I recently took ownership of a 1994 Hunter 40.5. Is it possible there is no way to tell how much fuel is in the tank? Other than a dipstick? There appears to be nothing. Am I missing something or is this a new problem to add to the list?
Fuel level indicator on 1994 Hunter 40.5
- Thread starter BellaTheBoat
- Start date
If you have a fuel gauge but it isn't working, and you want to know where the sender is located; the sender is on the top of the tank under the floor of the port side cockpit locker.
If you are saying that there is no fuel gauge at the console (mine is in the lower front starboard area) then I am surprised and I have no explanation for the lack of a gauge.
If you are saying that there is no fuel gauge at the console (mine is in the lower front starboard area) then I am surprised and I have no explanation for the lack of a gauge.
My fuel gauge is located above the nav table in the salon not on the pedistal console. I'm pretty sure the fuel tank would have a fuel sender unit. I'm not sure if the gauge location is a dealer option. Its hard believe they wouldn't have one for a boat that big?
Found it. It's on top of the tank. No idea if it's working. It shows full and the tank is full. I'll check again in a few weeks after I've burned a few gallons.
In my original tank, the level sensor on the top of the tank was both electrical and had a mechanical level indication. You have to nearly empty the port lazarette to see the gauge. Not very convenient! Check to see if you have two electrical leads coming from the indicator. I'd find it hard to imagine that yours does not have the leads. If you don't have an electrical gauge, you can install one at the location of your choice. You'll need two wires from the indicator on the top of the tank (16 gauge is probably fine) to the gauge (no power needed at the sensor). You'll also need a 12V source near the gauge itself. You can use a standard fuel gauge that reads from 33 to 230 ohms (I think that's the number, if not I know the 33 is correct and the upper number is 2XX). These can be bought online for something in the $30 or less range. I found the mechanical gauge on the top of the tank to be a little more accurate but the error on the electrical gauge was on the conservative side (ie it would say 1/2 left when I had a little more than 1/2 left, etc.) which is good. Its always better to have more fuel than your gauge says you have.
By the way, if your tank has not been replaced, be very mindful that the original tanks are fairly thin and the aluminum can develop pinholes. Mine did and I noted some diesel odor in the aft cabin. When I pulled the tank, there were corrosion spots the size of a pencil lead that were as thin as a wet newpaper!!!! I replaced the tank for a reasonable price getting a new thicker aluminum tank from the original manufacturer (Ezell in Florida). They'll custom make them with cleanouts, any pickup/return configuration you specify. Good people there at Ezell!