Need a new fresh water gauge

S

star302

.
Oct 8, 2013
46
Hunter 356 Connecticut
Hi,
We own a Hunter356 2002..Our gauges are on one panel and are digital and have never worked. We have tried to have them fixed and no one has been able to do that for us. The last attempt the mechanic told us he has been asked to fix these many times and they never work well..So, we are now looking for another option of gauges..Basically the fresh water gauge, as the fuel and waste tank we can clearly see..Water tank not as easy. Any suggestions and ideas for new gauge would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you for any help you can offer.

Best,
Lauri
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

.
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
More info

Which system is it,is it round with a toggle button on bottom that switches between water and waste.
I had to test it out myself and my water part worked perfect but the waste did not and after going to the manufactures web site for instructions on testing the sending units and mine were good and than found out was a bad connection on the waste side and did order a new round gauge and than the waste part worked but not very accurate but the water did work good and I also can see my waste tank and gave up with the waste part.
I am trying the unit that sticks to the out side of the waste tank but no
luck so far.
Try testing the water sending unit in the water tank.
nick
 
S

star302

.
Oct 8, 2013
46
Hunter 356 Connecticut
It is the one pictured below that came with the boat. None of the gauges work..The gauge always shows them full..We are not concerned with gas and waste, as much as fresh water...Hoping for suggestions...Thank you again!
 

Attachments

JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,830
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Level gauges have a sender and a display. The water tank is normally the easiest to monitor. I guess i wouldn't give up until i knew the problem. Then you can make a good choice if needed.
Perhaps your sender is fine and your digital display is "haywire"?

That mechanic's advice you got was really good. Geeezzz I don't know how to fix them.... errrr uhhhh... I mean "they never worked so well"

Look at the "Sender" on the water tank for information. Maybe there was a factory recall?

I replaced my 14 yr old senders when I found the floats were "water logged" ($42 each).

I found one waste tank float in same fashion ($35).

All work perfect again.

But...

There is a lot more info needed to know what to recommend.

I have one stainless and one HDPE plastic tank. What are your tanks?

What are the shapes?

What is you boat Standard meter Voltage scale US or UK? My Hunter was UK

Is there room for a more display sizes?

Jim...

PS: Check your Owner's manual too.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,830
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
the waste part worked but not very accurate
Click to expand
I used this hold tank level sensor ...
http://www.wemausa.com/sensors/level-HoldingTank.shtml#.VXiBzGDxYVs

Note the small holes to allow low debris entry and less float fouling. I also do an annual Hold tank cleaning. Flushing the vent line and tank to clear water and cleaning the sensor. My accuracy is probably to 1/8th of tank. This isn't as bad as you might think. I do 3 flushes of {full/empty} cycles with hot Lysol water. Then remove the sensor for last inspection, flush and sensor cleaning. I takes about 2 hours start to finish. Try it when it is plugged and full.:eek:

The reason I clean annually? Who wants those problems when sailing?

Jim...
 
S

star302

.
Oct 8, 2013
46
Hunter 356 Connecticut
Jim,
Our tanks are large "frosted" plastic tanks..all three the same (not size of course, just construction) (water, fuel and waste)..Our waste is easy to get to and see in back locker of boat near swim platform..We have electric fresh water and are crazy about keeping that all clean and fresh! The fresh water tank is really the only one we feel we need to have gauge/sensor for...The picture that I attached previously showing the gauge panel, has a recalebrate button..We have done that, as well as the mechanic and no luck..Anyway, definitely do not want to run out of water while sailing..Hope to find a solution for this..
 
kjretlaw

kjretlaw

.
Aug 3, 2010
150
Hunter 326 Charleston SC
I have the same gage and the sending units are metal tape on the side of the tanks. You need to calibrate for both full and empty. I replaced the holding tank and just replaced the aluminum tape on the sides of the tank and recalibrated. Works great now!
Just make sure you're on the right tank when you select calibrate, filling and draining the water tank and waste tank are easy. Not so easy for the fuel...ops
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,830
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Your tanks are HighDensityPolyEthylene (HDPE) and will allow the use of the "metal tape" on the outside. If there is no internal reference probe, then they are basically using electrical "conductance" and normally have 2 strips (some newer types have one combined). Kinda like sonar sound pings. The conductance of air versus water is significant enough to be calibrated like kjretlaw said.

