373 fuel gauge

Rick I · Oct 14, 2014

My 393 gauge is the same. I've learnt to read it. Just takes time. Every sailboat I've had it's been like that. One trip down the Waterway where it's mostly motoring and you get to understand the gauge.

DougM · Oct 14, 2014

Newport Bob said:
Anyone tried to get a "calibration" of the fuel gauge?
Due to the shape of the tank my gauge sits above the full mark until many gallons are used then rapidly starts moving toward empty. Have tried to use engine hours and an average consumption along with gallons to fill. This doesn't really work due to differing gph with rpms and not really knowing when tank is full (guessing with noise and diaper under vent to preclude fuel spill).
Gallons used or remaining when gauge moves off full?
When at 3/4 etc?

Thanks,
Bob

Same issue with the tank in my 323. With its 17 gallon tank, the gauge needle doesn't come off the full peg until seven gallons are used. You really can't go by engine hours or clock hours because wind, current, and chop, as well as number of people aboard, all make a little difference. Over time, I have just filled up at different fuel gauge indicated levels and kept track of the number of gallons. From that, a little graph can be drawn showing the gallons at different points between full and empty. I have been a little timid about charting actual numbers below 1/4 tank though. (When the engine quits, the tank is probably empty).
If the tank wasn't so hard to access, a sight glass or even a dipstick would be a good alternative.

helmfam · Oct 14, 2014

Bob, Thanks for this topic. Our 373 has been pinned at full the whole season, since the first of May, and while we can't take our boat out every weekend, I was finding it hard to believe that we had used no fuel at all this year. Certainly is a bit of a problem since before haul out it is recommended that we have our tank at about 7/8. Once the needle moves I will make a note of how many gallons to fill the tank and re-post my findings. Maybe we can get an idea of how the gauge works from pooling all of our 373 fuel data together.

Joe2954 · Oct 14, 2014

If the guage and sender are similar to my 343, it all depends on who installed and how much they trimmed off the swing arm on the float. Pull the float and measure. While you have it out you can put a ruler next to it and measure depth vs reading. Still won't give you actual fuel unless your tank is somewhat rectangular. 343 tank tapers from 10" deep down to about 3-1/2.

Bob Mack · Jan 8, 2015

Fuel gauge sender calibration.

Bob:

The sender is by VDO and I have attached their guide to calibration. Beneteau clearly did not bother to calibrate on installation. This will improve the operation significantly. I have also attached a chart I prepared after calibration, to better gauge fuel remaining. Hope these help.

Newport Bob said:
Anyone tried to get a "calibration" of the fuel gauge?
Due to the shape of the tank my gauge sits above the full mark until many gallons are used then rapidly starts moving toward empty. Have tried to use engine hours and an average consumption along with gallons to fill. This doesn't really work due to differing gph with rpms and not really knowing when tank is full (guessing with noise and diaper under vent to preclude fuel spill).
Gallons used or remaining when gauge moves off full?
When at 3/4 etc?

Thanks,
Bob

373 fuel gauge

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