The fuel gauge on our new 310 (love the boat hate commissioning) is reading incorrectly on the optomistic side to the point of being almost useless. has any one had any luck recalibrating the gauge or sender? Any advice would be most welcome. regards Malcolm
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John J.
310 fuel gauge
For the first 10-12 hours of operation our gauge didn't move at all, after that it seems to be fine. Sorry I can't be of much more help.
For the first 10-12 hours of operation our gauge didn't move at all, after that it seems to be fine. Sorry I can't be of much more help.
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Rob Orr
310 fuel guage
My fuel guage tends to hover around the 3/4 mark. The dealer's mechanic was unable to solve the problem although he made an honest effort checking the typical problem sources. One factory rep indicated that the problem may be an incompatible guage/tank size as my boat was advertised with a 27 gallon tank but was delivered with a 19 gallon tank. Another factory rep discounted this theory thinking that it was merely a sending unit malfunction. At any rate the problem is not solved. As I use the boat exclusively for cruising it is critical that I have accurate fuel information. I am also very disappointed about the smaller tank as any overnight offshore run requires jerry cans on deck. Will notify you when guage is fixed. Rob Orr
My fuel guage tends to hover around the 3/4 mark. The dealer's mechanic was unable to solve the problem although he made an honest effort checking the typical problem sources. One factory rep indicated that the problem may be an incompatible guage/tank size as my boat was advertised with a 27 gallon tank but was delivered with a 19 gallon tank. Another factory rep discounted this theory thinking that it was merely a sending unit malfunction. At any rate the problem is not solved. As I use the boat exclusively for cruising it is critical that I have accurate fuel information. I am also very disappointed about the smaller tank as any overnight offshore run requires jerry cans on deck. Will notify you when guage is fixed. Rob Orr
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Jon W.
C310 Fuel Gauge
During commissioning of our boat, I was told that the fuel gauge was more or less "stuck" because the wiring to it had been hooked up wrong, or incompletely. I didn't get a feeling that it was a calibration type problem. In any case, I was told it was fixed. In my experience using the boat, the indicated fuel level seems to drop very quickly from full, continuing to the 1/4 full level, which is as low as I've had it. The most I was able to put in was about 10 gallons? I'm not really sure, because the pump measured liters (in Canada) and I didn't keep a good record. But I do think I actually have more fuel than what is indicated, even with the smaller than advertised tank. I believe my tank is also marked at 19 Gallons capacity. I plan to keep better track of fuel usage in general, so that I can get a better feel for what the gauge is trying to tell me, and what my real range might be. I think I'm getting using about .45 gallons per hour at 6.5 knots and 1800 rpm with the prop I'm using.
During commissioning of our boat, I was told that the fuel gauge was more or less "stuck" because the wiring to it had been hooked up wrong, or incompletely. I didn't get a feeling that it was a calibration type problem. In any case, I was told it was fixed. In my experience using the boat, the indicated fuel level seems to drop very quickly from full, continuing to the 1/4 full level, which is as low as I've had it. The most I was able to put in was about 10 gallons? I'm not really sure, because the pump measured liters (in Canada) and I didn't keep a good record. But I do think I actually have more fuel than what is indicated, even with the smaller than advertised tank. I believe my tank is also marked at 19 Gallons capacity. I plan to keep better track of fuel usage in general, so that I can get a better feel for what the gauge is trying to tell me, and what my real range might be. I think I'm getting using about .45 gallons per hour at 6.5 knots and 1800 rpm with the prop I'm using.
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John J.
Gauges
It seems a number of 310 owners have had questions about fuel capacity. I have seem multiple brochures from Catalina that show different tank sizes. Previous posts show different speeds at very different tach readings. This leads me to believe most of the tachs or spedos are not very well calibrated. With our engine wide open we only show 2200-2300 RPM, this engine is listed as 3000 max. At full throttle we get a speed of about 6.0-6.2 in flat waters on an inland lake. I am currently talking to Catalina about upgradig my thru-hulls, I'll ask them about the tanks and tachs.
It seems a number of 310 owners have had questions about fuel capacity. I have seem multiple brochures from Catalina that show different tank sizes. Previous posts show different speeds at very different tach readings. This leads me to believe most of the tachs or spedos are not very well calibrated. With our engine wide open we only show 2200-2300 RPM, this engine is listed as 3000 max. At full throttle we get a speed of about 6.0-6.2 in flat waters on an inland lake. I am currently talking to Catalina about upgradig my thru-hulls, I'll ask them about the tanks and tachs.
