have any recommendations but I do have a question about your screen name-any connection with Crazyhorse Troop of 3/7 cav?