Question about fuel gauges / sending units..

[SynPDX]

Hello,

I have a Bayliner Capri 1952 (year 1998)

I need to replace my gauges, four of them don't work so I'm going to purchase a new set. How do you prevent the fuel gauge from going all over the place due to fuel 'sloshing' in the tank?

Is there a special sending unit I can buy?

Thanks!

-Pete

 

[jhebert]

Is there a special [fuel tank level] sending unit I can buy [that reduces the effect of fuel tank sloshing]?

http://www.centroidproducts.com/data.htm

http://www.wemausa.com/

 

[tpenfield]

I assume that your fuel tank does not have sufficient baffles to prevent sloshing . . .. . Some of the better fuel gauges have dampening to filter out rapid changes in level, that you would get with fuel sloshing around. You will probably want to do a bit of research as to the best gauges to get for the situation.

 

[Silvertip]

Replacing all gauges because four of them don't work seems a bit drastic. Have you proven the gauges are bad and the problem does not lie elsewhere. Not knowing all of the details, I would wager that after the gauges are replaced you still have four non-functional gauges.

 

[SynPDX]

I really, REALLY like this gauge set.... The current fuel sending unit has a sticky float, I know this because I pulled it and checked it out.... I will need to replace the sending unit and will do so when I get the new gauges...

Does anyone have advice on sending units that may help prevent the fuel gauge from rapid movement due to fuel "sloshing"? Are all fuel sending units based on floats? Is it the sending unit, or the gauge that will help prevent against dramatic needle movement on the gauge itself?

Thanks!!!

 

[kjsAZ]

There's a simple thing you can do to slow them down: put a large capacitor in parallel to the sender. Unfortunately the resistance of these senders is pretty low which means that you need a really large capacitor (470uF or more) to achieve it and it has to be one which is rated at least 25V (otherwise they die fast). You can also attach the capacitor in parallel to the instrument if you don't like it at the sender. Makes no difference and has the same effect. Just don't get the polarity wrong.
There are senders which do not use floats but they are usually darn expensive. The wemausa's are a good compromise and they work much better than the usual ones with a lever and a float.