Fuel gauge install

[Rbyham]

I installed a new Moeller 13 gallon tank a year ago. Never got around to adding a gauge. I can open a lazarette and see line on side of tank if I need to check for gas. I am thinking it is time to install a real gauge. Electrical being my weakest knowledge area can others here guide me in terms of type of gauge and installation? Will any marine gauge work and is there anything tricky about wiring? The tank came complete with sending unit.

[edwardc]

The gauge must be matched to the sending unit.

For example if you have the Moeller Marine Electric Universal Fuel Tank Sending Unit, it has a resistance range of 32 to 240 Ohms. This would be a good match for this Moeller Marine Electric Dash Mounted Fuel Gauge, which works with a sensor that has a range of 33 - 240 Ohms.

[TomG]

I did this task this past summer and here is what I found out. Almost all of the marine gauges bought in the USA will work fine with the tanks sold in the USA. There are like three "standards", one is a USA standard that works as Ed mentioned from 32 to 240 Ω, there is a European standard and a Yamaha specific standard that work on different resistances. Wiring a fuel gauge is very straightforward.

[Rbyham]

Thanks guys... Just what I was looking for

[romantic comedy]

Also, remember that most tanks are not a regular shape, so the gauge will not be correct. It will only tell the height of the fuel, and not the amount remaining.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Originally Posted by romantic comedy

Also, remember that most tanks are not a regular shape, so the gauge will not be correct. It will only tell the height of the fuel, and not the amount remaining.

Also consider the dead space in the area that the pickup tube is in.

TRUE GRIT

[mrskemp]

I know this post is 6 months old, but I am curious if anyone has added a fuel level sending unit to a stainless steel tank. I am worried about how to cut into a tank that already has had gas in it. Any suggestions so I don't blow myself up from the spark of a hole saw igniting fumes?

Thanks.

[The Garbone]

I would pull the tank, drain it and fill it with water. It is how I had a broken tab welded back on my motorcycle tank. Good chance to clean the crud out of the bottom of the tank.

[BunnyPlanet169]

Originally Posted by mrskemp

I know this post is 6 months old, but I am curious if anyone has added a fuel level sending unit to a stainless steel tank. I am worried about how to cut into a tank that already has had gas in it. Any suggestions so I don't blow myself up from the spark of a hole saw igniting fumes?

Thanks.

Don't. Just don't. This is a Darwin Award waiting to happen.

I use a stick for fuel level....

[TomG]

Originally Posted by mrskemp

I know this post is 6 months old, but I am curious if anyone has added a fuel level sending unit to a stainless steel tank. I am worried about how to cut into a tank that already has had gas in it. Any suggestions so I don't blow myself up from the spark of a hole saw igniting fumes?

Thanks.

If you have an access panel (many tanks do), you could remove it and mount the sender there. I would never drill into a gasoline tank in the boat that had any gas vapor in it.

[romantic comedy]

Leave it in place and fill with water. Drill away. Might be tricky getting the shavings out.

[67c&ccorv]

Old school mechanics would run the exhaust pipe into the tank opening - filling the tank with exhaust gas would prevent ignition of fuel vapor.

But I wouldn't recommend it - as Bunny said; "it's a Darwin award waiting to happen".

[keithems]

Originally Posted by TomG

I did this task this past summer and here is what I found out. Almost all of the marine gauges bought in the USA will work fine with the tanks sold in the USA. There are like three "standards", one is a USA standard that works as Ed mentioned from 32 to 240 Ω, there is a European standard and a Yamaha specific standard that work on different resistances. Wiring a fuel gauge is very straightforward.

any diagram that shows all connections from fuel tank [sender, grounds, etc] to the gauge on the panel would be helpful.

i had problems with the panel last summer and in fooling with it i lost all gauge readings. now have gotten oil pressure and temp back; but fuel is pegged at full. i don't care much about the ammeter...may be inop and likely i'll replace it with a voltmeter. usually just using a-4 to get in and out of harbor....so no real need to see electrical loads...but obviously i care -- a lot--about oil press, temp, and FUEL.

i have a c&c 30 with the 4 instrument cockpit gauge panel

[jcwright]

Hello.

If you are referring to a Moeller gauge and sensor (as mentioned earlier in this old thread by Ed), here is an example of installation instructions:

https://support.jamestowndistributor...ler-fuel-gauge

Hope this is relevant to your question.

Jack.

[keithems]

i'll try it

pretty complicated

i've had this boat since 2007 and never had a problems or had to give it a 2nd thought

so i really, just need to know if the wires which are already there and connected [confirmed tonite] are in the proper places.

i think so, so tomorrow i'll pull the float and sender....maybe they have to be replaced.

i don't know what brand etc. -- probably the original that c & c yachts installed when this boat was built in 1976.

[Al Schober]

Me thinks you're going overboard with this. My Tartan 30 had direct access for a stick through the fill hole. I calibrated the stick and it served well for 30 years!
You've said you can see the fuel level through the side of the tank. Just empty the tank then mark it as you fill it. Presto, a calibrated gauge!

[sastanley]

Same here. I put in a Moeller poly tank in 2009. It is translucent, and the fuel level is readily visible when I lift the hatch in the quarterberth..the biggest problem is moving the beer cooler out of the way to lift the hatch (coolest spot on the boat!)
To be a little more serious...these boats and motors require a bit of common sense and planning. I always expect and plan 1 hour per gallon, but in reality my C-30 burns a bit less...so, with my 17 gallon tank I sneak a peak (before beer is in the cooler!) every 5 hours of run time or so to see if it is time to bring down a jerry can or stop at a fuel station on the next trip.

[Dave Neptune]

On my Volador I to used a "dip stick". My tank tapered deeper from my access through the filler so I "T-eed off the fuel line" to bleed the fuel from the mechanical pump into a gas can until the engine ran out of gas. I then replaced the fuel a gallon at a time until it registered on my dip stick which was just under 2 gallons. I calibrated the stick from there in 5 gallon increments until it was full. I used that stick for 34 years and sold it with the boat. There was never a gage installed nor a place for a gage on the factory tank.

It would be easier to do and calibrate with an electric pump.

Dave Neptune

[keithems]

Originally Posted by Al Schober

Me thinks you're going overboard with this. My Tartan 30 had direct access for a stick through the fill hole. I calibrated the stick and it served well for 30 years!
You've said you can see the fuel level through the side of the tank. Just empty the tank then mark it as you fill it. Presto, a calibrated gauge!

never said that.

can't see anything inside the tank...

fuel gauge always worked in prior years....wire to sender was frayed, so i replaced it and reattached the ground wire....no joy so far...

[Al Schober]

Correct. Rbyham said it in the original post!