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Jon W.
Gauge, continued.
John, I guess the listed fuel tank capacity wouldn’t be the first error ever found in Catalina’s literature. To add to my previous post, you may be right about inaccurate instrument calibration, but in my case I think my tachometer is accurate within a couple of hundred rpms or better. I know it’s not exact, because I adjusted it myself after putting in a new alternator. I did it by adjusting to 1000 rpms at idle (without engine shaking) and 3000 rpms maximum, both done in neutral. I’ve considered buying a Stewart-Warner hand held mechanical tachometer for calibration, at about $70, but I’m not sure the additional accuracy would be very useful. My speedometer is calibrated to the DGPS, post S/A, in no current, and no wind conditions, so I believe it to be very accurate. The big variable, at least in my case is the very nonstandard Autoprop. It tends to mimic an overpropped condition, though it will reduce pitch in certain highly loaded conditions. I can reach a top speed in flat water of 7.1 knots at about 2200 rpm. This is about half throttle. Maximum rpms in gear are 2650 or so at full throttle, but no increase in speed (just noise, and she unsuccessfully tries to get up on a plane). I’m assuming you have the standard two-blade prop? If that’s true, then I’m surprised you don’t show higher maximum rpms. Anxious to find out what you hear from Catalina.
John, I guess the listed fuel tank capacity wouldn’t be the first error ever found in Catalina’s literature. To add to my previous post, you may be right about inaccurate instrument calibration, but in my case I think my tachometer is accurate within a couple of hundred rpms or better. I know it’s not exact, because I adjusted it myself after putting in a new alternator. I did it by adjusting to 1000 rpms at idle (without engine shaking) and 3000 rpms maximum, both done in neutral. I’ve considered buying a Stewart-Warner hand held mechanical tachometer for calibration, at about $70, but I’m not sure the additional accuracy would be very useful. My speedometer is calibrated to the DGPS, post S/A, in no current, and no wind conditions, so I believe it to be very accurate. The big variable, at least in my case is the very nonstandard Autoprop. It tends to mimic an overpropped condition, though it will reduce pitch in certain highly loaded conditions. I can reach a top speed in flat water of 7.1 knots at about 2200 rpm. This is about half throttle. Maximum rpms in gear are 2650 or so at full throttle, but no increase in speed (just noise, and she unsuccessfully tries to get up on a plane). I’m assuming you have the standard two-blade prop? If that’s true, then I’m surprised you don’t show higher maximum rpms. Anxious to find out what you hear from Catalina.
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Malcolm
Thanks everyone
Many thanks to all that replied, I'm also very interested to hear what Catalina have to say. Malcolm
Many thanks to all that replied, I'm also very interested to hear what Catalina have to say. Malcolm
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Dave G
TACH
I'am glad to hear that I'am not the only one having problems with the gauges. So far, I only have a 3 hours on the engine, the tach shows the max rpm is 2650. The book rates it to be 3000. Currently it reads 0 since it quit working altogether this weekend. In addition my max speed show's to be only 5.75 Knts. I'am hoping this is just a calibration problem. I haven't had time to check it with my GPS. So far my fuel guage is working fine, but with only 3 hours on the engine how would I know.
I'am glad to hear that I'am not the only one having problems with the gauges. So far, I only have a 3 hours on the engine, the tach shows the max rpm is 2650. The book rates it to be 3000. Currently it reads 0 since it quit working altogether this weekend. In addition my max speed show's to be only 5.75 Knts. I'am hoping this is just a calibration problem. I haven't had time to check it with my GPS. So far my fuel guage is working fine, but with only 3 hours on the engine how would I know.
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Paul White
310 commissioning
Malcolm, I'm taking delivery of hull 111 next week at the Spit. I'd be interested in any advice you have regarding the commissioning process. I'm at paulwhite@bigpond.com or 0417 224 920 Thanks
Malcolm, I'm taking delivery of hull 111 next week at the Spit. I'd be interested in any advice you have regarding the commissioning process. I'm at paulwhite@bigpond.com or 0417 224 920 Thanks
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