I have a '84 Hunter 31 and it has a stock gas tank. I don't want to stand on my head to check my fuel level. What is the best way to install a fuel gauge.
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What I have done
I have been told and also read that the 1984 Hunter 31 with the Yanmar 13HP uses 1/2 gal per hour at 2700 RPM. I just keep track of the time that I have used it and refill every 20 24 hours. It's worked for me.
I have been told and also read that the 1984 Hunter 31 with the Yanmar 13HP uses 1/2 gal per hour at 2700 RPM. I just keep track of the time that I have used it and refill every 20 24 hours. It's worked for me.
Time to speak up.
I've never understood why some boat manufacturers leave off the fuel gauge. Can you imagine driving your car without a gauge. How about an airplane? Any vehicle? Nuts, just nuts! John, you keep track of your hours. Great! Hunter and Yanmar didn't even provide an hour meter for lots of us. We were expected to look at the fuel tank to check the level. Great, when the boat is new but fuel clouds the plastic of the tank and doesn't reveal the level anymore. And on my Ericson, which also had no gauge, the tank was aluminum. I got real good at sailing into a berth after running out of fuel. I guess these companies are just training sailors for competition, huh?
I've never understood why some boat manufacturers leave off the fuel gauge. Can you imagine driving your car without a gauge. How about an airplane? Any vehicle? Nuts, just nuts! John, you keep track of your hours. Great! Hunter and Yanmar didn't even provide an hour meter for lots of us. We were expected to look at the fuel tank to check the level. Great, when the boat is new but fuel clouds the plastic of the tank and doesn't reveal the level anymore. And on my Ericson, which also had no gauge, the tank was aluminum. I got real good at sailing into a berth after running out of fuel. I guess these companies are just training sailors for competition, huh?
Same Problem, Try This
I had the same problem with my 89' Vision 32. The top of the plasic tank was somewhat visable thru the rear seat hatch, and it had a clean out port on top. I was able to see the manufacturer's name on the tank and called them. They had a kit that fit the cleanout port perfectly. Since the rear seat hatch was pretty small, I had to have a small buddy go down and install it. I installed the fuel gauge next to the engine panel, and it nicely solved the problem.
I had the same problem with my 89' Vision 32. The top of the plasic tank was somewhat visable thru the rear seat hatch, and it had a clean out port on top. I was able to see the manufacturer's name on the tank and called them. They had a kit that fit the cleanout port perfectly. Since the rear seat hatch was pretty small, I had to have a small buddy go down and install it. I installed the fuel gauge next to the engine panel, and it nicely solved the problem.
I solved it too but I went a little farther.
A discussion is under the pictures of my fuel tanks on my web site. Oh, and also under the nav station photo's at the end of the last film strip.
A discussion is under the pictures of my fuel tanks on my web site. Oh, and also under the nav station photo's at the end of the last film strip.
Go (to) West Young Man
Jim, I'm not sure how the H-31 is laid out, I currently sail a Cherubini H-33. However, on my Watkins 27, and on my C H-33 both came with a mechanical fuel guage in the top of the tank, requiring acrobatics to be viewed. For about $40 at West I purchased a fuel tank sending unit and electric guage that replaced the existing mechanical guage. I mounted the guage inside my starboard locker to avoid drilling holes in fiberglass, works well. Easy to install.
Jim, I'm not sure how the H-31 is laid out, I currently sail a Cherubini H-33. However, on my Watkins 27, and on my C H-33 both came with a mechanical fuel guage in the top of the tank, requiring acrobatics to be viewed. For about $40 at West I purchased a fuel tank sending unit and electric guage that replaced the existing mechanical guage. I mounted the guage inside my starboard locker to avoid drilling holes in fiberglass, works well. Easy to install.
Jim, If you have never done this before
keep in mind that the guage and sending unit HAVE to match. That means same brand and type. Something about ohms law.
keep in mind that the guage and sending unit HAVE to match. That means same brand and type. Something about ohms law.
I added a fuel guage...
...to my '85 H31. It was a secondary project. I had to remove the fuel tank for cleaning. It takes a little doing, but you can get the tank out by way of the galley sink cabinet (at least on the '85). If you have never had the tank cleaned, you may be surprised at the amount of gunk accumulated in there. At any rate, once the tank was out, it was a very straight forward process to cut a hole in top of the plastic and add an aftermarket fuel guage. If you'd rather not remove the fuel tank, then I would support going with the hours approach. It is far easier to add an hour meter to the engine. The 2GMF20 consumes about 1/3 to 1/2 GPH depending on RPM. If you carry a spare jerry can of diesel (5 gal), it's a good backup in case your calculations are wrong. By the way, with an 18 gal tank, if you refill after 30 hours, you're pretty safe. Even with a fuel guage, you're not likely to run below 1/4 of a tank.
...to my '85 H31. It was a secondary project. I had to remove the fuel tank for cleaning. It takes a little doing, but you can get the tank out by way of the galley sink cabinet (at least on the '85). If you have never had the tank cleaned, you may be surprised at the amount of gunk accumulated in there. At any rate, once the tank was out, it was a very straight forward process to cut a hole in top of the plastic and add an aftermarket fuel guage. If you'd rather not remove the fuel tank, then I would support going with the hours approach. It is far easier to add an hour meter to the engine. The 2GMF20 consumes about 1/3 to 1/2 GPH depending on RPM. If you carry a spare jerry can of diesel (5 gal), it's a good backup in case your calculations are wrong. By the way, with an 18 gal tank, if you refill after 30 hours, you're pretty safe. Even with a fuel guage, you're not likely to run below 1/4 of a tank.
Easy to add a gauge
I added a gauge to my 1980 30'. It was easy. I have a metal tank that had a mechanical gauge you couldn't read with out a light and a mirror. I went to West Marine and ordered a aftermarket kit for $35 and installed it on a saturday. Mounted the gauge under the stbd lazerette and wired it to the Yanmar panel. Sending unit is easy to install if you remove the deck panel over the motor. 5 screws hold the existing one in and the electric is direct replacement. I wired it so it only works while the engine is running... but who needs to know how much diesel you have when the sails are up?! Have fun.
I added a gauge to my 1980 30'. It was easy. I have a metal tank that had a mechanical gauge you couldn't read with out a light and a mirror. I went to West Marine and ordered a aftermarket kit for $35 and installed it on a saturday. Mounted the gauge under the stbd lazerette and wired it to the Yanmar panel. Sending unit is easy to install if you remove the deck panel over the motor. 5 screws hold the existing one in and the electric is direct replacement. I wired it so it only works while the engine is running... but who needs to know how much diesel you have when the sails are up?! Have fun.
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