fuel gauge

[noelm]

HI i have a boat with dual tanks and it has quicksilver fuel gauges, one has died and is not available anymore, does anyone know if an OMC one will be calibrated the same? there is no way to adjust the gauge in any way and the fuel tank and sender unit is glassed under the floor.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: fuel gauge

Are you sure it's the gauge and not the sender? Use this page for the fuel gauge troubleshooting guide to determine which is at fault. It's not so much if it's OMC or Merc but the gauge and the sender resistance has to match Fuel Gauge Troubleshooting

 

[noelm]

Re: fuel gauge

it is the gauge, have done all testing as well as swapping with the other gauge, it is dead, I will buy two new ones so they match but I am not too sure of calibration between brands/models

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: fuel gauge

As per the link I gave above the majority (not all) of all fuels senders/gauge are in the 240 ohm (empty) to 33 ohm (full range. Check the back of your gauge to see if it says anything. If you could get to the sender sometimes they put a label on the tank indicating the ohm range as well.

 

[ed/il]

Re: fuel gauge

Perhaps you could wire both tanks to one gauge. Flip a swich to go from one tank to the other.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: fuel gauge

Great idea ed. <br /><br />Just go to radio shack and get a SPDT toggle switch; no fancy requirements as you have 12v max and milliamperes of current. Wire the inputs from the tanks to the outer terminals and the gauge low side (-) to the center.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Ranger01]

Re: fuel gauge

as far as i knew the gauges didnt have as much to do with the reading as the sending unit. as long as you give whom ever you buy your gauges from the info from your particular gauge, or take it to them, then you should be able to get new ones with out a hassle. or you could use the switch idea, though there would be a dead gauge or hole in your helm. Good luck

 

[Texasmark]

Re: fuel gauge

Sending units usually die as you have a moving arm that rubs against resistance material. Any vibration, and boats, tractors, and pickups have plenty, will, over time, wear a hole in the resistance material. Once that happens, your fuel level info is useless. BTDT many times.<br /><br />Mark