Fuel tank gage

[Old Sailor 2]

I have searched the posts to see if I could find much about fuel tank gages. The only thing I find is that most if not all do not work. I have been monitoring my engine use in my log book and note the ocassion of tank fill. At the same time I look at the fuel gage (no electrical is available that I can see) on my Hunter P42 and I have one of the most efficient engines known to man because in my last several hours of use I have not consumed any fuel. Of course my gage is broken. does anyone have suggestions or ideas on gages that either work or ways to repair a gage? Tank level would be nice to know in addition to number of hours of engine use. Thanks !!

 

[Sailgunner]

It is likely a Wema gage. Contact them and they can help you. They are great to work with. I replaced two of my water tank sensors.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

It is likely a Wema gage. Contact them and they can help you. They are great to work with. I replaced two of my water tank sensors.

I will give them a shout. thanks!

 

[Steve Dion]

I had a manual gauge on my Hunter Vision 36. It was very difficult to read. I changed over to an electric WEMA unit. It was a direct replacement for the manual one. I ran wires to the bulkhead where I wanted the new electric gauge and wired it into the ignition circuit. It is active when the key is in the on position.

The gauge and sending unit are less than $100.

If I can wire it, so can you.

 

[Rick]

Concur. My stock guage was crapola. Switched over to a Wema sending unit and guage and although I keep up with the tach, it's great piece of mind.

 

[shipwreck66]

After 2 years I finally replaced my sending unit so, perhaps, I would know what was in the tank. I was irritated after 3 months when the needle had barely moved, so I nervously topped the tank off. It was only down 2 gal. With an 18 gal. tank I just can't bring myself to allow 6 months to pass before the gauge makes a noticeable movement. 10 years from now I'll probably still be topping the tank off every couple months out of habit.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

After 2 years I finally replaced my sending unit so, perhaps, I would know what was in the tank. I was irritated after 3 months when the needle had barely moved, so I nervously topped the tank off. It was only down 2 gal. With an 18 gal. tank I just can't bring myself to allow 6 months to pass before the gauge makes a noticeable movement. 10 years from now I'll probably still be topping the tank off every couple months out of habit.

Good point. It could be that I am used to my car's consumption and not the boat's so I might not be using that much fuel in the in's and out's from the marina. I, like you, just want to know. I have nightmares about running out of fuel because of my own stupidity or lack of knowledge so belts and suspenders it is for me!

 

[Old Sailor 2]

I had a manual gauge on my Hunter Vision 36. It was very difficult to read. I changed over to an electric WEMA unit. It was a direct replacement for the manual one. I ran wires to the bulkhead where I wanted the new electric gauge and wired it into the ignition circuit. It is active when the key is in the on position.

The gauge and sending unit are less than $100.

If I can wire it, so can you.

So Steve, my tank is in the main cabin and control panel for the Yanmar is in the cockpit. Did you find it fairly easy to find a path to run the wires from the tank to the controls?

 

[Steve Dion]

OS:

I never found a need to have a fuel gauge in the cockpit. It is not quite like a vehicle that I can take a trip and need to fill up 2 times per day.

When I am going on a trip I check my log & the gauge and determine if I should fuel up. Otherwise I know that I am going to use approx. .7-.8 gals/hour. I always estimate that I will use 1 gal. per hour when I am motoring for an extended trip (assuming all motoring).

I mounted the fuel gauge in an area behind the engine compartment on a bulkhead. This is also where my hour meter is located so I can check both of them at the same time. This also ment that I was going to have a short run from the ignition switch.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

OS:

I never found a need to have a fuel gauge in the cockpit. It is not quite like a vehicle that I can take a trip and need to fill up 2 times per day.

When I am going on a trip I check my log & the gauge and determine if I should fuel up. Otherwise I know that I am going to use approx. .7-.8 gals/hour. I always estimate that I will use 1 gal. per hour when I am motoring for an extended trip (assuming all motoring).

I mounted the fuel gauge in an area behind the engine compartment on a bulkhead. This is also where my hour meter is located so I can check both of them at the same time. This also ment that I was going to have a short run from the ignition switch.

I got ya. sounds perfect. Thanks again

 

[Dan Johnson]

Old Sailor...

I put a Tempo sender in my fuel tank and a gage in my cockpit over five years ago and have been very satisfied with the performance of them. Here's a pic of the tank top-the small silver thing by the fill hose is the sender unit (the other big thing is a Seabuilt clean-out port).

The second pic is of the fuel gage in a cockpit cubby, next to the filter vacuum gage. The switch between them activates the gage when checking so it doesn't draw current all the time while sailing.

Hope these are informative for you...

 

[Old Sailor 2]

I put a Tempo sender in my fuel tank and a gage in my cockpit over five years ago and have been very satisfied with the performance of them. Here's a pic of the tank top-the small silver thing by the fill hose is the sender unit (the other big thing is a Seabuilt clean-out port).

The second pic is of the fuel gage in a cockpit cubby, next to the filter vacuum gage. The switch between them activates the gage when checking so it doesn't draw current all the time while sailing.

Hope these are informative for you...

Thanks Dan. Very informative. I am motivated to git er done! Sandy