I have head lots of talk and seen info on installing gas gauges. But how about Diesel?...I am tired of moving everything out of the way to pull the dipsticks and check my tanks. Has anyone installed a fuel gauge on the deisel tanks? and if so how tough is it?? I fully understand they will not be acurate while sailing because of heeling. however a good look before starting the engine would be well worth the effort. thanks Rob
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I have a nice fuel gauge attached to my diesel tank which I've never seen work. I asked the mechanic and he said it's likely the float thing, inside the tank, and showed me the screws to get at and remove it. The screws are nearly impossible to reach and he said they are usually keyed specifically to each hole. A real pain to replace. As much as I really wanted a working fuel gauge, I decided to just keep the tank nearly full all the time to avoid removing the float. I'd love to hear about other options, though, and I'd love to fix that gauge. dave
Replaced guage and sender on mine
Hello, A few years ago my guage died(or so I thought). I replaced the guage, but the new one (while prettier) did not fix the problem. I then replaced the sending unit, which did solve my problem. It was not hard to replace the sending unit, but it was difficult getting into a position to replace the sending unit. On the 81' Hunter 30, you have to lie on your side in the starboard cockpit locker and reach over to the top of the tank. The tank is in the middle of the boat under the pedistal. There was only about 1 foot of verticle space to work with. What I found as far as tips and tricks: - The sending unit I bought came from West Marine, it seems to work fine. - The sending unit has 5 screws that hold it to the tank in a star pattern like lug nts on a wheel. It seemed that the 5 screws on my sending unit would only match up with the holes in the tank in 1 of the 5 possible positions (i.e. the holes are not evenly spaced). They looked evenly spaced and they could be, but I tried several times after I found the position that worked, and I could only get it to work in one position. - Be VERY cafeful when you are attaching the sending unit wire. I removed the nut to put the wire on the sending unit, and then realized as I watched the rod drop into the tank, that the nut I removed was the nut that held the sending unit to the screw in plate. Getting the sending unit out of the tank was not fun. - Other than that, it is a pretty simple 2 wire (power and ground) installation.
Hello, A few years ago my guage died(or so I thought). I replaced the guage, but the new one (while prettier) did not fix the problem. I then replaced the sending unit, which did solve my problem. It was not hard to replace the sending unit, but it was difficult getting into a position to replace the sending unit. On the 81' Hunter 30, you have to lie on your side in the starboard cockpit locker and reach over to the top of the tank. The tank is in the middle of the boat under the pedistal. There was only about 1 foot of verticle space to work with. What I found as far as tips and tricks: - The sending unit I bought came from West Marine, it seems to work fine. - The sending unit has 5 screws that hold it to the tank in a star pattern like lug nts on a wheel. It seemed that the 5 screws on my sending unit would only match up with the holes in the tank in 1 of the 5 possible positions (i.e. the holes are not evenly spaced). They looked evenly spaced and they could be, but I tried several times after I found the position that worked, and I could only get it to work in one position. - Be VERY cafeful when you are attaching the sending unit wire. I removed the nut to put the wire on the sending unit, and then realized as I watched the rod drop into the tank, that the nut I removed was the nut that held the sending unit to the screw in plate. Getting the sending unit out of the tank was not fun. - Other than that, it is a pretty simple 2 wire (power and ground) installation.
Why Bother?
Rob,, Why bother with either a dipstick or a gauge. The gauge will end up going south on you pretty soon, anyway. You'll note that there are many posts on replacing them. Assuming you have an operating engine hour meter, or can keep track of engine usage, just find out how much fuel you use in an hour and then you'll know what's left in your tank. It only takes a week or a month or two to first fill up your tank, use it, then refill it. Calculate the average use, and you you'll never need a gauge or a dipstick again. Stu
Rob,, Why bother with either a dipstick or a gauge. The gauge will end up going south on you pretty soon, anyway. You'll note that there are many posts on replacing them. Assuming you have an operating engine hour meter, or can keep track of engine usage, just find out how much fuel you use in an hour and then you'll know what's left in your tank. It only takes a week or a month or two to first fill up your tank, use it, then refill it. Calculate the average use, and you you'll never need a gauge or a dipstick again. Stu
Why Bother #2
Fuel gauges and senders seldom work and are inaccurate when they do. The one in our Ben 321 is gone and has been replaced with something more useful. Estimate your fuel consumption, fill the tank, then keep track of hours. Your estimate of fuel remaining will be far more accurate than any gauge. Jon McClain s/v Parrot Tales, B321
Fuel gauges and senders seldom work and are inaccurate when they do. The one in our Ben 321 is gone and has been replaced with something more useful. Estimate your fuel consumption, fill the tank, then keep track of hours. Your estimate of fuel remaining will be far more accurate than any gauge. Jon McClain s/v Parrot Tales, B321
Fuel Gauges
Motor Homes have senders that stick to the outside of the holding tanks. They use them on holding tanks and water tanks. I've never seen one fail.
Motor Homes have senders that stick to the outside of the holding tanks. They use them on holding tanks and water tanks. I've never seen one fail.
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