Diesel tank gauge not working

[xavpil]

I did my due diligence and search but no luck.
1) the gauge isn’t working. But I don’t see the two wires black and pink that are supposed to be there based on my research
2) how do I check the gas level w/o a functioning gauge
Thx all

 

[Calif. Ted]

That is not an electric gauge, it is mechanical and the needle is driven by a direct connection to a float. Size depends on the tank depth.
Mechanical - Moeller Marine

 

[xavpil]

We’ll I went ahead and unscrewed the whole thing. And the tank is full. And the gauge is mechanical indeed!!!
Thx!

 

[Davidasailor26]

As you use the engine keep track of how many hours you’ve run and how many gallons you take the next time you fill up. You might find that calculating tank level by engine hours is more accurate than the gauge.

 

[jssailem]

keep track of how many hours you’ve run and how many gallons you take

Most accurate method available to a boat skipper. Been used by sailors for eons.
Leaving this data to memory is ill advised. Write it down in a fuel log.

Even on ships like the Titanic the Chief Engineer was responsible for the fuel log (at that time coal) and reported the fuel levels to the Captain each day, usually each morning.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Do a search on fuel consumption here on this forum, and you'll find out why it's important to know.

 

[kappykaplan]

Do a search on fuel consumption here on this forum, and you'll find out why it's important to know.

 

[Benny17441]

Burn rate calculations will not only let you know how much fuel you got in the tank but also provide valued in formation for fuel range and distance during travel. Check the forum.

 

[xavpil]

As you use the engine keep track of how many hours you’ve run and how many gallons you take the next time you fill up. You might find that calculating tank level by engine hours is more accurate than the gauge.

Good idea thx!

 

[WayneH]

I created a spreadsheet to track the engine hours because the hour meter on my tachometer wasn't working when I bought the boat. I record the date, time the engine started and time it was shutdown. The spreadsheet calculates the run time, then adds it to the cumulative run time. The spreadsheet also tracks oil time, main fuel filter time, racor fuel filter time and how many hours on the HX zinc. Finally, the spreadsheet calculates total fuel used since the last fill. If I type "Full Tank" in the next column, the spreadsheet resets the current fuel usage to zero.

 

[rgranger]

Most accurate method available to a boat skipper. Been used by sailors for eons.
Leaving this data to memory is ill advised. Write it down in a fuel log.

Even on ships like the Titanic the Chief Engineer was responsible for the fuel log (at that time coal) and reported the fuel levels to the Captain each day, usually each morning.

That ended well...

 

[Parsons]

Most accurate method available to a boat skipper. Been used by sailors for eons.

@rgranger beat me to the Titanic comment, but I will chime in with the observation that it was probably not "eons" that anyone worried about fuel consumption!

 

[jssailem]

Eon...
An eon is a very long time by human standards. It can be any length of time, just as several years can be any length, depending on what one measures it against.

 

[Parsons]

Eon...
An eon is a very long time by human standards. It can be any length of time, just as several years can be any length, depending on what one measures it against.

Well Dang ... I did not think that I would get a free vocabulary lesson from Sailboat Owners! It's amazing what you can learn walking the dock. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeon
@jssailem is absolutely right, and now I know how to use this word. The geological term "eon" is just a borrowing by that science of the much older word. The spelling difference (with or without A) is just the difference in British and real English.

 

[FastOlson]

About the need to know (and record) engine hours...
There is nothing sacred about your old/ancient OEM hour meter that came with your boat's engine panel.

You can add a separate "Hobbs meter" yourself. I added one, using the 12 volt circuit that powers our lift pump. I wanted a meter that would be reliable and sturdy (and not effected by vibration and temperature change) and sourced it from Aircraft Spruce, ENM Quartz Hour Meters | Aircraft Spruce

While you can find lots of dubious brands of these on amazon, pilots demand verified quality in their parts sourcing. That was my surmise when shopping, anyhow.

And, keep a log !


( I have kept an engine log for years, perhaps even.... an eon!)