H31 Fuel Tank Gauge

Benny17441 · Sep 11, 2014

How old is the fuel? When was the last time the engine was ran? Any fuel related issues? You would not want to contaminate new fuel with any bad fuel. The easiest way to determine the amount of fuel in your tank is to fill and top it off. The specs for the h31 Cherubini indicate they have an 18 gallon fuel tank. When you fill her up you should have approximately that amount. The pump will tell you how many gallons were added and you could figure out how much there was before if it is still relevant. Mind you that you should perhaps not have much more than 14 gallons of usable fuel capacity.

kloudie1 · Sep 11, 2014

Rich.. you are correct.. there is no gauge unless a previous owner installed one.. As Benny says, fuel is monitored by the engine hour meter once the tank is topped off. ohhh there won't be one of those either unless a previous owner installed it.. Most folks installed one to keep track of maint (oil changes, raw water impeller, etc) and fuel .. seems archaic but that is the way boats were delivered way back then.

Dan Johnson · Sep 12, 2014

Rich...

I gave up with the pencil/paper fuel gage (LOL!) and installed a Tempo one in my H34. It's easy enough to do and has given me peace of mind when powering on windless days. I used the hour meter and figured on about a half gallon an hour burn rate at cruising RPM (3GM30F Yanmar).

Tempo had a kit that included a sender with an adjustable float and a gage. I installed it when I had the tank top open to fit a clean-out port. Pix available.

Scott · Sep 12, 2014

no hour meter, no guage. Log ~engine hours every trip. after 26 years, have never had a problem. burn rate ~1/2 gal/hr. keep tank >half full.

wufibugs · Sep 12, 2014

I've got an 86. Do have an hour meter installed in an add-on dashboard behind the sink but that is just not very satisfactory so I'm going to install an inspection port that includes a fuel gauge. I've already pumped out and removed the old fuel. Working on the tank is not a fun job because it's too large to lift out of the starboard locker. I had asked if anyone knows how high the tank is, but did not get a reply. This means you have to work on it while in the locker.
As to sleeping in the V-birth, we don't do it. When at the slip, I use a board fitted between the port side bench and the dining area, which makes a large comfortable bed [OK, the aft side sleeper has to crawl across the bed to get to the head, but . . .]. I am working on creating a sectioned hinged board that can be used when away from the slip.

Mark Nooney · Sep 15, 2014

I installed this unit and I am very happy with it. No tank intrusion and very easy to install.
https://tankedge.com/products.html

wufibugs · Sep 15, 2014

Turns out the tank was low enough to exit from the space where I removed the cabinetry behind the sink (working on new cabinets). This will make it far easier to install the inspection port, fuel sender, and modifications for fuel polishing system. I note that the fuel tank has a vent line at the rear and another fitting and line that runs to the aft injector. I assume the latter is actually a fuel return line in case of flooding? Wish I could find another one of those L-fittings with 5/16 hose barb for my fuel polishing return line.

bobmorning · Sep 22, 2014

Install an hour meter for piece of mind. Go to ebay and pick one up. I got one from China direct for $7. I installed mine in the engine compartment on the port wall, connect the 12 v positive lead to the connection lug on the alternator that has 12v on when the engine is running. Use a volt meter to test which alternator lug it is (I forget and I'm not near the boat now).

The 84 Hunter 31 I own burns 1/3 gal/hr at 2200 rpm. Tank holds 20 gals, I know this because I pulled the tank last year to clean it and verified the capacity.

If you have the plastic tank do this:
To check the fuel level, go down below in the equipment locker where the tank is and use a very bright flashlight and hold it up to the long side of the tank then look at the tank from the side with the shorter side (width). You should be able to discern the fluid level by the slight change in brightness where the liquid level is. The plastic allows enough light to shine through to see the level.