Another electrical question - hopefully simple...

[Chris & Lenore]

I like using the fuel gauge when refuelling. I know that when it ticks up to full, the tank is as full as I want it.

Problem is that it's wired to the engine key switch. Our switch is just a simple off/on with a separate starter button.
But with the engine off and the switch on, the oil pressure alarm screams its head off.

I ended up wiring it to the supply side of the key switch so its on whenever the starter has power.

When refuelled, I just turn the start battery selector to "off" so there is no drain.

But, it appears a lot of people like things wired so they don't have to mess with the battery selectors all the time. On my other thread, several people said they just leave the starter connected to the house bank all the time.

If I did that, then my fuel gauge would always be live.

Just curious what other people do? Seems like a key switch with an "accessory" setting (like a car) would be the best answer.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Maine Sail]

I like using the fuel gauge when refuelling. I know that when it ticks up to full, the tank is as full as I want it.

Problem is that it's wired to the engine key switch. Our switch is just a simple off/on with a separate starter button.
But with the engine off and the switch on, the oil pressure alarm screams its head off.

I ended up wiring it to the supply side of the key switch so its on whenever the starter has power.

When refuelled, I just turn the start battery selector to "off" so there is no drain.

But, it appears a lot of people like things wired so they don't have to mess with the battery selectors all the time. On my other thread, several people said they just leave the starter connected to the house bank all the time.

If I did that, then my fuel gauge would always be live.

Just curious what other people do? Seems like a key switch with an "accessory" setting (like a car) would be the best answer.

Thanks,

Chris

That or just install an engine panel mounted switch to temporarily kill the buzzer. Hang the fuel key on it while filling and you will remember to flip if back on. This switch will also work for bleeding and such..

 

[Benny17441]

If the buzzer is your only problem throw a rag or heavy towel over it to muffle the sound while you refuel.

 

[Rick486]

Or.....buy one of these whistle fittings that go into the vent line on the fuel tank. The thing whistles until the air is gone from the tank....i.e. full. Works like a charm and uses no electrical power at all......

 

[hewebb]

I have a small bus bar on the house battery that I have wired a couple of items to that I want to run without turning the batteries on. The idea started with an automatic bilge pump. They have in-line fuses.

 

[ALNims]

Hunter uses a digital gauge that is always connected to power(unless you open the circuit breaker) with little drain on power.

 

[Ken Cross]

I have my warning horn running through a switch. Just remember to select it back on when you are finished. It's unusual for me to select it off however. Originally my boat came with an electromechanical buzzer. I replaced it with a modern sonalert.

 

[seadaddler]

Don't

I would not change it and if you forget than what,I fuel up
and listen for the sound to change and than turn on switch
once or twice to check full or not and most gauges are not very accurate any way and will say it's full but not really.
I put the fuel wipe rag the fuel guy gives next to the vent or fill spout
just in case.
Nick

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Just curious what other people do? Seems like a key switch with an "accessory" setting (like a car) would be the best answer.

That's exactly what I installed after the first fill-up when I bought the boat. The replacement "ACC - OFF - IGN" switch is wired so that only the fuel gauge receives power in the ACC position. I switch to the IGN position to activate all alarms and for starting. Looked at a number of switches until I found one that matched the original switch for hole size.

I'm now able to watch the gauge as the tank is filling without listening to the oil pressure and sea water flow alarms.

 

[slaume]

My engine panel has a toggle switch for the buzzer. I turn it off when starting the engine as well as when fueling. With the buzzer screaming away it is much harder to hear what the engine is doing, during start up and it would drive me crazy while fueling.

The thing is loud enough to wake me up or be heard anywhere on the boat and that is a good thing, Steve.

 

[Ron20324]

Why not do something that is not in a critical circuit- like to turn ON the fuel guage?- maybe in a breaker position or somewhere down below?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Fuel gauge switch

Just curious what other people do?

Chris, most fuel stations request that you turn everything off before you fuel. So, one way to know you're full is to learn what your fuel consumption is, which totally eliminates the need or use of the fuel gauge.

I've kept a spreadsheet of my fuel use, and for the past 16 years it's pretty much 0.5 gallons per hour.

You should also know your fuel consumption for passage planning purposes anyway.

If I were doing your gauge/buzzer, I'd leave the buzzer always active and put the switch in the fuel gauge wiring, but then you wouldn't have everything off as requested by the fueling stations. I know, I know, it's not gasoline, it's diesel and doesn't burn, but let;s not go there, shall we? :cry:

 

[Chris & Lenore]

That's exactly what I installed after the first fill-up when I bought the boat. The replacement "ACC - OFF - IGN" switch is wired so that only the fuel gauge receives power in the ACC position. I switch to the IGN position to activate all alarms and for starting. Looked at a number of switches until I found one that matched the original switch for hole size. I'm now able to watch the gauge as the tank is filling without listening to the oil pressure and sea water flow alarms.

Bingo! That seems the best to me since:
- I don't want to add yet another switch (easier to just switch the battery selector off, like what I've been doing)
- the alert tone is too loud to throw a towel over
- my key switch is on its last legs anyway

The only pain will be finding a waterproof key switch that'll fit the Yanmar panel

And (of course) warmer temperatures...

Chris

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The only pain will be finding a waterproof key switch that'll fit the Yanmar panel

And (of course) warmer temperatures...

Chris

Take a look at marine switches under section C3 in the attached catalogue.

The one I used was the M-712-09. I don't know if you'll be lucky enough to have one of these switches fit your Yanmar panel.

Here on the Wet Coast, we're just waiting for drier weather.

Good luck with the switch and a Happy New Year.