This type of level sensor is HDPE tanks only. Metal tanks ground out the conductance. Double check that your metal level strip (s) are in contact with the tank sides and do the calibration he said.

Helluva lot cheaper and it is top of the line sensor. These types are not precision levels but good to at least 1/4th ( 25%) tank changes or maybe 1/8ths (12.5%).

Note: Don't ever top off a HDPE tank, they will flex and after many overfills, crack the seams. I can see mine swell like a balloon. So try 90% full, since the sensors are not too precise or visually verify your Calibration. In other words set 100% full on gauge calibration when tank is not totally full by eye ball.

Then train your mechanic.;)

Good luck...

Jim...

PS:Level sensors are heavily "damped" or respond to changes very slowly. Why? Motion of the ocean.

PSS:
We have electric fresh water
Click to expand
What the heck is that?
 
Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi

.
Mar 3, 2003
710
Hunter 356 Grand Rivers
Here is a link to,the company that can fix your problem. Peggy the Headmaster recommended these folks many years ago. I have a 2003 Hunter 356 and my water and waste works but fuel is always off, but I keep track of engine and generator hours and compute fuel from hours.

This is the fix for the Snake River gauges that came on your boat. Let us know how hard it is to change it out.

http://www.ferriellosales.com/Testimonials_Page.html
 
mz4wheeler

mz4wheeler

.
Mar 11, 2015
357
Hunter 33.5 Tacoma, WA
star302 said:
Hi,
The last attempt the mechanic told us he has been asked to fix these many times and they never work well..
Click to expand
Get another mechanic. Of course it can be fixed if you have a competent guy working on it.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,830
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Being from near "cajun country", we always used a "cajun depthfinder" in a pinch.

A Brick on a Rope

But...

Some of the new CHIRP technology and side vision sonar (perhaps beyond the needs of most sailors), must be thru hull. In addition, it must account for the heel of the boat.

The rationale was the now "15 some odd" sound frequencies are "dampen" buy hulls.
Jim...

PS: The cajun's are proud of this and not a slur. They in fact sold them as a fun joke in many Cracker Barrel gift stores.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

.
Nov 6, 2006
10,116
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
JamesG.. laughing.. yup ! AND it is dual purpose.. useful as an anchor as well !
(yes, I am of Cajun heritage)
 
R

ramblinrod

.
Jan 11, 2012
44
Ontario Yachts 38 4 Trent Port
Re: More info

Don't go to a barber to get a tooth pulled, and don't go to a mechanic to get electronics fixed.
 
A

artboas

.
Jun 1, 2009
1,847
Hunter 49 toronto
Agree about tank filling

JamesG161 said:
Your tanks are HighDensityPolyEthylene (HDPE) and will allow the use of the "metal tape" on the outside. If there is no internal reference probe, then they are basically using electrical "conductance" and normally have 2 strips (some newer types have one combined). Kinda like sonar sound pings. The conductance of air versus water is significant enough to be calibrated like kjretlaw said.

This type of level sensor is HDPE tanks only. Metal tanks ground out the conductance. Double check that your metal level strip (s) are in contact with the tank sides and do the calibration he said.

Helluva lot cheaper and it is top of the line sensor. These types are not precision levels but good to at least 1/4th ( 25%) tank changes or maybe 1/8ths (12.5%).

Note: Don't ever top off a HDPE tank, they will flex and after many overfills, crack the seams. I can see mine swell like a balloon. So try 90% full, since the sensors are not too precise or visually verify your Calibration. In other words set 100% full on gauge calibration when tank is not totally full by eye ball.

Then train your mechanic.;)

Good luck...

Jim...

PS:Level sensors are heavily "damped" or respond to changes very slowly. Why? Motion of the ocean.

PSS: What the heck is that?
Click to expand

On our 49, the tanks really distort if you fill them right up.
There is too much back pressure in the vent, and I believe the tank walls are too thin .
I only fill to 3/4 full.
 
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